Page 350 of Niccolo

Dario waited until he was sure they were gone, then turned to me slowly.

“Don’t start,” I said. “It was all part of a plan.”

“And how’s that plan going?” Dario asked angrily.

“Mmmm… yet to be determined.”

Dario shook his head in disgust. “I wasn’t going to give Severino the satisfaction of agreeing with him, but you and Iaregoing to have a long talk back at the residence.”

“I have it under control – ”

“It’s notmeyou’ll have to answer to, but our brothers. I’m sure they’ll have quite a few questions about you sleeping with Fausto’sconsigliere.”

“Oh. That.”

“Yes.That.”

“You knew about that.”

“Yes, but I didn’t expect it to be broadcast to the entireCosa Nostra.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better,Ididn’t expect it, either.”

“It does NOT make me feel better,” Dario said from behind gritted teeth, then walked out of the office.

Shit.

This plan had better fucking pay off.

Otherwise, the price I was going to have to pay was too high.

And by ‘price,’ I meant my brothers giving me the interrogation version of a colonoscopy for the next two hours.

Particularly Adriano and Valentino.

Adriano would be enraged…

And Valentino would be smug as shit, I just knew it.

Ah well.

Time to pay the piper.

145

Sofia

Fausto and I sat in silence as we rode back in the limo to thepalazzo.

His outburst at the Council had been shocking.

Evenmoreshocking was how easily Niccolo had played him –

Like a violin.

He knew the old man’s weakness, and he’d dug in with a knife.

After a while, I figured I should saysomething.

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