Page 72 of Lovely Venom

“He’s not going to budge on this,” Angelo says.

“He’s here, isn’t he?”

“He wants the alliance sealed through marriage. He made that very clear.”

When I don’t respond, Angelo sighs.

“What’s going on with you and Chantel?”

“Nothing that concerns you.”

“It concerns me if that’s what’s holding you back. You always said when you married, it would be a practical arrangement. So what’s changed?”

I toss back the whiskey in my glass in lieu of answering.

“We’re all depending on you,” Angelo reminds me, as if I didn’t already know that. “I can’t offer up Rafe or Michele now. Bastien wants you.”

A dull ache throbs at my temples as I collapse onto the sofa.

I’m aware of the stakes. The Vitales don’t bend the knee to anyone, nor do we willingly hand over valuable resources to our enemies.

This alliance benefits the Corsican syndicate equally, and if Bastien is sensible, he’ll take the deal as it stands. If he’s not, he’ll learn that leverage won’t work on me, no matter how long he drags this out.

“You can’t seriously think she has wife potential.” Angelo keeps at it.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Well, to start with, she’s a liability.”

My gaze snaps to his. “Say that again, and I’ll knock your teeth out. I don’t care what your fucking title is.”

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters. “It’s even worse than I thought. Has anything happened between you two?”

I ignore that landmine, so Angelo takes it upon himself to state the obvious.

“She was dating your best friend.”

“And your wife was engaged to our brother before you bled him dry.”

“Don’t talk about my fucking wife,” he threatens.

“I’ve made my point.”

He stares at me like he wants to say something else, but the door down the hall opens before he gets the chance.

“Keep him on the hook tonight,” he grits out. “We’ll strategize later, but for now, he needs to believe there’s still room to negotiate.”

We both neutralize our expressions as we step out into the corridor to meet Bastien and Jolie. The old man looks pleased after his meeting with the artist, but I doubt it’s moved the needle on his decision. He takes the time to get to know his potential partners, and he enjoys the process.

It’s practical, but at this rate we’ll probably be inviting him to Christmas.

“Cristian.” He inclines his head. “I hear you have something special planned for Jolie after we conclude our business.”

Angelo catches my gaze and gives me a subtle nod. Whatever the fuck this is, he arranged it.

“Our chef has prepared a meal for you while we speak with your father,” I tell Jolie. “I’ll show you to the lounge.”

“Perhaps Angelo can show her,” Bastien suggests. “I’d like to have a private conversation with you.”