Once it’s just the two of us, Pontrelli narrows his gaze on me. “Let me guess. You murdered my brother.”
It’s not a question, but I incline my head anyway.
He doesn’t seem surprised by my admission. “Well that’s a problem. It’s unforgivable.”
“Unforgivable.” I mull the word around in my mouth. “What’s unforgivable is the late don Lorenzo beatingmy wife. Sellingmy wife. He had no authority to do either. RavennaO’Rourkebelongs to me and only me. He was in violation of our contract.”
Davide shakes his head. “You abandoned her, returning her to her father and therefore made him responsible for her again.”
I grimace. That was my mistake, but it’s no excuse for what her father did to her. “Where she lived has no bearing on the peace negotiated between our people. But I draw the line at having what’s mine abused. I had every right to end don Lorenzo’s life because of how he treated my wife. And he was in breach of contract by trying to sell her to another man.” I lean forward on my elbows. “Would you not kill a man for beating your wife, don Davide? For disrespecting her, and you?”
I hold my breath, hoping this man cares about his own wife a fraction of how much I care about mine. Or that he at least cares about his reputation enough to defend it. A man disrespecting his wife would, by extension, be disrespecting to him. They are one and the same.
Several heartbeats of silence linger between us.
I read his answer clearly in his eyes before he says a single word. He has killed for his wife in the past. Of that I’m sure. But will he admit to it? Will he take my side?
Or will he defend his brother and throw away the peace between us?
The strained quiet stretches as Davide takes out a cigar and lights it, repeatedly puffing on the end as he considers his response.
I keep my mouth shut and wait. Sometimes silence is the best negotiation tactic.
Davide bobs his head, a thick cloud of spicy smoke escaping his mouth. “I would kill any man who dishonors my wife, but this is not the same. The man you murdered in cold blood was my brother and don of the Pontrelli family. I must demand a life for a life.”
No fucking way.
“Lorenzo’s death was vengeance. You can either accept that and we continue our peace treaty, or else it means war. I have the right to defend my wife—even from her own father and your family’s don.”
Davide sits back in his chair, studying me through narrowed eyes as he puffs his cigar. Once again, silence stretches between us, and my muscles bunch with tension.
This time, I can’t tell what he’s thinking. He could decide to go against his word and take me out right here and now. Problem solved. Though that would guarantee more blood in the streets, and no chance of a second peace treaty.
“You killed my family’s don. If I let that go, I will look weak.” Davide blows out smoke rings. “Luckily, no one knows it was you. Except me, of course. My men are tracking down my brother’s killer as we speak. It’s better for both of us if they don’t end up on your doorstep.”
I study his relaxed expression. “I want to keep the peace between our people.”
“So do I. Which is why a man will be publicly executed at an event that shows our solidarity.”
“What do you have in mind?” I sit back in my chair and it creaks under my weight.
“A fight night. One of your guys against one of mine. The best from our ranks. Better make it a good show to give my people what they want to see. Blood.”
“Done.”
He leans forward. “There’s one catch. Your Irishman has to lose the match. That’s my price for keeping your secret.”
“Done,” I grunt. It’s a small price to pay to keep the peace and my secret safe.
Davide nods. “We’ll set it up for tomorrow night on neutral ground. I think the Kozlov Russians will accommodate us atRiot.”
“Agreed. We’ll be there.” I stand, ready to end this meeting, when a thought strikes me. “Davide, I have a sensitive question for you.”
He grunts and inclines his chin, signaling for me to continue.
“Did anyone on your side kidnap Elena Pontrelli in an attempt to stop the wedding, and therefore the peace treaty?”
“No.” He taps cigar ashes into a tray. “With the number of loved ones we’ve lost these past few years, my people are all on board for peace. If anyone tried to interfere it would be on your side. You should search out that Judas.”
