“That's wise, because we both know that girl will need something to occupy her to keep her out of trouble.”
“I’m sure she’ll still find a way to get into trouble.”
“That might have been true while I was away, but I’m not Marchello.” He gazed out the window. “I’ll get her under control.”
“Right.” I smirked. “She’s not easily controlled, but then again, if anyone is up for the challenge, it’s you.”
Now I wanted Marchello and Lissia to come home even more. Watching my father try to tame her might be fun.
“We have another issue that needs to be addressed,” he said.
“Diego.”
“I’ve heard from the head families in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston. They are all considering allowing Diego to traffic through their territories.”
“Why would they do that?” I gripped the arm of my chair. “Don’t they realize the havoc that will wreak for them?”
“They’re willing to take the chance because the profit is very attractive.”
“But they’d have to auction off unwilling women and send them to men they don’t know.” The thought of that made my stomach sick. “What are they thinking? That’s not our business. It never will be.”
“It’s not ours, but it may be theirs,” he said. “Not every family was as savvy as I have been. When we made an alliance with the cartels, we strengthened our power in this city. We don’t need what Diego is proposing.”
“You’re the head of New York. You have the cartel's backing. Can’t you persuade these families to tell Diego to fuck off? If we all stand together, he won’t have anywhere to work. His operation can’t continue without all of those cities helping him.”
“I can only make so much of a case.” He shrugged. “Money is the bottom line. If Diego pays them well, they will look the other way.”
“Without us, he can’t succeed.”
“He does need our city to totally succeed. If we don’t cooperate, he’ll have to pack up and go home, but he’s not going to go quietly. If the other families on the east coast back him, we’re looking at one hell of a fight.”
“We have to shut him down before that happens.”
“Make arrangements to get your brother home as soon as possible.” He stood. “We have to stop wasting time and bring the trinity back together.”
“I’m on it.” I reached for my phone. “I have to arrange security to bring them back. We can’t have any screw ups.”
“Only our best people do this.” He flattened his palms on my desk. “Everyone else is on a need-to-know basis. I need you to get this right on the first try. Take your time so there are no mistakes.”
The high stakes surrounding us heightened our intuition. We couldn’t afford to have Diego intercept Marchello and Lissia. Now that Diego had possible alliances with Boston, Chicago, and Philly, his reach was going to be further. It was best to have Marchello here. The three of us were stronger together. Each of us had a unique skill set that complemented one another.
My intercom buzzed. “Milo,” Angela said. “Sorry to interrupt you while you’re with Nico, but Sable wants to see you.”
“She’s here?” I glanced at my father whose tight expression displayed his annoyance.
“Send her in, Angela,” my father answered for me.
“Sure, Nico.” Angela lifted her finger off the intercom button.
I stood and buttoned my jacket.Why is she here?The twisted part of me was intrigued that she would cave and come to me.The other part, the one that was a little more rational, knew that she shouldn’t be here, because this could only end one way.
“This won’t take long.” I came around my desk. “Then I’ll focus on Marchello.”
“Take all the time you need to get this out of your system.” He straightened his tie that really didn’t need to be adjusted. He was too meticulous for a crooked tie. “After today, whatever this is between the two of you needs to be resolved. She’s either staying or she’s going. No in-between.”
I nodded, but there was no way Sable and I would ever be resolved. We couldn't be together. We were the epitome of a tragic love story. We had no future.
“I don’t have an opinion either way,” he said. “I just want you to do what is best for you.”
