"A very exclusive gathering. One where serious business gets conducted. Where alliances get formed. Where powerful people make deals that shape this city." He paused. "We think you'd find it valuable. And we'd like to show there are no hard feelings."
"What kind of gathering?"
"The kind where discretion is paramount and power is currency. Attend and see for yourself. Bring your attorney if you'd like. I understand you two are quite close now."
The way he said it made my skin crawl. But I kept my voice neutral. "I'll consider it."
"Please do. RSVP by Friday. We'll send the location details." He paused again. "Alessandro, this is a genuine offer of peace. Our families have been at odds for too long. It's time to find common ground."
"I'll let you know."
I hung up and stared at the invitation. This was a trap. Had to be. The Costellos didn't extend olive branches. They extended weapons disguised as peace offerings.
But it was also an opportunity. To see what they were really offering. To understand what they meant by "exclusive gathering" and "serious business." To gather intelligence on what they were planning.
Emilio arrived at 8 PM exactly. I was waiting in my apartment with wine and the invitation.
He kissed me hello. "What are we celebrating?"
"I chose mercy over murder. Vincent lives. We're destroying him legally instead of permanently."
"That's worth celebrating." He poured himself wine. "What's that?" He nodded at the invitation.
I handed it to him. Watched his face as he read it.
"The Costellos are inviting you to an exclusive gathering?" Disbelief colored his voice. "After everything?"
"They claim they want to bury the hatchet. Move forward. Form alliances." I sipped my wine. "It's obviously a trap."
"Obviously. But what kind of trap?"
"That's what I need to find out." I pulled him closer. "They said I could bring a plus one. Want to walk into a potential trap with me?"
"That's the most romantic thing you've ever said to me." He kissed me. "Of course I'll go. Should I be worried?"
"Extremely. But we'll be careful. My security will be watching. We'll have exit strategies. And if it's actually a genuine peace offering, we'll have valuable intelligence about what the Costellos are planning next."
Emilio set down his wine. "You know what kind of 'exclusive gatherings' powerful criminals host?"
"I have suspicions. Nothing good. But I need to see it for myself."
"And you want me there?"
"I want you to see who I really am. What my world really looks like. Not the sanitized version I show you. Not the businessman pretending to be legitimate. The real world I operate in." I cupped his face. "If you're going to love me, you should love me with full knowledge of what that means."
"I already know what it means."
"You know some of it. But there are depths you haven't seen yet. Darkness I've kept you separated from because I wanted to protect you." I kissed him softly. "No more protection. No more shields. You want to be with me? You get all of me. Including the parts that'll make you question whether I'm worth loving."
He pulled back to look at me. "Nothing will make me question that. I've already crossed every line. Compromised every principle. There's nothing you can show me that'll change how I feel."
"We'll see about that on Saturday."
We spent the evening celebrating the way I'd suggested. In bed. With tenderness and intensity and the kind of connection that made everything else fade into background noise.
Afterward, lying tangled together, Emilio asked quietly, "What do you think this gathering really is?"
"Peter mentioned 'power as currency' and 'serious business.' In our world, that usually means one thing." I traced patterns on his shoulder. "An auction."
