Page 74 of Frayed Bonds

“No, we’re busy.”

“I couldn’t give a flying fuck if you’re having tea with The King, I said get out, or I’ll have you escorted out.”

He holds my stare for a beat until he eventually stands to leave and follows Mattia out.

“Horrible timing for a family meeting, Brosy,” Antonio says, teasing me with the nickname.

“Couldn’t agree more,” Gus says, taking a seat next to Antonio. Only Adriano remains silent, I assume trying to figure out exactly why I’ve gathered them here, and more importantly why I’ve done it so abruptly.

“You were right, something is off with Horatio.”

I was expecting a more smug look from my brothers but instead, their faces are all varying degrees of concern, Adriano’s being the most alarmed.

Gus leans back in his chair, his expression almost sceptical. "What makes you say that?"

“Just something he said.” I try to remain vague.

“Would you just tell us so that maybe we could try and help? Instead of pretending to be mysterious” Antonio speaks up.

“He quoted one of papá’s sayings. ‘Blood makes you related, but loyalty makes you family’ I know it's probably nothing bu–”

Adriano interjects, his fingers tapping on the table. "I've been doing some digging into him,” he says, pulling his phone out. “The company Horatio works for has some discrepancies in their financial reports and connections to some interesting individuals."

“How interesting?” I ask.

“French cartel and the Sicily side of the Vitale’s interesting.”

Fuck.

Antonio nods. "So, we need to tread carefully. We can't afford to let someone like him into our inner circle."

I lean onto the table as I stare blankly ahead trying to process all of this. "Agreed. But we can't simply dismiss him without concrete evidence. We need to gather more information, discreetly."

Adriano glances up from his phone, a spark of determination in his eyes. "I have an idea. We could use the investor dinner as an opportunity to probe further. I'll set up some surveillance, hack into their systems if necessary, and gather intel on Horatio and his associates."

We all nod in agreement. "Sounds like a plan. We'll play nice at dinner while Adriano works his magic behind the scenes," Gus says.

"And if Horatio proves to be as suspicious as we suspect, we'll be ready to take appropriate action," Antonio says.

As we finalise our strategy, the air crackles with anticipation. The stage is set for a high-stakes game of deception, with the bonds of Vitale Holdings in the balance.

Chapter twenty-eight

Valerie

“Oh my god, why have we never come here before?” I yell over the music.

Natalia and I have returned downstairs to the main dance floor and we’re currently dancing as if our lives depend on it. The dance floor is packed, there's barely enough space for anyone to move freely but enough space to sway to the beat of whatever the DJ is playing. "Did I mention this is my favourite song ever?"

“Have you ever heard this before?” Nat giggles next to my ear.

“Nope, but it’s amazing and the bestest thing ever.”

“Okaaay, I think we need some water,” Natalia says and I pout not wanting to move from our spot.

“Go, I’ll stay here and keep the spot warm.” I smile broadly, still dancing.

“I don’t thi-”

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