“Yes, she can. You should know I turned off that recording as soon as I realized what your father had sent me.” If I were my wife, I might blush but no words can evoke that response in me. Instead, I sip my drink and allow Nico to continue. “It sickened me that her privacy was disrespected that way.”
“Believe me, the whole thing sickened me, too. Well… not what we were doing obviously.”
“You might want to shut up if you don’t want to die this second,” Nico groans and I snort into my drink. “Anyway, I have long feared far worse would occur once Caterina was turned over to you.”
“I have long dreamt of slicing your throat open for killing my brother but never hers. And your sister has shifted mycravingfor the revenge I once considered our due.”
He nods. “I have become more circumspect since the night I fought your brother. Wrath and revenge are part of our nature, but it doesn’t advance us.”
I tip my head in agreement, and he says no more. He does not apologize for killing Silvio. I would respect him less if he did, to be honest. Nico simply finishes his drink before setting down his glass.
“No matter how my father rebuked me for it, Caterina’s happiness has always mattered more to me than is probably wise for a Capo.”
“I had no wish to marry your sister when the match was arranged, but I obeyed my father. Yet, I could not obey his wishes when it came to my treatment of her.”
He is silent for several seconds but, when our eyes meet again, I feel as though a corner might’ve just been turned.
However, there is one matter I can’t resist asking about as he starts to walk away. “Speaking of sisters, Nico, I wonder about my missing one. Dante was in Italy where I happened to have word of Sofia being earlier this week. An interesting coincidence, don’t you think?”
Nico raises an eyebrow, his careful mask back in place. “I have enough to keep me occupied in Chicago. I’m afraid I don’t keep close tabs on my younger brother when he’s not in my territory.”
I let him go, knowing he’s lying but knowing better than to openly challenge him for it tonight.
The rest of the half hour passes quickly, and Sabatino is the last to approach me as the others are taking their seats. “We’re businessmen first, murderers second. As my Capo, will this be the last blood that is spilled on account of your wife?”
I think of my father, Beso and Lorenzo and any other man who might dare threaten or even insult my Caterina. I give Sabatino the Reaper’s smile, the one that has made grown men tremble and promise him, “If I rule the West, none of our enemies will doubt who is the strongest and money will continue to flow into everyone’s pockets. No man needs to fear me spilling their blood over my wife… unless he provokes my wrath.”
The Tribunal’s decision comes soon after, all three agreeing to absolve me of my sins and proclaiming me Capo de Capi of the Trio in the West. With a smarmy smile, my uncle swears his loyalty right after Sabatino. I will watch him like a hawk.
Carlo says we will speak soon as there will be a new wedding to plan, but a commotion outside Nico’s office draws everyone’sattention – a woman shouting. I cannot hold back my smile this time even if I’m annoyed.
“No, I will not wait! I want to see them!” The door flies open and Caterina barges into her brother’s office with those fiery eyes I love so much. “How dare you block my number, Nico! Alessio…” The room full of men turn as one to stare at her, and my kitten’s boldness falters momentarily. “I apologize, Don Vicini,” she says, bowing her head. “I mean no disrespect.”
I flex my fingers, preparing for anything. Her interruption would be considered a great insult by many men in our world. But the Don seems unconcerned over Caterina’s breach of etiquette. “He is there, Signora De Luca, and he still breathes. It is late for an old man, and we will take our leave,” he tells the room at large. Carlo follows and then the others, Enzo giving my wife the briefest of nods as he goes.
She storms across the room into my arms. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand not knowing what would happen.”
“Your father promised an obedient wife, but I see you don’t follow orders very well,” I chastise her even as I can’t resist lifting her up so that we’re face to face.
“I know. Mother was so angry with me before I coerced the youngest of their guards to drive me here.”
“I would be, too, if I didn’t love how fiercely you love me. But coercing guards, wife? I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Don’t blame him. He’s barely more than a boy. It’s alright then?” she asks, looking around the room. I nod and she nuzzles her face against my neck, her cheeks wet with relieved tears as I spin with her three times.
I intend to kiss her next but, as soon as she’s on her feet again, she rushes toward Nico, hugging him tightly. He wipes her tears away, murmuring, “There is no cause to cry, my little Cat,” and I realize our love for this woman will forever impact how we deal with one another. Even if there’s war within the Trio againsomeday – a more likely scenario than one might wish – I will not relish the thought of killing the man who killed my brother any longer.
Dante watches from beside the window without a word. Guess he was hoping for a different outcome, but he receives his sister’s embrace this time with a genuine smile, and Nico takes the opportunity to speak to me again. “We miss our sister but knowing she has found joy in her arranged marriage makes that easier.”
“So long as there is peace in the Trio, you are welcome to visit her anytime business and your other responsibilities allow.”
He nods his thanks before asking, “And, Dante?”
Our eyes meet just then across the room and my suspicions and hatred of him still burns brightly. “We’ll see.” I fucking know he knows something about Sofia’s whereabouts. If I could convince him to join me in the desert, I could get the answers out of him in one of our special cells but that would upset my wife.
Nico chuckles, unbothered. “My sister is always welcome in my territory. If you ever wish to send her for an extended visit-”
“My wife in your territory without me by her side? Not likely, Morelli.”
