Page 382 of Niccolo

“Or worse, start throwing money at your foot soldiers,” Roberto said. “It’s hard to say ‘no’ when someone’s promising more money than you’ve ever made in your entire life… so we decided to remove your ability to tempt them.”

“Not to mention,” Niccolo added, “this little charade might give us someleeway with Don Severino, seeing asyoustruckfirst.”

Fausto chuckled darkly. He was aconsiglierethrough and through; he could appreciate a genius plan when he saw it, even ifhewas the one who got stung.

“You’ll lose your 20 million euros,” he growled at me.

“But I’ll gain a husband,” I said with faux sweetness, “and a family who’ll make sure I’m taken care of.”

“Damn straight,” Adriano agreed.

Niccolo looked over at him in surprise.

“What?” Adriano said belligerently. “She fuckin’ came through for us, just like you said she would. As far as I’m concerned, she can have whatever the fuck she wants.”

The other brothers all laughed.

“Soyouget your happy ending,” Fausto sneered at me, then gestured towards the hallway. “What are the rest of them getting out of it?”

“Whatever money you promised them,” Dario said.

“One hundred thousand apiece,” I told him.

Dario nodded, then turned back to Fausto. “I’ll honor that payment and give the same to all ofmymen. In addition, Dante will take over your territory in Tuscany as one of mycapos,the same as Adriano in Florence. Your men will becomehismen – and thusmymen, just like they were Papa’s. Plus, everyone will get a share of all profits going forward – both Dante’s foot soldiersandmine.”

“You’re wasting your fucking money,” Fausto snapped.

“Actually,” Roberto said as he continued to type on the laptop, “the bonuses alone will be 8 million euros – far less expensive than waging a war withyou.And performance-based incentives should make sure everyone works even harder.”

“Listen to the accountant,” Niccolo said.

“Finished,” Roberto announced as he closed the laptop, put it under his arm, and rejoined the rest of us on the opposite side of the desk. “I transferred everything over from the accounts he had open – in excess of 32 million euros – and changed all the passwords on his laptop. I’ll go through the rest after we’re finished here.”

Fausto scowled. “So… you’ve won. I won’t bother begging for mercy since I know you won’t give it to me. I only ask for one thing.”

“What’s that?” Dario asked coldly.

“Make it quick,” Fausto snarled.

“That we can do,” Dario agreed. “But first: Fausto Rosolini, you have been found guilty of treason against our family – and especially against our father.”

From the grim look on Fausto’s face, he recognized the words being spoken.

As though on cue, every man in the room raised his gun and pointed it at Fausto – including Lars, though he was the only one who didn’t speak.

“The penalty for this crime is death,” Massimo said.

Roberto went next. “No request for mercy shall be entertained; no quarter shall be given.”

Adriano grinned malevolently. “I takeall the pleasure in the worldin this act…”

“But take solace in that your crime is yours, and yours alone,” Valentino said.

“None of your loved ones will suffer for your transgressions – only you,” Dario said.

Niccolo’s face contorted with fury. “May you burn in Hell… and may God NEVER have mercy upon your soul.”

I clapped my hands over my ears –

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