“Whichever keeps us both alive and makes us very rich, no?”
He stared at me, his lip curling. “I suppose it would only be polite to hear you out before I kill you.”
I leaned forward, holding his gaze to show how serious I was. “The deal I’m about to offer you is for your ears only and will be said only once. Clear the room.”
It was a tactical move. I needed the headcount to lessen significantly if Enzo and I had any chance of getting out of this alive. Of course, Frankie knew this, but he was a clever man. He didn’t know what I was going to propose, and he’d want the negotiations to stay private until it was all in writing. He toyed with the idea, then nodded once, signalling his men to wait outside. The two young soldiers on either side of him remained.
“My sons stay,” Frankie said. “They’re in training.”
I shrugged. Enzo and I could take them out in seconds if it came to it.
Once Frankie’s men had hauled our two captive soldiers into the hallway, I settled back in my chair to begin negotiations. My heart thudded in my chest and my hands sweated, because so much rode on this. The future of my fucking country. I’d clearly underestimated Frankie Galiz.
“You’ll find a way to convince Joey to end this war, withdraw all your assassins from Italian soil, and no more blood will be shed on either side. We’ll exchange hostages. Then we’ll enter into a partnership. You’ll gain access to one of our most efficient ports, and in return you’ll give us access to one of your arms transport lines. We’ll also share intelligence on foreign territories, rivals, and new deals that may benefit a team approach.”
He sighed, rolling his head on his shoulders as he thought it over. It was a good fucking deal, and he knew it. We didn’t allow any other countries direct access to our ports for illegal shipments. It would open a huge gateway for them into Europe.It also created a risk-and-reward relationship between us. If either of us betrayed the other, we’d lose profit and capital. By sharing intelligence on other enemies, we’d create a secret alliance that no one would know about, one we could call upon if needed.
“That agreement is nearly as pretty as your lover,” he sneered, his gaze fixed on Enzo. “But I have a few stipulations.”
“Of course you do,” I said calmly. Alessio and I had prepared for this. I knew what our lines were, which only made my heart beat a little faster. If it wasn’t something we were willing to accept, this room was about to erupt into chaos. But if that were the case, I’d at least be taking Frankie Galiz with me.
“I want access to Rome’s port.”
“Done.”
“You’ll take my youngest son, Atlas, back to Italy with you and make him Underboss of a territory.”
I froze. Fuck.
He continued to explain himself when I didn’t respond. “He’s sixteen and skilful but still has a lot to learn. He’d do well to learn from the best in the game. I want a foot in Italy. He will be my assurance that you remain good on your word and provide me with sufficient news. It will also give him a title he wouldn’t otherwise have. If anyone harms a hair on his head, I’ll see to it that our agreement is void. I’ll allow you to send me one of your own for the same purpose.”
I swallowed, my mind racing through all the possible risks involved. Fucking loads. But… it would be useful to have inside eyes. I had no idea what Alessio would think of it.
“Deal,” Enzo said from beside me. I snapped my head up to him, glaring. That wasn’t his fucking call to make. We’d agreed I’d handle the negotiations. He kept his gaze locked on Frankie, ignoring my death stare as he said, “He can become Underboss of the Aiani clan. My estate.”
What the ever-loving fuck?
“Excellent.” Frankie smiled so fucking widely. “And my last…”
There was more? This prick was starting to take the fucking piss. My mind was spinning, throwing me off balance because it felt like Frankie had us by the fucking throat, but I wasn’t sure why. What was I missing?
“You’re going to make me Don of New York. You’re going to kill my nephew before he gets some whore pregnant with an heir.”
I snorted, shuffling uncomfortably in my seat, because it was clear where this was going. This wasn’t a surprise. A man like Frankie was sick of his nephew’s reckless, bloodthirsty antics. I’d suspected Frankie might have been planning Joey’s demise for a while, but this… brutal didn’t even begin to cover it.
“He will never agree to a ceasefire, let alone a partnership, no matter what you offer. All he cares about is retaliation. Joey was only ten when Anthony died, but as his only heir, Anthony had treated the boy like he was the fucking sun. My brother didn’t love much in this life, but he loved him. Joey won’t rest until he avenges him.”
I rubbed my jaw. I knew that much was true. I’d been watching Joey for two years, tracking his every move. He was vengeful and impatient, laser-focused on having Alessio’s head on a spike and willing to do anything to achieve it. First, he planned to kill everyone Alessio loved. He’d come too close to Sani and Raya this week. There had been a failed assassination attempt on Elle last year. The twins didn’t even leave the villa anymore. And I wasn’t unscathed. I had no doubt he’d come for Nerina.
“You want us to take the fall for it?” I asked, holding Frankie’s gaze. “How will you explain ending a war with Italy when we have openly murdered your former Don?”
“Whoever pulls the trigger pays the price. Someone of high importance, like… a Don or a consigliere,” he smirked. “Pick between you. Then we call it even.”
I was about to laugh in his face because there was no fucking way he could believe we’d agree to a suicide mission. To kill his nephew so one of us would receive the same treatment.
“I’ll do it,” Enzo said, cutting off the laughter in my throat before it could rise. My world dropped out from under me as I stared at the side of his serious face. “I’m one of the best snipers in Italy. I won’t miss.”
Frankie nodded. “Then where do I sign?”
