Page 52 of Crimson Fate

Carmine leans forward, his eyes narrowing as he studies me with newfound interest. “Well, Vincent, I have to admit, I’m a little confused.”

“And what exactly are you confused by? I think I’ve spoken very plainly about what my expectations are. Under my father, as you know, we have always had the policy that we don’t dabble in the same products your family distributes. It will remain the same under me. Period.” Each word is deliberate.

“Ah,” Carmine says, a mirthless smile creasing his face. “See, that’s not the part that confuses me. Where I’m confused is that we were not the ones who approached your captains. In fact, it was your organization that initially approached us.”

My facade of confidence momentarily falters. I search Carmine’s eyes for any hint of deception, but all I find is a cold, unyielding gaze.

“That can’t be true,” I respond, my voice tinged with doubt.

Carmine chuckles darkly, the sound reverberating through the room. “Your father may have taught you a lot, but Vincent, you still have much to learn about the business.”

My fingers instinctively curl into tight fists at my sides as a surge of anger courses through me. “And what exactly do you mean by that?”

He studies me for a moment, the silence in the room an entity all its own, charged with electricity.

“I will be as brutally honest with you as I am with my son. Do you think you have what it takes to lead? To carry this famiglia on your shoulders? Part of that responsibility is to be able to see when you have a snake in your own backyard.”

A chill runs down my spine as Carmine’s words echo in the silence of the study. A snake in my own backyard? The thought gnaws at me, planting seeds of doubt and suspicion. I’ve always prided myself on being sharp and understanding the intricate web of alliances and rivalries within our world. But if Carmine is right, I have failed in my duties as the head of the King family. I hadn’t seen who Isabella was or the threat she posed to our family.

“Carmine,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me, “you have my attention. Explain.”

“It appears you and I have been played,” he says slowly, each word weighted with meaning. “Someone within your organization approached us, expressing interest in joining forces. They offered an opportunity that was too lucrative to ignore, giving us the impression that you were on board with this decision. I can assure you, we would have made no efforts to move forward if we had thought otherwise.”

“I can assure you, I gave no such orders. Why would one of my own people do that?” My mind races, trying to piece together what Carmine is telling me.

“In my experience, it’s usually for money or power, and sometimes both,” he replies. “Your father honored the old ways, and out of respect for him, I will allow you to get your house in order, but only this one time. If the opportunity comes knocking again, son, I will have to answer it.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Just a fact,” he replies, his gaze never wavering. “One you’d do well to consider.”

The weight of Carmine’s words sinks deep into my consciousness. The revelation that someone within my own organization has betrayed me causes a fire to rage in my belly.

“Carmine,” I say slowly, my voice carrying a newfound resolve, “I appreciate your willingness to give me the chance to rectify this situation. Rest assured, if you will do me the kindness of sharing with me the name of this snake, I will be in your debt.”

Carmine eyes me with a mix of surprise and intrigue. “I must admit, you have surprised me. I expected more denial and excuses from you, but it seems you truly have your father’s blood running through your veins.”

A flicker of pride warms my chest as Carmine acknowledges my determination. My father had built our family on loyalty and trust, and my duty was to protect that legacy.

Carmine leans forward, a glint of admiration in his eyes. “Very well. I will give you the name of the person who approached us, but only on one condition.”

“What is the condition?”

Carmine’s lips curl into a sly smile. “You will owe me a favor. A favor I can call upon anytime in the future, no matter how distant.”

I consider his offer carefully, realizing crossing paths with Carmine DeLuca could have its own consequences. But I also know I need this information to cleanse my organization of the traitor within.

“Agreed,” I say firmly, extending my hand across the desk.

Carmine and I shake on our pact. “Very well,” he says. “The snake you’re looking for is Anthony Casaletto.”

My heart sinks at the revelation, knowing in that instant what it means for any possible future between Gia and me.

Chapter Nineteen

The city’s pulse fades behind me as I navigate the labyrinth of streets that lead back to my penthouse. I consider calling Marco on the way to warn him about Anthony, but I decide it’s best explained in person.

As I drive, I go over the treachery in my mind. I knew Anthony was plotting against me, angling for control over the King’s empire, but I assumed that stopped when I agreed to marry his daughter. Gia’s children, his grandchildren, would become heirs to the King empire. Why keep trying to push the other captains into moving drugs for Lorenzo? Could Carmine be right, and it all boils down to a matter of money and power? Was having Gia marry me only a strategy to help make the path to the throne unquestionable? Were his plans more sinister than I could ever have imagined? Could the play be that if he were my father-in-law and something happened to me, he could step into the role of boss without question?

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