“The alliance was a win for both families. Don’t you see that? Ivan Barishnikoff will stop at nothing to destroy this city. This is our home.”
Was the man actually trying to prey on my love of New Orleans? The worthless bastard. I took a deep breath before turning my full attention to my bride to be. “How would you like to handle this, my angel?”
She folded her arms. “I think you should explain how things are going to go and who will be in charge if this… unholy alliance is allowed.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” I crouched down so I was more at Russo’s level, enjoying the fact he was unnerved by my presence. “The Barishnikoffs were never really on our radar. They knew better than to attempt to roll into our territory as we had the skills and manpower to crush them like bugs. However, they were certainly more interested in making the attempt when you agreed to provide them with additional manpower. And by promising your long-lost daughter to the Pakhan’s son.”
I hadn’t been able to confirm what I’d just tossed out.
Now I didn’t need to.
He’d done so with his eyes.
“Fucking bastard.” Her hiss was well deserved.
“I want you to know I always looked out for you. I made certain you had everything you needed when I could. But your father was a proud man. He wanted nothing to do with me.”
“Or your money,” I offered. “But you managed to find a way to blackmail him into doing your bidding.”
“I cared!” Vitelli snapped, his chest immediately heaving from the exertion.
“Are you trying to tell me you loved me? Bullshit. There’s no love in a man who rapes a woman. None. You’re nothing to me, Vitelli. You’re not my father. Just a horrible man who did an even worse thing. But that’s fine. I’ll spend the rest of my life ensuring that men like you are sent to prison for the rest of your miserable lives.”
“I did what I?—”
“Bullshit,” I snapped. “You can stop right there, Russo. There’s nothing you can say to make the situation better. You played one family against another in a dangerous game of chess. But you lost. And so did my father. But the game’s not over.”
“What are you going to do, kill me?”
“What do you think, Sinclair? Should I kill him or set him free from his obligations as an Italian Don.”
Sinclair huffed, taking his time to answer. “I say turn the other cheek while taking everything he owns.”
“Good idea. I’m going to honor the contract you and my father signed, Vitelli, but there will be some changes made that you will agree to. I will take charge of your holdings and your business. There won’t be a single decision made without my approval. And when you die, everything you own will become mine. While I’ll allow you to keep your title and a prominent role within your company while alive, you will report to me. There will be no negotiations.”
“My sons.”
“If you do what I say without pushback, I’ll take care of your sons.” For the time being.
“You don’t know Ivan Barishnikoff like I do. He will come for my daughter. There is nothing you can do about it.”
I slowly stood, peering down at him, reminding myself he was an old man with no conscience.
Just like I’d been on the way to becoming before meeting Catherine.
Before an alliance had been sealed in blood and death.
“Then he’ll need to go through me, Vitelli. Because soon, as required by my contract, your daughter will become my wife.”
“One last stop,” I told my lovely bride as I pulled into the parking of the Ritz Carlton.
“Dare I ask what you’re planning?” She gave me what I knew would be her signature warning look, a reminder to be on my best behavior.
As if that was possible.
“Nothing dramatic, my angel. Simply a verbal wedding invitation.”
“Shouldn’t the bride be with you?”
