Page 50 of The Arianna Arrangement

“How can I be assured you wouldn’t try to sell on those campuses or recruit numbers for your family?”

The drug question was valid, but none of the families were recruiting members from college campuses. That was too messy.

“The reverse could be true. Giving you access to my territory could open the door to you or your men trying to poach our business. But it won’t because we’d be family. Our agreement would hold us to basic standards. Not stealing each other's business, not starting trouble in each other's territory, not attacking each other. We’d be able to cross territory lines freely with the understanding that it wasn’t a threat. If one of our men violated the terms, then they would be executed by the family they offended with no retaliation. If one of us breaks it, the syndicate would treat it the same as they would if someone broke the accords.”

Luka scrubbed his hand down his face. “This is definitely an interesting proposal.” He looked at his father. “The access to New Jersey would cut costs dramatically and having the brothel would allow you to make more connections.”

Tommaso ran his tongue across his teeth. “But the brothel is untested. When Lucian decided to open it you said you thought it would bring too much attention and was a great way to get caught.”

Adriano’s jaw ticked. “That is true. But he invited the heads of the families to his soft opening as a gesture of good will. He set it up properly and I was thinking of trying to emulate it. This would be easier.” I was surprised they were having this discussion in front of us, but it had to be a good sign. “He’s probably rolling over in his casket right now that you’re offering it up for the trade.”

“I think he’d understand that this deal would be extremely beneficial to us, so giving up his baby for the opportunity to make this alliance along with starting a new venture would make it all worthwhile.”

I highly doubted that. Lucian would never have made this deal, but I also knew that Sandro didn’t give a single fuck. He was going to run the family the way he wanted to and Manhattan would be better because of it.

Don Accardi rubbed his jaw as he thought. “What are you thinking as far as a timeline for the wedding?”

We had him.

Sandro leaned forward, putting his arms on the table the way Lucian did when he knew he had control of a room. Even though he was nothing like his father, the similarities in mannerisms couldn’t be denied. “In an ideal world, I would like Valentina to have some time to come around to the idea. But this isn’t an ideal world and definitely not ideal timing. I would need the wedding to take place in a month's time. That would mean announcing the engagement immediately.”

Luka chuckled. “You’re going to have your work cut out for you.”

Adriano gave his son a withering look before turning his attention back to Sandro. “Make it two months and you have a deal. I’ll break the news to my daughter tonight. She’ll be by your side at the funeral tomorrow and then we’ll meet to sign the contract the day after.”

The men stood and shook on it, before we all headed out of the room.

As soon as we stepped foot outside the club, all hell broke loose. Some guy in a biker's cut was standing at the base of the steps smoking a cigarette but before I could make out anything else, Tommaso had his gun drawn and pointed at the guy's head.

“Whoa.” I stepped around him and got between the gun and the guy I’d never met before. It was probably stupid, but Apollo had been teaching me for years how to spot an opportunity to gain a favor. “What’s with the gun?”

It was Luka that spoke, but his brother didn’t lower the gun. “The Crimson Room may be neutral ground for the families, but outsiders aren’t allowed on any NYC territory. We’d maybe let it pass if he was just passing through, but standing outside of the establishment where the families are known to meet shows ill intention.”

If I could get them to back down, this guy would owe me a life debt. “That’s my mistake. My father and I do business with the Saintless Sons. We were supposed to be meeting tonight at our estate, but when Lucian died, we were needed in New York. He was already on the road so we asked him to meet here.” I turned my back to the gun, very stupid, but needed, and looked at the guy that was standing there with an eyebrow cocked like he had guns pointed on him every day. “That didn’t require you to follow me here, though. I thought we were meeting at a diner later.”

The guy smirked. “What can I say? I’m a busy man and didn’t want to wait around forever. Especially after having to drive even further.”

Sandro sighed and hung his head. “Luka, have your brother lower the weapon.”

I couldn’t see what was happening behind me, but when Luka didn’t speak and I heard a gun being cocked, I figured this was about to get messy. When I turned back around, I saw Marco with a gun to Tommaso’s head.

“This all feels like a bit much.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, pretending to be annoyed instead of worried. “I apologize for this intrusion. Know that I will handle it. Now, can we please all just get on with our lives?”

Luka looked between me and the guy behind me. “What business does your family do with a motorcycle club?”

My jaw tensed and I narrowed my eyes at him. “That’s none of your goddamn business. Don’t mistake my politeness for weakness. I have shown you the respect you deserve as the heir to the Accardi family and the brothers of my soon to be sister-in-law. It would do you well to show me the respect I’m due as well.”

Luka didn’t say a word, but flicked his eyes to his brother. It was enough for Tommaso to get the message and he flicked the safety back on and pocketed his gun. Marco did the same.

I could feel the tension bleed from my body though I made sure it didn’t show on my face. “Thank you.” I turned to Sandro. “I’ll head on with him to the diner we agreed to meet at and have my father meet us there.” My security had driven here separately just in case I needed to make an escape.

The Accardi’s along with Sandro and Marco walked on out to the street where their security pulled up. Once they were in their vehicles and had pulled off, I turned my attention to the guy in front of me. It was then that I noticed the name and rank on his chest. Remnant. Sergeant of Arms.

Could this be the guy that sold Ari the drugs that killed her father?

The guy scrubbed a hand over his face. “I guess I owe you one.”

I scoffed. “No shit. What are you doing here anyway? You had to know this was a bad idea.”