Page 367 of Niccolo

He looked at me with a steely gaze. “I hope you know what you’re doing,consigliere.”

So do I,I thought.

So do I.

150

Sofia

Shortly after midnight, we gathered in the library: Fausto, me, and all 20 of our foot soldiers in Rome.

Also in attendance was a clean-shaven man in a cheap suit. His name was Captain Federico Gallo of the Rome Police Department. He was one of Fausto’s moles deep inside Don Severino’s territory.

On a large table in front of us were 20 bulletproof vests with body cameras attached.

Beside the pile of vests lay a large map of Rome.

Dante pointed at a spot on the map. “This is whereweare – on the eastern side of the Palatine Hill.

“After the meeting at the Vatican, I followed Dario and Niccolo back to their lodgings here… on thewesternside of the Palatine Hill.

“It’s called the Villa Agostina. I got the address. The limo let Dario and Niccolo out on the front steps, so theyshouldbe coming out that way tomorrow morning, too.

“That’s where the ambush will start. I’m going to stay here to guard Don Fausto, but the rest of you will be out there tomorrow morning before they can go to the Council.”

The foot soldiers did not seem enthused, to put it mildly.

Fausto stepped in. “I know you don’t like moving against my brother’s boys, but remember:theykilled my son.They killed my boy – and they’d kill every one of you if given the chance.”

The men still looked doubtful. None of them looked sympathetic.

After all, Fausto was not especially well-liked amongst his men. And they hadloathedAurelio.

I had made that point to Fausto earlier – diplomatically, of course – which is why he included the next part.

“And every man here who participates tomorrow will be paid 100,000 euros apiece,” Fausto promised.

Thatmade them perk up.

Dante gestured to the cop. “Captain Gallo has supplied us with bulletproof vests and body cameras from the Rome Police Department.”

“You sure they won’t be missed?” Fausto asked.

“Things go missing all the time,” Gallo answered with a smirk.

“And you can hook up these cameras so they broadcast on the surveillance screens over there?” Fausto asked, pointing at the bank of surveillance monitors on the library shelves. “So I can watch as it happens?”

“Absolutely. There won’t be any sound, though – just video.”

“No problem,” Fausto grinned. “As long as I can watch.”

Dante turned to me. “I know this is the question on everyone’s mind, so I’ll ask on behalf of everybody here: are yousurethey won’t be expecting it?”

I shook my headno. “They won’t be expecting a thing.”

151

Igot hardly any sleep that night; I was incredibly worried about how the next day would go.

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