Page 97 of Seizing Control: Part Two

“We’ll see how the cat-sitter manages before I make any decisions.”

“Sounds prudent.”

Layla laughs.

We exchange a look. Mine is quelling, ordering her to keep her composure, as Vitale settles into Veronica’s seat. The vehicle speeds off again. My consigliere turns around to check the rest of our team. Holding my handgun on my thigh, I scan the profile of the man sitting next to me. The muscle in Vitale’s jaw works overtime while he stares straight ahead.

“Atlas is with us, but the vehicle that Gabriel was in isn’t.”

“Damn.”

“Where are we heading?” I enquire when it becomes clear that we’re returning to the airport. I’m loath to cede control to Vitale, but I’ve been ambushed by the change of events, and I need information if I’m to recalibrate my next steps. “Why were you chosen to escort us?”

I’m not expecting the truth.

This is a game of smoke and mirrors, and my sole goal is to return to Lily and our children in one piece with the power of the Adjudicatorship neatly tied up. Vitale’s conclave is corrupt. It’s highly unlikely he was unaware of the moves Sal was making, even with Gabriel helping him contain the plot to a small core group. Somehow Vitale has tricked the guild into believing him, and that’s the story I’m most interested in hearing, right now.

“My children are my life,” the American says in a serious voice. “The twins are my legacy, and Rio is their best friend. I’ve lost one daughter to the dark side of this world—I refuse to lose another child to it.” When he balls his hands into fists, I almost feel bad for him. The scandal his daughter, Angelina, created still reverberates around the globe, almost nine months since her death. “Allowing Sal and his son to destroy three hundred years of the New Trinity is equally incomprehensible to me… so I’ve thrown my lot in with the old country.”

His excuse almost passes the sniff test.

Except for one thing.

“Salvador has two sons,” Layla offers quietly.

“Correct,” Vitale tells her. “I misspoke. Nicolau and Santiago.”

“Isn’t it funny how rumours spread like wildfire, Layla?”

“Where there’s a rumour—” My consigliere shrugs. “—there’s usually a kernel of truth.”

The dark-haired man turns to me. My comment was obviously sarcastic, and he didn’t miss the connotation behind it. Vitale’s expression is filled with incredulity, a frown line deepening between his thick eyebrows as he demands, “What is that supposed to me?”

“Nicolau is your son… and protecting him is the reason you’re so eager to assist us.”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“Good.” I aim the muzzle of my handgun at the centre of his chest. “Keep it that way.”

As an uneasy silence dawns, I allow it to linger.

Tension ratchets up.

The older man is rattled.

The emergence of thirty-year-old secrets will do that.

As a lifelong member of the guild, he quickly rebounds. Understanding that he needs to prove his trustworthiness, Vitale confesses, “Rio was sent to kill Ziva Navarro.” The second he mentions another member of Lily’s old ladies club my heart drops. Ziva is a Black Shamrocks princess. Her stepfather is the National president in the US. “The idiot fell in love with her instead. He’s gone into hiding, and Sal has put a bounty on his head.”

“And you’re the one he’s tapped to see that it’s carried out?”

With a sigh, Vitale acknowledges the accuracy of my question. “Yes… or he’ll have Nico find out the truth of his heritage.”

“As the oldest of his generation, Nico will become your heir, and your twins will be removed as your successors.” Addressing my next comment to Layla, I expand on the predicament Vitale finds himself caught in. “Either way, Sal will have the votes he needs to complete his plan. The old country won’t see the double-cross coming.”

“Sounds like Rio needs to die.”

I grin at her. “I believe you’re right.”

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