Page 365 of Niccolo

“I’m sorry, Nic,” Massimo said, “but… I can’t. Not on this one.”

“FUCK no,” Adriano snapped.

“Not a chance in hell,” Valentino sneered.

Roberto just shook his head sadly.

“It’s too great a risk,” Lars said.

“It’s unfortunate you feel this way,” Dario interjected, “because I’ve already decided we’re going to follow Niccolo’s plan.”

I was the only one who didn’t react. I’d already predicted what our brothers’ reaction would be. Dario and I had discussed it in the limo, and he had grudgingly agreed to back me, no matter what.

Everyone else stared at him in horror.

Then they exploded.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Adriano roared.

“Dario – ” the rest yelled –

And were silenced when he raised one hand.

“I remind you, I am your Don,” he said coldly. “Except for Lars, with whom I have a separate agreement, youallowe me your unquestioning obedience. If I order you to do something, you are sworn to follow my command.

“I owe you no explanation for my choice – but because of the danger we face and the stakes involved, I will give you one.

“Niccolo has kept me apprised of his relationship with this woman from the very beginning. In fact, he asked my permission even before starting it. I have heard everything that happened between them shortly after it happened… and my judgment is that this woman is not unequivocally loyal to Fausto. She can be turned.

“As Niccolo said, if it were just a case of money, I would be more concerned. Her loyalty would belong to the highest bidder. However, she has stated that she’s willing to do everything out of love. And as Niccoloalsosaid, that’s something each and every one of you should be able to understand.” Dario looked directly at Valentino. “Including those of you who acted on behalf of the love you felt for your women… even if it conflicted with my orders and the good of the family.”

Valentino looked shamefacedly at the floor.

“The rest of you proposed to your wives without asking my permission first. You did it on your own, then sought my permission afterwards. Niccolo didn’t do that. He cleared every decision he made with me well in advance of making it. Well…almostevery decision,” Dario said wryly, then grew serious again. “But he sought my approval to propose to this woman before he asked her. Unlike the rest of you.”

Every single man looked away in embarrassment –

Except Adriano. “I told you I was planning to propose to Bianca while she was still in a coma.”

“True,” Dario said. “And yet you also went against Niccolowhen he ordered you back home after the Agrellas tried to kill you in Florence. You went over his head and appealed tometo back you up. And I did.”

“But – ”

Dario raised his hand again, silencing him. “Yes, it turned out well. Yes, you discovered Mezzasalma’s plot as a result. But it might have gone another way.You might have died. But I still backed you up and let you follow your heart… because I trusted you. Nothing in our line of business is safe. At some point, I have to take gambles, no matter the risks.

“This is one of those moments.

“Is it dangerous? Absolutely.

“Could we be destroyed? Possibly.

“But my take on the Council is they’re not going to side with us. At most, they’ll impose a financial penalty on Fausto, then let him walk.

“When we didn’t know he was behind everything, he got the Turk to invade our home and nearly kill us…

“He framed us for the deaths of the Agrellas and turned the entireCosa Nostraagainst us…

“He persuaded Mezzasalma to do his dirty work and nearly kill usagain…”

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