Page 79 of Arranged Mafia Marriage

She nods. “I’m sorry, Kiril. I should have told you, but I won’t betray her confidences. Just so we’re clear about that. I can be loyal to both of you.”

I reach out, cupping her cheek. “I understand why you didn’t, but we can’t afford to keep things from each other, no matter how insignificant they might seem.”

Felicity presses against my touch. “You’re right. I promise, no more secrets.”

“But you’re still going to keep her secrets?” I sigh heavily.

“Only the ones who don’t threaten our family.”

I decide I can live with that compromise as I pull her closer, my anger fading. “Good. Tell me everything you feel comfortable sharing about Siobhan. We might be able to use this to our advantage.”

As Felicity begins to speak, I listen intently, my mind already racing with possibilities. This unexpected connection could be a valuable asset, or a dangerous weakness. Either way, we’ll face it together.

A few hours later, I’m back pacing the length of my study while Felicity sits on the leather couch, following my movements with the slightest directional change of her head each time I complete a lap and circle around again.

“We need to talk to Damiano,” I say, finally stopping to face her. “This connection with Siobhan could be our ticket to ending this war before it begins.”

Felicity nods, her brow creased in thought. “Possibly, but we need to be careful. We can’t put Siobhan in danger.”

I’m past my irritation with her insistence on protecting O’Malley’s child. She wouldn’t be the woman I love if she didn’t have such a huge heart and staunch ethics that she somehow finds a way to maintain even in our world. “Of course not. She’s just a child, but her presence in your dance class gives us leverage we didn’t have before.”

Her lips tighten at that word. “Not that kind of leverage.”

I grunt and pick up my phone to dial Damiano’s number.

He answers on the second ring. “Kiril.”

“We need to meet. Now, at the penthouse. It’s about O’Malley.”

There’s a pause on the other end. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

I end the call and turn back to Felicity. “He’s on his way. We need to strategize before he gets here.”

She stands, smoothing her yoga pants. “What’s our angle?”

I walk over to the bar and pour myself a glass of vodka. “We use Siobhan as a bargaining chip.” Seeing her forming objection, I raise a hand. “Not directly, of course, but the fact that she’s in your class gives us an in with O’Malley that we didn’t have before. It might compel him to meet with me more seriously this time.”

“And how do we present this to Damiano?” asks Felicity, her voice laced with concern.

I take a sip of my drink, savoring the burn. “We present it as an opportunity. A chance to negotiate with O’Malley from a position of strength.”

Felicity nods slowly. “And what about Siobhan? How do we safeguard her? She’s not leverage.”

“We don’t mention her by name,” I say firmly. “As far as Damiano is concerned, she’s just another student in your class. We keep her identity out of it as much as possible.”

The doorbell rings, interrupting our conversation. I set down my glass and head to the door, Felicity close behind me. Elena is striding toward it, but I wave her away. “I’ve got it. You can go to bed.”

The housekeeper nods, too well trained to protest, and wishes us good night before I open the door.

Damiano strides in. “What’s this about O’Malley?”

I gesture for him to take a seat after we lead him into the living room. “We have a potential in with his organization. One that could give us the upper hand in negotiations.”

Damiano’s eyebrows raise slightly. “I’m listening.”

I glance at Felicity, who nods encouragingly, though she maintains a hint of suspicion. I try not to be offended. “Felicity’s dance studio. She has a student who’s connected to O’Malley’s organization.”

Damiano lifts his brows. “How connected?”

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