Page 361 of Niccolo

I grinned from ear to ear. “I’d kiss you right now – ”

“Too suspicious.”

“Just a tiny bit.” I looked around us. “Well, you may not be getting the ring or the bended knee, but, hey – at least it’s happening in an incredibly beautiful place.”

“Should’ve waited for the Sistine Chapel,” she said in a deadpan voice.

I chuckled. “I’ll see what I can arrange at the end of the tour.”

Suddenly, from the other end of the hallway, Fausto erupted in rage.

“THEN THERE WILL BE NO PEACE BETWEEN US, EVER!”

“Guess that rules out the Sistine Chapel,” I muttered as both Sofia and I hurried over.

I noticed that Severino and the Vatican foot soldiers were headed this way, as well.

“What’s going on?” I asked Dario.

He was glaring at our uncle. “In exchange for peace, our dear uncle wants us to give up Massimo. To balance out Aurelio’s death.”

“Excuseme?” I said, looking at Fausto like he was insane.

“He tookeverythingfrom me,” Fausto hissed. “EVERYTHING. My legacy – my bloodline – my only son. There aresixof you. Five will remain, but I want him dead for what he did.”

“Out of the fucking question,” Dario said coldly.

Fausto laughed. “Then prepare for endless war, you little shit – because I won’t be satisfied untilallyour heads are on pikes.”

“Wow, that’s quite the counteroffer,” I said.

“FUCK you,” Fausto snarled specifically at me. “I don’t carewhatthe Council decides – you’realldead. Every last one of you.”

“What’s the problem?” Severino barked as he ran up.

“Negotiations broke down,” I deadpanned.

“Get me out of here,” Fausto said angrily to Severino. “NOW.”

“Right this way,” he said, ushering Fausto towards the men in suits. He gave me and Dario a withering look. “YOU – stay hereuntil I come back.”

Severino walked back with Fausto the way we’d come, flanked by half the men in suits. The other half stayed 40 feet from me and Dario, watching us carefully.

Sofia gave me one last look.

I just winked at her.

She smiled and rolled her eyes, then hurried to follow her boss.

Dario and I turned away from the Vatican suits, just in case one of them could read lips.

“Well?” my brother asked in a low voice.

“Fausto knew why we were here,” I whispered. “That’s the only reason he came – so Sofia could set up the double-cross. Or so he believes.”

“So she’s in?”

“All the way.”

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