Page 81 of King of Sinners

“I appreciate that,” Mason says, cocking his head. “But I’m curious. What great blow is Carcetti getting tonight?”

Leo smiles at his brother. “I want it to be a surprise. Consider it a wedding gift. But first, I will need a clean shirt.”

“Fine,” Mason answers, giving me a long-suffering look before he pivots toward the bedroom. “This is your fault, Charlotte.”

“I’ll never forgive myself,” I answer with a giggle. Because I’m glad to see Mason and Leo getting along. This is how it should be.

Leo stops, looking between us. “You make a nice couple.”

Mason starts for his room. “Hell has frozen over.”

“Just wait…I’ve got an even bigger surprise for you tonight.” Leo looks almost giddy now.

“Should I be worried?” Mason stops and I set down my noodles. I asked Mason to forgive Leo. I didn’t make a mistake, did I?

“I don’t think so.” Leo shakes his head. “Though you might want to bring a weapon just in case. This is my brand of retribution, after all.”

What had Leo done?

CHAPTER THIRTY

Mason

My stomach is as tight as a steel drum. Is it the meeting or the surprise Leo keeps referring to?

Leo and I take the elevator down to the second floor, quiet settling between us. “Want to tell me what I’m walking into?” I’m a man who likes a plan. Leo’s surprise may be my downfall.

Leo quirks a shit grin. “Vendetti is in prison as of this morning.”

I stop the elevator, turning to my brother. “You’re serious? On the murder charge?”

“No. On the bombing.” Leo scrubs a hand over the back of his neck. “He may or may not have had all the supplies for a pipe bomb in his trunk and someone might have filmed him setting off the bomb and sent that film to the police.”

I stare at my brother. “You knew he was bombing us?”

“I did. And before you get mad, I also knew you built this building to withstand a much larger blast than that.”

It wasn’t the worst plan I’d ever heard. “And how did you know he’d attack?”

Leo grimaces. “I know my reputation. I pretended to be drunk, pretended to be mad at you and in a fake tirade, I may have let slip you had a witness here you weren’t turning over.”

“They know Charlotte?”

“No. Of course not. They don’t even know the witness is female. But they’d also heard about the tunnel, and I think they were looking for an excuse to attack.”

It wasn’t the best plan, but it wasn’t the worst either. I did not appreciate having my home attacked, but getting Vendetti into prison…that was a prize worth giving some skin for.

“And you think the Italians will still attend tonight?”

“They might because they now know you’re calling in their debts.” Leo jerks his chin toward the button. “Shall we? I know Jake has been waiting for this moment for a long time. If you really wanted Vendetti, he’s got his sights set on Toni Carcetti.”

This was information I already knew. Sitting around the table all afternoon, Jake had agreed to be the man who pressed the Italians. Roman would work with the Dukes, and Luke with the Russians.

Each group was going to either offer their allegiances or buy their way out of debt. There were no other options. Not that the Italians could ever pay enough…they were about to be squeezed out of this city after we put Toni in prison.

We had it all worked out. And tonight we would push the first domino when we called in the debts. I’d gather more favors from the families very soon. That was the thing about owning all the best real estate. When the tunnel was finished, my business, and that of my partners, would be booming.

I enter the makeshift conference room. I haven’t told Charlotte yet, but this building is compromised in terms of its location, which means we’ll be moving.

---