Page 27 of Stolen Bride for the Don

He nods, and I take out my phone to text Tanner.

* * *

The meeting is in a VIP section of the Rossi’s club close to the docks. The bouncer looked like he had seen a ghost when I got out of my car. I raise a finger to my lips, and he nods compliantly as I walk past him. Crew slams the bottom of his gun against the bouncer’s temple, and he crumples to the ground. Insurance in case we need to make a quick getaway.

The club is empty save for the culprits and a few of the employees. They don’t notice me at first, and I motion to Crew to be still as we melt into the shadows, which is easy enough to do in the low lighting.

“He took out the Giovannis like rats and scattered their body parts all over the city. He chased the members of their family out of the state, and as we speak, he’s already taking over their territory. He already has more than any of us and now this?! He’s obviously getting greedy for more power.” Dominic Rossi finishes his passionate speech amid murmurs from the others.

I glance around the room, noting those present. I see Dominic Rossi and his brother, Tomasi. Vice Bianchi, the head of the Bianchi family, and his enforcer. Angelo Ventura, head of the Ventura family and his consigliere. Bruno Lombardi, the head of the Lombardi family and his son. Four of the five elder families of which I’m the fifth. That means everyone is present. Good.

“Truth be told,” Tomasi starts to say as he gets on his feet. “Massimo has always made me uneasy. He was a capo under Alberto Mancini, and he ruthlessly wiped out the man and his entire lineage when he rose to power. Not only that, but he’s slowly expanded his empire to the point where he’s become even more powerful than us, even though we’ve had our territories longer.”

“That was a result of his cunning,” Vice Bianchi insists.

“His cunning and ruthlessness you mean,” Dominic corrects. “Admit it, Vice, he’s getting more dangerous by the day. As it stands, the only way we can take him is if we all band together.”

“We’ve told him to find a wife and settle down. Once he does, he becomes more vulnerable and will be easier to control. A wife will soften his sharp edges,” Bruno says, and I raise a brow.

Tomasi spits out, “And you think he’ll do as you say?”

“We all put it to a vote, and he agreed,” Angelo says testily. “Why are we even having this conversation without the man in question? I was under the impression that you invited everyone. I will not be a party to this…whatever this is.” He rises to his feet.

“No, wait. I did invite him. I invited him, and he didn’t show up. What does that tell you? He doesn’t take me seriously. He doesn't take any of us seriously.”

“What do you mean I didn’t show up?” I step out of the shadows. “I was simply wrapped up in unavoidable business that delayed me.”

“Ma-massimo,” Tomasi stammers, blood draining from his face. His brother turns his chin up at me.

“Now that you’re here, explain this nonsense about you taking over the Giovanni territory,” Bruno Lombardi demands.

“Simple. The Giovannis crossed the line when they blew up my warehouses and tried to shoot up the employees in one of my clubs. So, I retaliated. With them out of the picture, someone else had to step up. And they owed me.” I drag a chair to their table, but I don’t sit. Not yet.

“I heard about that. Good for you.” Angelo grins. His territory is the closest to mine and I’ve had to cross paths with him more often than with the others. We have an understanding, me and him. I wouldn’t go as far as to say we’re allies, but we’re not enemies, either.

“You should’ve texted Dominic to let him know you’d be late to the meeting,” Vice admonishes. He’s the eldest at forty-six, and he’s been Don the longest. It’s probably what makes him the easiest going of us all.

I glance at Dominic whose cheeks heat up. We both know that he didn’t invite me. “It’s fine, now that he’s here,” he murmurs.

“Great. So what did I miss?” I ask, tucking my chair between Dominic Rossi and Angelo Ventura as I sit.

“When we’ll meet your bride.” Bruno raises a questioning brow.

“Soon enough,” I answer easily as one of the staff comes over to ask what I’d like. I wave her off dismissively. I won’t be staying long enough to enjoy anything.

“Do you even have a bride?” Tomasi asks snidely, finally finding his voice since I made my presence known. “Or do you need us to introduce you to our sister?”

“That’s a good idea! Maybe if you marry Lucia Rossi, it will finally mend the bad blood between your families.” Vice nods.

“That’s too bad. I already have someone in mind. Maybe Lucia can marry one of my men?” I offer with a smirk.

“As the head of the Moratti family, you can’t just marry anyone. She has to be from good stock to take her place next to you,” Bruno says. “And the Rossi’s are the only ones with an unwed female that, I believe, has the necessary pedigree.”

Look at him talk about a potential bride like a horse he wants to purchase. I narrow my eyes at Bruno. “I am well aware of this, and I’ve chosen my future bride with that in mind.”

“Save us from the suspense then and tell us who this paragon of virtue is.” Dominic crosses his arms over his chest.

I’ll have to give them something to get them off my back. I lock my gaze on Dominic as I answer, “Andrea Beaufort. Ring any bells?” Word on the street is that a few years ago, he went to John Beaufort and tried to marry his daughter to gain influence, but obviously John declined.

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