Dante took in a deep breath and I scowled, irritated by his reluctance. Grant was never hesitant like this, just telling me what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it.
"Just rip off the fucking band-aid, already, Dante." I growled out.
"According to him, Nero gave him permission to sell at the Luna Azzurro."
“What?!” I turned to stare at him.
He met my gaze with a certainty that I knew he was confident with the news and betrayal stabbed me in the gut. I clenched my teeth, trying to keep a tight rein on my emotions.
Why the fuck I was surprised with this information? There was a reason why we were here, and not at my own home.
I didn't trust Nero. And now I had proof to the fact.
“And?" I bit out.
"I looked into it. I spoke with his uncle, Armando.”
"I know who Armando is," I interrupted.
"And it's true. Nero contacted Armando a week before all this happened. Told him to have his runners meet the Bratvas at Luna Azzurro so they could make contact, start selling the ozone there. He said he thought you and Coulter knew.”
"So Nero went behind my back and brokered a deal with Dimitri." I hated the bitterness in my voice but I hated that man even more.
“Yes."
I stared Dante down, pushing my next words out, even though I loathed to say them.
"Dante, did my father know that I was with Rose that night?”
Dante pressed his lips into a firm line but he gave me a short nod. "I believe so. I believe that Lucy had been working behind the scenes. She’d been told to watch out for Rose entering your home.”
“How do you know this?”
This time, his throat bobbed. “One of your guards owed her for a blow job. He contacted her when he saw on the video after you brought Rose through the gate. I think she went to Luna Azzuro to warn Coulter that they were coming in, but when he blew her off…”
My thoughts were stuck on his initial words; I didn’t give a fuck about Lucy, she was a traitor. But, apparently, so was John, the man who watched the cameras located at the gate. He was one of my inside men, someone whom I trusted to let me know what was going on in the house. Also, apparently, a traitor.
And all for a fuckin blow job.
“What happened to John?”
“He’s dead.”
I nodded, but his words didn’t bring me the relief I needed. Instead, the stab of betrayal inside me grew to a fever pitch.
I have four sons, and no need for all of them.
My father’s words, and Dimitri’s, as well, before he pulled the trigger meant for me.
So, my father lived up to his promise.
Coulter's mother hadn't betrayed us. All this had been played out, exactly as Nero had planned.
My own father had given Dimitri permission to kill me.
My own fucking father.
I always knew it was a possibility that he would kill me one day, but for some reason, I thought he would look me in the eyes when he did it.