"Mr. Vitiello, this is Alessandro Rossi."
"About fucking time. Where’s the money your son owes me?”
"We need to discuss terms."
Terms.
Not confirmation, not transfer details.
I lean back in my leather chair, every instinct suddenly alert. "Terms were already discussed. Six million euros by noon today."
"That amount is unreasonable for the circumstances. We're prepared to transfer two million—the original debt—plus interest. Call it 2.5 million total."
His fucking audacity almost makes me laugh. "2.5 million for a 6 million debt? You’ve had months to pay this debt."
"For damaged merchandise, yes." His voice carries the casual cruelty of old money. "Lorenzo's bride has been compromised bythis situation. The original marriage arrangement is void. We're being generous by offering anything at all."
Damaged merchandise.
I think about Camilla this morning, composed, intelligent, unbroken despite the terror I put her through.
"Generous?" I let the word hang between us. "You think I'm running a charity, Alessandro?"
"You’re a businessman who understands market value. The girl's worth has diminished significantly. Take the 2.5 million and we'll call this matter settled. It’s a simple business deal."
"The matter will be settled when I receive six million euros. Not a euro less."
"That's not going to happen, Vitiello. As far as we’re concerned, she’s damaged goods now. Find another solution. Find another buyer.”
The line goes dead.
I sit perfectly still, staring at the phone.
They're not paying. After everything—the cathedral, the deadline, the very real threat to their reputation—they're choosing to abandon her rather than meet my price.
Find another buyer.
They know exactly what that means. They know what happens to women in Camilla's situation when their families refuse to pay. And they're willing to let it happen rather than part with their precious money.
I lean back in my chair, mind working furiously.
The Rossis think they can lowball me. The Colombos think they can hide behind bankruptcy. Both families are gambling that I'llaccept their insulting offer rather than follow through on my threats.
Time to prove them wrong.
I reach for my secure phone and scroll through my contacts. Viktor Kozlov in Moscow - oligarch with expensive tastes and unlimited resources. Ahmed Al-Rashid in Riyadh - traditional values but pays premium prices. Franco Torretti in Rome - professional broker with clients across three continents.
All men who acquire rare merchandise when it becomes available.
All men who will scare the absolute shit out of two Italian families when they realize I'm serious.
The plan forms quickly.
I'll arrange a private auction at the villa. Exclusive viewing. Premium buyers flying in from across Europe and beyond. Let word spread through both families about exactly who's interested in their discarded daughter.
The threat alone should be enough.
Alessandro Rossi won't let his family name be associated with a woman being sold to Russian oligarchs. Colombo won't let his daughter actually end up in a trafficking situation, not when he can scrape together the money to prevent it.
