"If you can't find Louie to make him pay, that's on you, not me."
"Really? If this was a business debt?"
My father mutters my name under his breath.
I hear the warning, but I don't heed it. We do business differently. And yes, mafia and organized crime have certain rules. But so does business.
"If it really was about a business debt, then you should've come to me and given me the chance to fix Louie's mess. Those debts I'll deal with fairly. I'll make him pay me. But you didn't come to me. This tells me his double-crossing and screwing you over is between you two. Not me."
I pause.
Then I think of something. "And the answer to that fucking you over is not to take an innocent man's family or, in this case, help someone else do it. Lyndall is not even sixteen. And you know Dad."
He doesn't speak for a long time. "I agree I may have misread the situation."
"It happens," Dad says, but the warning in his voice isn't aimed at me this time.
Eduardo glances between us. "You know, I might have misunderstood the situation, partly thanks to Dominic for making it appear like you were more involved than you actually are. He claimed you were in partnership with Louie on a deeper level."
"And you didn't want to kill me?"
"There are different levels, Enzo. Dominic made it sound like you were...involved somewhat, but a little dim. However, guilty is still guilty. You understand how I might take Dominic's word at face value. And perhaps I shouldn't have."
I stare at him, making sure my mouth isn't hanging open.
Honestly, I'm shocked at how reasonable Eduardo is turning out to be.
I expected him to see he was wrong and double down anyway.
This makes my head spin.
And his next words make it spin even harder.
"How about this? I'll help you get the girls back, for you and my friend, Mario, here."
"Alive?"
He smiles. "Safe and sound."
"And I should trust you because?"
"I am reasonable. Isn't that so, Mario?"
"You can be, yes."
But something crawls up my back, making me try to work out the man's angle here. "And the catch?"
Eduardo stands. "No hidden catch. I don't appreciate being misled. And you have your father's strength and fire. This is your battle, but I will help. Besides, I know you'll make Dom pay."
"With the fucker's life," I snarl.
And Eduardo beams. "As a gesture of goodwill, I'll even take care of Vincent for you."
My father shakes his head, his eyes darting to me, then back to the man standing in front of us. "I warned him about that."
"Youth." Costa exchanges a look with Dad, and they're both pissing me off.
But I'm also aware the help, if I can trust it, will be good. Perhaps needed.
