Heat creeps up my neck, but I don’t waver. I hold my ground, standing in front of Dan like a shield, though inside, I’m shaking. Thank heavens Angelos isn’t here to see this.
Dan lifts his hands higher. “I have intel you’ll want to see,” he says evenly. “Information about you, Elio. Evidence that could see you rotting in jail for the rest of your life.”
Elio’s eyes narrow, his finger twitching dangerously on the trigger. Sweat beads on his forehead, but his aim doesn’t falter. “You dare to come into my home and threaten me?”
Dan keeps his voice level, unflinching. “I’m merely stating facts. How this plays out is up to you. But I have a proposition.”
Elio’s jaw ticks. For a heartbeat, I wonder if he’ll pull the trigger, anyway. But then he lowers the gun just a little. “You’d better start talking, Bianchi, before I silence you once and for all.”
We move to the table. Dan takes the seat across from Mamma, but I can’t bear to let go of him. I stay at his side, my hand tight on his arm, like he’s the only thing tethering me to solid ground.
Dan’s words are sharp and deliberate. “I want a truce between our families. The Messinas are taking over the docks and intercepting cargo.”
Elio scoffs. “What the hell has that got to do with me?”
“Because the cargo they’re intercepting is yours, as well asRiccardo’s. If we teamed up, they wouldn’t dare operate in the vicinity.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Elio snaps.
Dan reaches slowly into his pocket, and I hold my breath. Elio’s hand twitches, holding the gun, his eyes darkening with suspicion.
Dan produces a small USB stick, holding it between his fingers like a grenade ready to blow. “Intel on the Messinas,” he says simply. “If you cooperate, I keep the intel I have on you to myself.”
“What’s in it for you?” Elio growls, mistrust oozing from every word.
Dan’s eyes flick to mine, full of warmth, almost making me forget the chill in my blood. “A truce. No more family rivalry.”
Elio sneers. “Why the fuck would you care?”
Dan’s voice softens, but it feels like a blow to my chest. “Because I’m sure Rose will want her family with us when we marry.”
My breath catches. My fingers tighten around his thigh beneath the table as warmth ripples through my chest.
“I think you’re forgetting,” Elio bites out, venom dripping from his words, “that my sister is already married.”
A bitter taste fills my mouth. Acid creeps up my throat.
Dan’s gaze hardens, his voice dropping to a low growl. “I got rid of the bastard once.”
I turn to him, my heart lurching. “That was you?” My voice is barely above a whisper. “You put him in prison?”
Dan’s hand covers mine, firm and sure. “I’ll finish the job properly this time,” he vows. His voice is like unbending steel. “He won’t have the luxury of a cell after everything he did to you.”
Elio places the gun next to his plate and nods to the USB stick in Dan’s hand.
Dan throws it the short distance acrossthe table and my brother catches it, a curl on his lips as if he just scored a home run.
“I’ll take a look at this before I make any deals with a Bianchi.”
The door creaks open, a familiar voice slithers into the room. “Isn't this a cosy family reunion?”
I whip my head around, my throat tightening painfully. Icicles scrape down my spine.
No.
Magnus strolls along the back wall, behind Mamma and Elio, casual as you please, plucking from the breakfast buffet like he’s a guest at a family brunch. And behind him… oh please, no.
Angelos.
