The Scilari has one rule: no human trafficking or face death.
I wave him off. “Mr. Bennici is my uncle.”
Angelo and Emil are from Ziu’s era. My uncle formed the alliance decades ago. I continued the longstanding tradition after I took over the Bennici clan, one of the strongest in the Scilari. Andrea became his own clan with an alliance of “cousins” who aren’t his blood relatives. His software knowledge and hacking abilities make him a force in operational security.
Angelo clears his throat. “Any threat to you or Mr. Trapiani—“
Andrea cuts his eyes.
“Andrea,” he clarifies, “is a direct threat to us. The Preda are encroaching on our drug business. We’ve heard through our channels that they’re forming an alliance with another family outside of the area.”
Alliances aren’t uncommon. Andrea and I have them. It’s good business to work with potential rivals.
“We’ll touch base with our contact soon,” I say about the arms they purchase through us. “Change your routes. Emil, a meeting with your contact in the Regional Assembly might provide additional clarity.”
He nods.
Andrea eyes the table. “I won’t stress the importance of limiting the flow of information within your clans. Tighten your shit up to reduce leaks.”
Dinner ends with a renewed agreement to continue our partnership—into war, internal or external. Between our businesses, no other Scilari clan touches Andrea or me. Access to our information networks, countermeasures to evade law enforcement, and guns make us sources of power and envy. Anyone is welcome to challenge us, but if it’s a matter of death, they’ll die before we do.
The sun fades over the Ionian Sea as the first sign of night clings to the waves.When was the last time I paid attention to a sunset?
Andrea joins me at the balcony window. “We should bump our meeting with Elio up,” I say.
“I’ll look into who the Preda is working with in the area. Should we call anyone in?”
“Not yet. If we retaliate with full force, every politician and police officer in the Preda’s pocket will make an example of us.”
Whoever’s attacking our alliance is cautious. Calculated. They’re smart enough to test us without actions that reveal their identity.
“Let’s feed people different information,” Andrea suggests. “If there’s another hit, we’ll know who it is.”
“You’re smart when you’re not being an ass.”
“How’s this for smart: We got an alert on the woman you’ve been looking for.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
He shrugs. “There’s a lot going on. We’re killing more. Meetings.”
Testa di minchia.
“Her name is Diana. A few men are on their way to Naples now to grab her.”
“Call me once she’s been transported. I want her in my basement for questioning,” I say.
I didn’t plan on staying in Catania. If Diana is here, I’ll schedule Bianca to come out.
Chapter 8
Kidnapped in a Bonnet
Bianca
The right love will have a girl looking wild if she’s not careful. Exhibit A: Me running out of my house with zero cares or a glance at a mirror. Nothing is coming between me and the source of my moans.
My kitten heel sandals clack across the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The gold-toned designer shoes add an extra shimmy to my step, which I use to switch my hips. If people are going to gawk, I’ll give them a show.
