Page 48 of Niccolo

Who also happened to be men who preyed upon others?

Who lied and cheated and abused the innocent?

Not the worst thing in the world to destroy them.

Potentially very dangerous, yes –

But honestly, it was also kind of exciting.

This could really beinteresting…

A challenge unlike anything I’d faced before.

A real-world application of every principle I’d ever learned in chess.

Plus, 10 million euros would solve all my problems for the rest of my life –

Or at least the monetary ones.

“One more question,” I said. “Who exactlyarethese people you want dead? Enemies? Business rivals?”

“All of the above,” Fausto said with a smile. “But more importantly… they’re my nephews.”

21

Istared at him in shock.

“…nephews?” I finally managed to choke out.

“Correct.”

“I’m not going to help you kill children!” I said in horror.

Fausto scoffed. “The youngest is 21, soon to turn 22. Hardly a child.”

Oh.

That made sense, given Fausto’s age.

My shock at him wanting to kill his own family had short-circuited my ability to reason.

“Are they related to you by your brother or your sister?” I asked.

“My brother.”

“What abouthim?Are you going to kill him, too?”

Fausto smiled. “I already did.”

I sat there, stunned.

The fact that it was his brother…

And that he would so casually admit to his murder…

It sent a shiver down my spine.

“…why?”

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