Page 43 of Texting My Mafia Boss

I hang up the phone.

Ruggero sits at the head of the table in the basement of one of his clubs, the spot that’s swept for bugs three times a week. He looks unbothered, picking a piece of fluff from his immaculate suit. He hasn’t brought any of his men, and I’ve only brought Mark. I sit, trying to look as calm as he looks. But I’m seething inside. Is Dante stupid enough to do something without the Calvi go-ahead?

Mark gives me a look, warning me to calm down. He’s right. I need to think. My emotions have been closer to the surface ever since Mara came into my world.

“Where the fuck are they?” I growl, slamming my fist on the table.

Ruggero turns to me slowly. “It’s been two hours since our phone call. You said three.”

“This tardiness is a sign of disrespect.”

“Remember, nothing has been proven yet.”

“He’s on camera threatening Tuffin with a weapon, then Tuffin lies straight to our faces. And when the lie doesn’t work, he vanishes.”

“What purpose would Dante have for wrecking one of your stores?”

To try and provoke us into action, pit us against each other. To push me to hit a Calvi establishment in retaliation. To start a conflict so that the Calvis can seize what’s mine and turn this city into a Calvi playground.

Finally, the door opens. Bastian walks in, dragging Dante behind him. Bastian has a shit-eating grin on his face, proud of his accomplishment. He throws Dante onto the floor and takes out his gun.

Mark and I stand.

“Put down the gun,” I growl.

Bastian tilts his head at me in confusion. “What?”

I look at Ruggero. He gestures at his nephew. “This isn’t your grievance, Bastian. Forgive him, Ettore. My nephew is too keen at times.”

Bastian huffs and leans against the wall, putting his gun away. Dante looks around, confused, but still with those cold eyes.

I stand and walk over to him. “Why did you hit the jewelry store?”

“I didn?—”

I punch him across the mouth. “Don’t lie to me again.”

He gasps, touching his face. “To make a point.”

“Oh yeah?” I hit him again. “What point is that?”

He crawls to his knees. My father used to say I was too soft for this life, too sensitive. That’s why he had to harden me up. At times like these, I know he’s right. I actually feel for this idiot. But I have to be ice.

“To rule this city, you have to be strong.”

“Some point,” Bastian scoffs. “And you thought you could do this without my uncle’s permission? How did you imagine thatwould end? Right, Ettore, let me do the honors. We don’t tolerate disobedience.”

“Wait,” I say when Bastian takes out his gun again.

“Bastian,” Ruggero says.

I turn to him, nodding.

“That store had sentimental value to my father. Before he died, I promised I would take good care of it. Thisfilthhas violated that. He has caused me to betray my father’s memory. You will grant me the privilege of disposing of him in my own time. In my own manner.”

Ruggero glances at Bastian. I wonder what they’re thinking. Maybe,Shit, what if Dante talks?Or perhaps there’s nothing to be learned, either way I’ll find out, one way or the other.

“I didn’t take you for a man of such depraved tastes,” Ruggero says carefully. “We deal with our own in our own way.”