Page 213 of The One
“No one insults my fiancée.”
Antonio lets out a low chuckle, licking at the blood. “I’m surprised she still is.”
He doesn’t even bother denying his betrayal. Why would he? What would be the point?
I pace in front of him. “Your family doesn’t deserve to die for your sins. The naked girl in your bed tonight? Just another sign they mean nothing to you. The threat of wiping out an entire family only works as a deterrent when the bastard actually values them.”
Antonio laughs, shaking his head. “Save me the speech, Mateo. You want something. So get on with it.”
I stop and face him, arms still crossed. “I know the truth already, Antonio, but I want to hear it from your traitorous mouth.”
He sniffs, wincing slightly as he shifts in the chair.
“Which particular part?” His gaze locks onto mine, and then that sadistic grin spreads across his battered face. “The one where I shot your brother?”
Rage flares white-hot in my chest, but I inhale deeply, forcing it down. I won’t give him the satisfaction. Not yet.
“Why, Antonio?” My voice is steady, controlled. “You were a high-ranking capo, set to become the next consigliere. You had power. Why so greedy?”
He exhales sharply, rolling his shoulders as much as his restraints allow. His eyes gleam in the dim light, always calculating, always looking for an angle.
“Power?” He scoffs. “Really. I’ve been nothing but your lackey. That wouldn’t have changed even if I became consigliere.”
He spits out blood, the dark stain splattering onto the plastic-covered floor.
“And you call me greedy?” His lips curl as he tilts his head. “You were handed everything. The De Marco legacy, the name, the power. Gualtiero and you walked into this world already crowned.” Contempt drips from his words. “Me? I had to fight for every scrap.”
I arch a brow. “You weren’t exactly scrubbing floors, Antonio.”
His sneer deepens. “No, but I wasn’t sitting at the head of the table either. No matter how much blood I spilled for you, no matter how many deals I brokered, I was always just another soldier waiting for a promotion.”
I shake my head. “That’s the game. And you made an art of it. Look where it got you. You have more money than you know what to do with.”
Antonio barks out a laugh. “Spare me the fairytale, Mateo. Money can’t buy authority. And that’s what I want.” He jerks his chin toward me, nostrils flaring. “You and your brother were born with a silver knife in your hand and a kingdom at your feet. And you expect me to be content with crumbs?”
“Crumbs?” I grit out. “I don’t think we’ll agree on that. So let’s move on, shall we?”
My voice is edged with ice as I ask, “Who are you working with?”
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Mateo
Antonio’s lip curls, contempt flashing in his eyes. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I chuckle. “That’s why we’re having this conversation.”
He snorts. “Go to hell.”
I smirk. “I’m not the one heading there tonight.”
His laugh is low, almost amused. “Are you sure about that?”
I throw my head back, letting out a genuine laugh.
“Do you truly think you’re going to see another sunrise? Look at you. You’re naked. The trackers you love to hide in your clothes? Useless. And don’t pretend you have any implanted ones. I’ve already scanned your body.”
Silence.
