But still. Loyalty ruled, and treason called for death. In this case, a slow and painful one.
“Victor Scava,” I said.
Roman held his injured shoulder and glanced beyond me at Gia.
“I want a deal,” he said.
“No fucking deal.” I cocked the gun, ready to shoot again.
“Wait!” Roman cried out. “I have information for her.”
I glanced at Gia, where Roman was also looking.
“About her brother.”
“Don’t fucking play games—”
“Wait, Dominic,” Gia cried out, running to my side and griping my arm, the one that held the pistol.
I thrust it backward, holding her just behind me. My bullet would find its right mark this time.
Roman started to talk. “Angus won’t give Victor the rule of the family soon enough. He wants to take it from him.”
“Angus Scava is what…is he even sixty? Victor thought he’d just hand over the rule of his family?”
“Victor was gathering supporters.”
“You being his number one?”
“No. My loyalty has always been to our family.”
I aimed at his other shoulder.
“No!” He held up both hands. “Please!”
“You’ve always been loyal to you, Uncle.”
“What do you know?”
Gia’s voice stopped me from pulling the trigger.
“A federal agent turned up dead yesterday,” Roman said. “He too was branded with the same brand as your brother. He was Mateo’s contact.”
“I don’t understand,” Gia said, her desperate gaze on mine.
“Talk faster,” I told Roman.
“A deal,” Roman said.
“Dominic, let’s hear him out,” Salvatore said.
“Deal depends on what you tell us, then,” I said. “Start talking. If I even think I smell a lie, I pull the fucking trigger, understand?”
Roman nodded. “I stopped dealing with Victor about a month ago when Angus Scava got wind of what his nephew was up to. Victor wasn’t very smart in how he did things. He underestimated Angus. He thought an alliance with me would give him the leverage he needed to take over the Scava family. I…made a mistake.”
“Just facts,” I said. I had no interest in his lies.
“I promised to help him in exchange for new territory. Then, once,” he hesitated, choosing his words. “Once I took over, we would assassinate Angus Scava, who has no shortage of enemies, and Victor would take over as head of the family. I thought it would be easier to manage Victor than Angus. That’s why I went along with it.”
