Page 378 of Niccolo

“I swearIwon’t kill you,” I promised.

He squinted. “You say that like someone else will.”

“Not me.”

“Dante?”

“No.”

“My other foot soldiers?”

“No. Are the accounts open?”

“Yes,” he grumbled.

“Good – then back away,” I said as I gestured with the gun to the side.

“Swear you won’t kill me first,” he growled.

“I swear.” I smirked, then said, “I could do it like youCosa Nostratypes do and swear on something holy to me.”

“Oh yeah?” he sneered. “And what would that be?”

I stared straight at him. “On my love for the man I’m going to marry.”

Fausto’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “…what?!”

“We’re ready, Dante,” I called out.

The doors to the library opened…

And seven dead men walked through the door.

167

Or perhaps I should put air quotes around that:

‘Dead’ men.

Dario…

Adriano…

Massimo…

Lars…

Valentino…

Roberto…

And Niccolo.

Their white shirts were all splotched with red. In the center of the stains, ragged holes were visible in the cloth…

But every single man was alive.

They walked in silently, each one carrying a pistol pointed at the floor.

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