He speaks into his collar once more. “Leave the vehicle. Put both hands on the hood.”
Two more black-clad men emerge. So I was right after all. I think I recognize Angela’s other brothers, Leonardo and Salvatore.
I glance at Luciano.
He dashes over and quickly disarms them. Then Luciano returns with the two men, shoving them in line next to Giovanni and Michelangelo.
I can feel the hatred blazing from the eyes of his sons.
I step back but keep my aim trained on the father. “You were only supposed to bring one other person with you.”
He shrugs. “An insurance policy.”
“Which failed you.” I look at Michelangelo. “Set the suitcase on the bench.”
Michelangelo glances at his father, and Giovanni nods. Michelangelo steps under the gazebo and rests the suitcase on the aforementioned bench.
“Back away,” I instruct, and he returns to his father’s side.
Luciano retreats to the suitcase and opens it. “Looks like it’s all here.”
“Now give me my daughter,” Giovanni growls.
In reply I merely cock my head. His impatient arrogance makes me want to pull the trigger right then and there and be done with him. I can strike a deal with his sons instead.
Giovanni seems to recognize how close I am to ending his life because he suddenly says: “Spare my sons.”
Still giving orders, even when he’s about to die.
My finger twitches on the trigger… I think of Angela in that moment, and that’s what saves him. Killing him will only hurt her. The last thing I want. Also, if I mow him down in front of his sons, they’ll never strike a deal with me, the killer of their father.
I need him.
Plus, at least he had the decency to supply the full amount he bid, unlike the Rizzos, who gave my brothers an empty suitcase.
“She’s not even in the car, is she?” Giovanna presses. “You didn’t bring her.” When I don’t answer, he nods to himself. Then: “At least show me your face before you kill me.”
I pull off my balaclava.
He seems confused. There’s no recognition in his eyes whatsoever.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” I ask. “I’m the boy you caught wearing Angela’s necklace. You ripped her pendant right off my throat. Ordered your men to take me out to sea and throw me overboard.”
Recognition finally flashes in his eyes. “So you have come to have your revenge. That’s why you’ve done this. The boy has finally become a man.”
I nod. “I originally intended to come here and make you suffer. I planned to take your money and gloat. Maybe even kill you. But now I’ve come to strike a deal instead.”
He frowns. “A deal?”
“I will help you rescue your daughter,” I explain.
He seems genuinely confused now. “What? You don’t have her?”
“We don’t have her,” I agree. “We traded her to the Rizzos this morning.”
Anger flares in those steely eyes. “The Rizzos? Why would you give her to thosecazzos?” He clenches his fists, but then remembers the pistol trained on his head and takes a deep breath before continuing. “So you trade her, keep the money, then take her back and get more money? Is that it?”
I glance at Luciano. “She wasn’t supposed to be traded in the first place. There was a misunderstanding. Plus, the Rizzos never paid.”
