Matteo is not going down without a fight.
“He’s going to keep coming after us,” I say as Gabriel and I head into his restaurant. Rocco is already waiting for us. “He just went after one of your gun shipments. He’s not going to stop.”
“I know, Leo,” Gabriel says in a hard voice. “Which is why we either need to kill him or offer him another deal and see if he accepts and is willing to make peace again.”
I scoff. “He went after Emma. I want him dead.”
Gabriel places his hand on my shoulder. “I know that. But if we can get him to make peace, it’s better for everyone. You can agree on that.” He nods at Rocco. “Thank you for coming today. I had something I needed to discuss with you.”
We all settle down in the back booth away from the paying customers.
“What is it?” Rocco asks.
“Matteo is proving to be a problem.” Gabriel sits there with his hands clasped, looking like a true mafia boss. “We can continue going to war with him or we can make peace. I tried offering him Emma and that was a mistake. I see that now. I shouldn’t have tried giving up a woman who was already married. But there is still something we can try.”
“What is it?” Rocco asks in a hard tone.
“Your daughter, Luciana. We can marry her to Matteo for peace.”
Rocco surges to his feet. “I am not giving my daughter away to a madman.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this, Rocco, but your daughter is part of the mafia, just like you are. You knew she’d be used for deals.”
“But she’smydaughter. Mine. Not some lowborn girl you can do with as you please. She’s high ranking. She deserves better.”
“Because she’s high ranking, it might please Matteo. It might make him stop this petty war.”
“Might. Might.”
Gabriel sighs. “I know this isn’t ideal, Rocco. I know you love your daughter. I know you want her safe. But this is our chance for peace.”
“We’re always searching for peace,” he spits out. “But we’ll never find it. We’re the fucking mafia for god’s sake.”
“I know. But this is our chance. Matteo stole my most recent gun shipment. He’s proving himself dangerous. This is our chance to bring him back into the fold.”
“Leo doesn’t want to make peace with him.”
Both men turn to me. “Of course not. I hate him. He tried taking Emma from me. But…”
Rocco huffs. “But?”
“But if this is a chance for Emma to be safe, then I’ll take it.”
“By sacrificing my daughter.”
“I know you’re not happy about this,” Gabriel says. “I know, Rocco. But you have to think clearly. If we marry Luciana to Matteo, it could create peace and we’d gain a powerful ally. It’s a win-win.”
“It’s a win-lose because I’d have to lose my daughter.”
“I know. But you knew this day would come, Rocco. You knew it. I want your support on this. I don’t want to go against you. Think it over and get back to me. But choose wisely.”
“Or I’ll be your enemy then?” Rocco scoffs. “I have been at your side for years, Gabriel.”
“I know. Which is why I want your consent on this but you know I have the power to make this decision without it. Because we’re friends and I respect you, I am giving you time to agree to this. You know it’s for the best.”
Rocco shakes his head, still fuming. “I am pissed, you know that?”
“I do.” Gabriel’s calm demeanor is fucking scary. I’m glad I’m on his good side again. “But you know this is for the best and youwill come around to it. You can’t keep your daughter with you forever.”
