Page 356 of Niccolo

I didn’t say anything…

Because I didn’t want to admit he was right.

“You ARE?!” Adriano said, shocked. “What the FUCK, Niccolo?!”

“Why?!”Valentino asked, scoffing. “She’s cute, but she ain’t allthat.”

I looked at him scornfully. “All you see in women is a pretty face, a pair of tits, and an ass. Is it so hard to believe that I could find Sofia’smindincredibly alluring? That I could appreciate howbrilliantshe is, the same way you ogle a woman for her body? That I could find her sexy because I value the qualities she possesses: intelligence – cunning – daring –genius?!”

“Holy shit,” Adriano muttered. He sat down in a chair like he’d had the wind knocked out of him. “You tried to seduceher…but she ended up seducingyou.”

“It’s not like that,” I protested. “It’s a two-way street. In fact, even now – ”

“Niccolo,” Dario warned.

I looked over at him. He shook his head, and I clammed up.

“Seriously?!” Valentino snapped. “You’re going to keep us in the darkagain?!”

“Whatisor isnottranspiring with Sofia Toscani is part of my privileged conversations with myconsigliere,”Dario said, his voice cold as an Arctic blast. “And as Don of this family, I reserve the right to keep certain things secret until the timeIdeem it necessary for them to be revealed.”

Valentino looked away resentfully.

“Do you have a problem with that, Valentino?” Dario asked in a quiet yet dangerous voice.

“…no, Don Rosolini,” Valentino murmured.

“Good.” Dario looked around the room. “I suggest youallremember that whatever actions Niccolo took, he took with my permission –because I trust his judgment.You may not… but you will respect the fact that Ido.Is that clear?”

The entire room mutteredYes, Don Rosolini,though not all the voices – Adriano and Valentino’s chief among them – were enthusiastic about it.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Dario commanded.

Our foot soldier Giorgio poked his head in.

“Don Severino is here to see you,” he said respectfully.

Dario and I exchanged surprised looks.

“Send him in,” Dario said.

Giorgio opened the door and stood aside for Don Severino, who strolled into the room with a dour face.

“Well,” Severino said,“THATwas one of the most interesting Councils I’ve ever been part of.”

“It was,” Dario agreed neutrally.

Severino looked at me angrily. “Quite a display you put on,consigliere.”

“Against the man who killed my father?” I answered. “Not nearlyenoughof a display, if you askme.”

Severino just stared at me coldly for a few seconds –

Then turned to Dario. “Fausto is suing for peace.”

Dario was shocked –

---