Page 96 of Mafia Mistress

“Rav, this could be very bad.”

I told him to be quiet, not wishing to discuss this where anyone might overhear. Once we were closed up in my office, I said, “You are worrying for nothing. I will handle Mancini.”

“He’s pissed. You didn’t hear his voice. He learned that you took Francesca as your mantenuta, that you have no intention of marrying her to your son.”

It was inevitable that Mancini would hear of this information. I hadn’t tried to hide my relationship with Francesca and people talked. So I would not lie to him—but I did not need his permission, either. If I wanted to keep Francesca tied to my bed forever, then there was nothing Mancini could do about it. “Get him on the phone.”

I slipped off my suit coat and rolled up my sleeves while Marco dialed Mancini on the secure line. I paid a fortune for the privilege of privacy here, and even then, it was risky. We tried not to use phones for our illegal operations, unless they were the disposable kind.

Mancini picked up on the first ring. “Yes?”

“Ciao, Roberto.”

I heard shuffling on the other end, like he was moving to a place where he wouldn’t be overheard. “You stronzo,” he snarled into the phone. “You had no right to turn my daughter into a whore.”

“Your daughter was no innocent. We caught a man sneaking out of her bedroom window that morning in Toronto.”

“You lie. Francesca would never—”

“His name was David and she had been fucking him for months. Have you no idea what goes on in your household at all?” This was an insult to a man such as us, that we are not the rulers of our homes.

I could tell the news did not sit well with Mancini. He was thinking this over, probably trying to see if what I said was true and how he could work it to his advantage.

I wasn’t about to give him the chance.

“Allora, I should be furious that you gave me damaged goods for my son, Roberto. I expected a pure bride, one to bear the Ravazzani heirs. Instead, I have taken Francesca to my bed and now she is well cared for and respected.”

“As your mantenuta,” he spat. “Hardly a position of respect.”

“It was the best she could hope for, considering. You are lucky I did not send her back to you and demand payment in full on our debt.” He couldn’t afford to pay me, not with money. “Or, I could have asked for one of your other daughters for my son.”

“They are only sixteen. Hardly ready for marriage.”

“That is not uncommon here,” I said, even though I would have waited, as I planned to do with D’Agostino’s sister.

“I would never allow it.”

I laughed, but it was cruel and without humor. “There is not much you can prevent, if I wish it. Do not forget who it is you are speaking with.”

“This is an insult to my family,” Mancini said. “My other daughters will have a hard time finding husbands because of the shame you have inflicted upon Francesca.”

“That is not my problem. If you had kept better control of your oldest daughter, then she would be marrying my son, as we originally discussed. The insult was against my family in that you gave her to me in the first place, knowing she was not innocent.”

“I want her to come home. Immediately.”

Though Mancini couldn’t see it, I let my lips curve into a malevolent grin. “Absolutely not. I am keeping her. When I decide I am through, then I will let her go wherever she wishes.”

I could hear him breathing on the other end, the fury evident in every exhale. He was like a dragon, ready to spew fire. But he had no leverage over me. While he might be powerful in Toronto, I was a hundred times more powerful all around the globe. My name inspired fear in the hearts of hardened criminals from Berlin to Brazil, Colombia to New York. “Now, are we done? I have things to do.”

“For now, Ravazzani.”

The line went dead. I wasn’t thrilled that he hung up on me, but I was in too good of a mood to care. Marco was frowning at me when I looked up. “What is it?” I asked.

“You were very calm during that call. Perhaps too calm?”

I threw up my hands. “You are normally chastising me for my temper. Which is it? Do you want me to be calm or angry?”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “But after that kiss in the entryway and now this call with Mancini, I have to wonder if Francesca is good for you.”

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