Page 35 of Shattered Empire (Shattered World)

I turned to mySovietnik. “Why do you say,even for him?” I asked suspiciously.

“Well,” Vas rubbed the back of his head, looking a bit uncomfortable, “you know that Leon is Italian…”

“Yeah? So? I thought maybe he used to work for Dante.”

Vas flinched.

“No.” He sighed heavily. “Leon’s last name is La Rosa.”

And you could hear a pin drop.

That was how quiet the room became as everyone around me stared at Vas with utter shock painted across their faces.

And there I stood, like a fucking idiot trying to figure out what the fuck was going on.

“Who are the—” I didn’t get a chance to finish my sentence.

“La Rosa?” My father’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “YourObshchakis Leon La Rosa? Son of Augustu La Rosa? Don of the West Coast Cosa Nostra? The butcher? The—”

“We get the point, Dad.” I’m not sure which part startled him more. Leon’s family tree or my calling him Dad.

Either way, he was left speechless for a few minutes while his mouth hung open like a guppy fish.

“Is that where he’s been this whole time?” I questioned Vas. “Is Dima with him? Or is he out visiting his own family with prominent mafia roots as well? Who’s his father? Putin?”

Vas didn’t find me amusing.

Whatever. It was a good line.

“Don’t worry about Dima,” he scolded. “He is fine, and yes, that is where Leon has been. We discovered some ties between yourgrandfatherand the Portland Cosa Nostra. Leon thought he could gain some insight and maybe even an alliance, but he’s having a hard time of it.”

“Why?”

“His father is only willing to help if he gains from it.”

“What does he want?”

“An alliance.”

“With us?” I asked. “I have no problem with that.”

“A marriage alliance.”

Nope. Nada. Wasn’t happening.

“I’m taken.”

“You’re widowed.”

“And not into a man who came out of the womb wearing a suit.”

“Could be worse.” Vas shrugged with a smile. “Augustu could have wanted you to marry him instead.”

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

“I’ll pass.”

Vas chuckled.

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