Page 45 of Queen’s Gambit

“Exactly. I need to show strength and prove that I’m a valuable ally to Vadin so he’ll want me to marry Ana.”

“Okay…I get all of that, but how are you accomplishing this? Yes, Varriano uses your docks, but what happens if Ladanov finds out? He has the soldiers to crush you.” I smiled at my friend. “What? What haven’t you told me?”

“I may have acquired more land this past year that is proving to be extremely lucrative. Enough so that I’ve tripled what my family had in soldiers, and with the money from Varriano, I can hire more, maybe a few mercenaries as well.”

“Yeah, but will they be loyal?”

“All leaders must prove themselves worthy of loyalty. I’ll show them that I am,” I said, turning off the main road that led right into the heart of Rimrock.

“I still think it’s risky, but I’ve got your back. So, what exactly are Paul and I doing?”

“Nothing. Stay in the SUV, and if things go wrong….”

“Nope, nuh uh, not happening.”

“I have to agree with Marcus. Even if one of us stays with the vehicle, you should have someone in there with you,” Paul said.

“Yeah, what he said,” Marcus agreed.

“Okay, fine. Marcus will stay with the vehicle, and Paul, you’re with me.”

“What?” Marcus’s face was the dictionary description of indignant as he stared at me. “But I’m your best friend.”

“You’re also annoying, and you don’t know when enough is enough. There is a good chance they shoot us both just to shut you up,” I said.

He pointed at me like he was going to argue. “Okay, fine. I have trouble keeping my mouth shut,” he admitted as we pulled into the parking lot of the meet.

As instructed, I drove around the building. A limo and three other vehicles were parked by the back door, surrounded by heavily armed guards.

“I don’t think it will matter where you are,” I said, coming to a stop. “Okay, new plan. You both are coming with me, but don’t say a thing unless I ask you a direct question.”

“Understood,” Marcus said, uncharacteristically focused.

“I understand,” Paul said.

The guards didn’t move an inch as we got out of my SUV. They were not intimidated by us or anything we might have had for weapons. That told me everything I needed to know. If this meeting didn’t go well, we would be lucky to walk out with shattered kneecaps. That would be the best-case scenario.

Showing weakness wasn’t an option tonight. I stared down the biggest of the guards, stopping a few feet away.

“I have a meeting with Mr. Varriano, I’m….”

“I know who you are,” he said, cutting me off but not moving.

“Was there a secret handshake I missed? Or should I just leave since you’re wasting my time,” I said, and his lip twitched.

“Weapons.”

We pulled up our shirts and pants before turning our pockets inside out to show we didn’t have anything on us.

“Go ahead.”

Gunshots rang out as I pulled the door open. More guards lined the hallway and nodded as we passed, gesturing to the ‘Staff Only’ exit at the end. The range was full tonight, each stall occupied with a shooter. We waited by the door while I searched for hidden cameras and any other surprises that might have been waiting for us. The round ended, and a guard approached one of the men. I knew it had to be Carlo even though I couldn’t see his face from this angle.

Sure enough, a gentleman around my father’s age walked over and snapped his fingers. I tensed, but a guard handed him a drink while another set out a folding chair.

“So, you’re Alessandro’s boy,” Carlo said.

“I’m his son. But I’m no boy.”