I rub my hand over my face, realizing that I’m still in the same clothes as yesterday and forgot to shave. I was so distracted watching Alina and Dominik that I forgot to properly prepare for my meeting.
The Italians are the last viable alliance on the board. If this deal collapses, there is no backup plan.
“Of course,” I say as I stand from my desk. “Wait five minutes, then bring them up to the meeting room. I just need to grab something first.”
Before he can say anything, I stride past him and to my bedroom. My stomach clenches at the sight of the empty cage. Last night was a mistake. Now, they’re closer than ever, and I’m fucking losing it before a vital meeting with a necessary ally.
Having Luciani’s help could turn the tide. The Italians are strong, organized fighters with important connections, and the Bratva needs that to defeat the Irish and win this war. We’re struggling on our own, and the Irish know that.
I just have to convince the Italians that getting involved in this conflict will be worth it for them.
After I brush my teeth and smooth down the strands of hair trying to stick up in different directions, I change into fresh clothes, then head to the meeting room, quickening my pace when I hear voices coming from the staircase. I barely make it inside and take a seat before Matvei leads Maximo Luciani and his cousin Enzo into the room.
“Gavriil Morozov,” Maximo greets me, his dark eyes sizing me up as he extends his hand.
I stand from my seat and shake his hand firmly, ignoring the way my body aches from sleeping in my chair for a few hours last night. I need to pull myself together. “I appreciate you coming over.”
“I was intrigued,” Maximo replies as he steps out of the way so that I can shake Enzo’s hand. He sits on the right side of the table, adjacent to me, leaning back in his chair casually. “The Bratva don’t usually ask for help.”
The side of Enzo’s mouth curls up in amusement as he sits down on the other side of his cousin.
“This could be mutually beneficial for you,” I say as I take a seat, fighting to keep my voice level. We’re not crawling on our hands and knees to them for help.
I’m looking to strike a deal that could benefit us both and end this war.
“Oh, I’d hope so. The Irish are mean bastards,” Maximo replies as he rests one hand on the table, a gold watch shining on his wrist. “We’re not going to stick our necks out for nothing.”
I glance over at Matvei as he remains standing near the door. His face remains steady, and I reflect it, keeping my annoyed comments to myself. The Italians can certainly be full of themselves.
“What do you want from us exactly?” Enzo asks, sitting up straight with his hands clasped together on the table.
“After some strategizing, we’ve determined that extra men for retaliatory attacks and additional weapons and vehicles would help us put the Irish and any other enemies back in their place,” I state, my hands perching on the arms of my cushioned chair as I force myself to relax back into it.
“And what happens if our vehicles are blown up like some of yours have been?” Enzo questions me.
My fingers tighten around the arms a degree. “We’d either pay you the cost of the vehicle or replace it with the same model.”
“You’ve let your territory turn into a war zone,” Maximo says, a slight smirk playing out on his lips. “Buildings and cars blowing up. Men shot and killed. I’m sure you understand our hesitancy to send our men and equipment into your side of town.”
A spark of anger ignites within me, and I lose my cool for a millisecond, my eyes narrowing. “We have things under control. The Irish aren’t the only ones attacking us, so we’re outnumbered here.”
“No other Bratva families can come to your rescue?” Maximo asks.
I don’t like that they keep referring to us like we’re helpless. Like we haven’t been fending off multiple attacks for weeks now on our own.
“They’re dealing with their own business in their own territories. Some are currently hundreds of miles away,” I tell him. “If you’re too nervous to join this war, say it now.”
I hear Matvei draw in a sharp breath behind me.
Enzo’s face hardens, while Maximo raises an eyebrow at me.
Fuck. I probably shouldn’t have said that, but they’re pissing me off only minutes into the meeting.
“You’re the one asking for help,” Maximo points out. “We have the men, weapons, and vehicles to spare for your efforts, but you need to make us an offer in return. We want to come out of this war victorious too if we stand by your side.”
“We’ve had to spend a lot of money lately to replace what they’ve destroyed, so we wouldn’t be able to pay it upfront, but we could work out an amount that both of us agree is acceptable,” I offer.
Maximo hums under his breath. “That’s the offer? An undecided amount of money that we’ll only get a cut of upfront.”
