Page 357 of Niccolo

Almost as shocked as me and everyone else in the room.

“What?!” Adriano said involuntarily.

“He wants this to end,” Severino said, ignoring Adriano and focusing on Dario. “He wants to meet to see if you can reach an accommodation.”

“An accommodation?” Valentino scoffed. “For killing Papa?”

Severino looked over at him like he was worm shit –

And Dario gave Val a warning glare, too.

Valentino went quiet. Sullenly quiet, but quiet nonetheless.

Dario looked over at me.“Consigliere?”

“Just Dario and Fausto?” I asked Severino.

“No,” Severino answered. “Bothconsigliereswill be in attendance, as well.”

My mind started whirling.

Could this be Sofia’s doing?

“We should hear what he has to say,” I told Dario.

“Why, becauseshe’sgoing to be there?” Valentino asked belligerently.

Dario gave him anotherSHUT THE FUCK UPlook, but I ignored my youngest brother.

“Where?” I asked Severino. “At the building where the Council met?”

“No. Fausto’s convinced you’re trying to kill him, so he wants the highest level of security possible.”

“And where wouldthatbe, if not one of your properties?” I asked.

“The Vatican.”

There was a muted exclamation of surprise from almost everyone in the room.

“TheVatican?”I said in disbelief.

“I have friends in high places,” Severino said grimly. “I called in a few favors.”

I glanced over at Dario. “Well… can’t passthatup.”

Dario looked at Don Severino. “When?”

“This evening at 9, an hour after it closes to the general public. I’ll come by at 8:30 to escort you there personally.”

“Alright,” Dario said. “We’ll be ready.”

“Good,” Severino said, then scowled at me. “And try to keep any inflammatory behavior to a minimum while you’re there.”

“I’ll try,” I joked.

Severino stared at me angrily.

“I’ll be good,” I promised, though with a bit of sarcasm in my reply.

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