Your brain suggested it was a million other things, but your eyes insisted it was what it was. By the time my jet took off, the link had firmed.
Liv Ivanovski.Iva. Willow.
And he was either using the Mancinellis with their full cooperation or slithering his way into Salvatore business in the hopes of toppling us through our enemies.
Either way, I intended to crush him, once and for all.
‘Just like El Topo, to lie with other vermin and believe that he will better me in any way.’ Orazio lifted his glass and gulped a mouthful of wine. Then he pointed a finger at me. ‘I want your plan of action laid out for me by noon tomorrow.’
I cleared my throat. ‘With respect,Nonno, that’s not how I’m going to handle it.’ And I wasn’t going to. Probably because he would cut off both my hands if I told him my plan of action fully involved Maddelena Mancinelli. And my cock.
Another ripple of shock travelled down the table. Even Rafa stiffened.
‘Scusi?’
‘As and when I confirm that Ivanovski’s intentions reach beyond my…ourracing team, I’ll discuss our next steps with thefamigghia. But if he’s only coming after Furia, then I prefer to deal with him my way. That is what we agreed after all, was it not?’ I asked evenly before he could release the thunder and lightning brewing in his eyes.
His mouth worked for endless seconds while everyone held their collective breath.
At the first sign of the turbulence dissipating, my belly slowly unclenched. But I braced for the furious finger in my face once more. ‘The second you discover otherwise, you report to me.Capisci?’
‘Understood.’
‘Thank fuck. Can we eat now? I’m starving,’ Renzo grumbled, unfortunately redirecting the storm towards himself.
‘And where the fuck is your shadow?’ Orazio barked at Renzo. ‘Did he not get the message that this was a family dinner?’
‘More like a firing squad,’ Renzo snarked under his breath.
Fresh thunder rolled across Orazio’s face. ‘What did you say?’
‘Nothing,Nonno. I think he’s taking us coming second and sixth a little hard. That Bellarussian fucker Paul drove me intothe wall and Dante sprained something when he punched a wall. I think.’
‘Oh yeah? What’s he doing about it beside hiding in his room and crying like some pussy over a little sprain?’
Giacomo shifted in his seat. ‘Don…’
‘Silencio!’
I knew better than to show emotion for his treatment of my father. That would anger the old man more. So we all pretended not to notice our father cave in on himself a little at the berating.
‘Probably rejoicing that he doesn’t have to starve to death.’
I groaned inwardly as Orazio’s gaze snapped back to me. ‘He drove your brother into a wall and you still think we need towait and see?’ he snarled.
‘Yes. I do,’ I replied with a harder tone, and glared a warning at Renzo.
I withstood another long, searing stare from Orazio, every inch of my skin tensed in preparation to fight my corner. And just like last night, there was no explaining the undeniable notion that the foundation of my reasoning for taking this path involved Maddelena.
After a full minute, Orazio raised his fist. But it was to summon the staff hovering just outside the dining room doors.
Tempers settled. Delicious food was served. I made conversation. I ate.
But I was searingly aware of every second that passed brought me one second closer to the next time I was alone with Maddelena.
15
MADDELENA
