Page 61 of Brutal Power

Simon laughs. He sounds bitter and gestures at the door. “Seriously? You think Dad’s going to have any part in this?”

“I know. I told Brody that already. But he was insistent. If we can get Dad to broker this meeting, he thinks Santoro will actually show.” I shrug, feeling helpless. I don’t fully understand where Brody’s going with this, but I trust him. “Besides, Dad kind of owes us, since he was such a prick last year.”

Davide laughs, low and throaty. “That’s a goddamn understatement.”

“I’ll talk to him.” Simon rubs his face with both hands. “God, I really hoped we could just kill a whole bunch of those bastards and end this fast.”

Instead, it’s been a war of attrition. Every hit we make, Santoro hits right back. Matty’s the most recent high-profile death, but there have been others. A Capo two months ago, more soldiers than I can count. Too many bodies. We’ve never been weaker, and I’m determined to turn things around, or at least neutralize the threat.

That’s what I do. I take care of my family, and right now, the best thing I can do for them is to make sure Santoro isn’t a threat anymore.

“I’ll check and make sure things are good at Brody’s end.” I get up and head to the door. “Work on Dad. When I know the details of the plan, I’ll let you know.”

Simon waves and already looks sick of the whole situation.

I step out into the hall. Davide follows me and we walk together through the don’s work house. Before we leave, my brother stops and puts a hand on my shoulder.

“How are things with him?” he asks. David’s hand is scarred and slightly melted from a fire a long time ago, and I hate being reminded of what happened to him. I’m sure he hates it even more.

“Things are good with Brody,” I admit because it’s true. Thingsaregood, much better than I expected. “I guess now I know what you and Stefania went through.”

Davide snorts. “I fucking hope not. I don’t want to know that my sister’s having a torrid relationship.”

“With my husband,” I say, elbowing him.

“I guess that makes it better.” He sighs and turns away. “I just want to make sure you’re alright. I know it wasn’t easy at first, but…” He hesitates and shrugs again. “Brody seems like a good one. And maybe it was a good match.”

I’m honestly surprised that Davide’s expressing this much emotion to me all at once. I give him a quick hug, which makes him uncomfortable, before I let him hurry back to his house. I can’t wait to tell Stefania that Davide actually gives a shit about me, which isn’t always a given.

Brody’s waiting for me back at the house. I find him upstairs in our room, and I stop and stare at the two dresses he has laid out on the bed. My eyebrows raise when he looks over.

“Is this some new kink? You’re dressing me up?”

He smirks and gestures at the clothes. “We’re going out tonight.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know we had a formal occasion.”

“I spoke with Captain Kennedy earlier. He thinks it would be wise if we wrote a nice, fat donation check at a police union fundraiser tonight.”

I groan and point at the dresses. “They’ll be wasted on a cop party.”

“It’s for a good cause.”

“Thepolice unionis a good cause?”

He grins at me. “It’s forourgood cause.”

“Fine.” I walk over and kiss him. “But I’m going to hate it.”

“Don’t act like this is your first police function.”

“Far from it, but still, I’m a Bianco. I’m not allowed tolikecops.”

“Darling, nobody does.” He kisses me. “Now, either get dressed fast, or I’m going to end up wasting the night drooling over your lovely body.”

“That’s not as enticing as you think.”

Chapter 32

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