Page 85 of Empress of Savages

“Me, you dope. What am I not going to give up while you’ve got… me?” I press my lips together. “Come on! This is your plan, isn’t it? Do try to keep up. It’s probably a variation of the same plan as the last time you had me kidnapped. We are going to have to break you of that habit, by the way.”

“Where are…”

“Come on. You’ve got all the cards. Please. Let’s fast-forward to the part where you tell me all your outrageous demands, I shout and wail, but I totally have to give in to you because you’ve gotmehere, as a captive in your super-villain’s mountain top lair?”

“I’m going to get your men on a video call. They are going to watch your total, humiliating and crushing defeat.”

“You know, I’m starting to wonder if you really like women, Don Romano.”

He’s about to say something, so I say, quickly, “Sure. Do it. In fact, let’s use my phone. I’ve got them all on speed dial. I would like some company on my side of the table. Since you’ve stacked the odds so well in your favor.”

His face darkens.

I take out my phone, hold it up between my thumb and fingers and wave it. “Okay?”

He just glowers. I put a video call to Carlo.

He’s in a bare concrete room, with Alessio and Bruno.

Bruno says, “They took us. All of us, right after you went missing. Where are you?”

“Don Romano is holding me on his Hilltop House of Doom, or whatever he calls this monstrosity.”

Don Romano laughs. “It was touching how they all went berserk looking for you, running around like headless chickens. All of them ran straight into the tender, loving care of the men I had waiting all over the building.”

He scowls and leans forward. “So now you will tell me where my sons are.”

I tell him, “Okay, confession time. You ready? I can’t. I really have no where they are. None of us do.”

He bunches a fist and draws back his huge arm. I raise a finger, “But I can help you find them. So, let’s cut to the chase. You want some awful price from me. Lets do that part first. Boys after.”

“How do I know that you won’t have them harmed?

“Think, Don Romano. What cards would I have left to play?

He snarls. “I have all of your businesses in my grip right now. I can take everything. Everything. And I will. Either you sign it all over to me, complete, right now, willingly, or I’ll finish the job I started and take them all by force. It won’t take much now. I can be done by the end of the day. It would involve a lot of killing. But the market only rewards those who are ready to make the big moves.”

“Okay. You love the markets and competition so much, let’s compete. On your terms Don Romano. Let’s put some real risk on the table. All of my businesses. All that the family has. Everything. Against yours. The same stakes. A level table, a straight game and the same stakes.”

His voice rises higher. “I’ve already won, Donna Lucia. You are already mine. Now you want to cry about a fair game? Now?When you’ve lost. It’s over. I beat you. All you have is mine now. Turn it all over and if you’re very lucky, I’ll allow you to leave with your tail between your legs. Admit defeat and acknowledge me as the true victor. The winner.”

“Then,” I lift an eyebrow and nod, “With my assets and yours combined, your territory and mine, your power will dwarf Don Pucci’s into insignificance. You really will be the great emperor of the Pacific Northwest.

He laughs, “Hah! And all for one move. One cheat, as you might call it. But that is the great thing about our system. It doesn’t matter how you win, as long as you win. That’s really all.” His eyes widen. “So. All that remains is for you to sign over all of your businesses and assets in full, to me, and we can conclude our business.”

“Of course, Don Romano. I’m sure that you have papers ready. Bring them to me and I’ll sign.” With a little sly look, I tell him. “By the most amazing coincidence, in fact, I have my own version here. I believe I anticipated you.”

Now he frowns.

I say, “Not the manner of your invitation, of course. There really was no need for that.” I twist my mouth in disapproval. “Give me your paper. I’m ready. Show me where to sign.” He’s turning, reaching for something but I stop him, “Before I do, really want to know. Which is your favorite?”

CHAPTER FORTY

“Okay. Indulge me. Just a little. The condemned woman. It’s not too much to ask.”

I take another sip of the lemonade.

“That really is lovely.” I give him a smile. “So, perhaps you’ll tell me this. When you staged your failed attempt at kidnapping me, were you planning to have me ransomed, or dumped out in the ocean, or was your plan simply to have me kept out of the way while you played your little games with our businesses?”

---