Page 116 of Assassin's Obsession

Bored with the conversation, I demand, "Why the hell are you calling me?"

He has to know that I'm not sending Candi out of New York for the sake of his pride and domestic harmony.

"Miceli has ordered me to sign over one of my businesses to each of my sons with a tithe from them to Kathleen for the remainder of her life."

Bianchi probably considers that punishment for not protecting his daughter rather than simply making right his neglect and lack of financial support she was due as his child.

"If you expect me to talk your don out of that plan, you're stupider than I thought." Not that I think Candi will accept the money from her brothers.

Not if it's grudgingly given. I'm going to have to have a little talk with them. I'm more than capable of providing everything Candi needs, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve the tithe.

"I don’t expect anything from you, you son of a bitch."

That is not the insult he thinks it is and if he knew anything about me, the capo would know that. My motherisa bitch.

"We can't keep Kathleen's existence a secret anymore. Even if I could be sure the men in the alley wouldn't talk, once my sons learn about the tithe and who it's to, her life is at risk."

"Cosimo and Renato would try to harm her?" I didn't promise Candi I wouldn't kill her brothers.

They're dead men walking if they pose a threat to her.

"No! Not them, but once my wife and her family find out about Kathleen..." His voice trails off on a sigh. "Why do you think I've kept my distance her whole life? When she was eighteen, I sent a lawyer to her. I offered to pay for her to attend college out of state."

"She refused." Of course she would and thisstronzodidn't realize that?

"Yes."

"You never paid her mother child support."

"She was a whore," he dismisses for the second time.

"And the fucking mother of your child. She deserved to be taken care of and so did Candi."

"Kathleen didn't want my support."

"You call offering her a bribe to leave New York and save you embarrassment support?"

"You don't?"

"I call it shitty parenting."

"Fuck off, Angelo. I didn't call you to talk about my character."

Or lack the fuck of.

"Get to the point then."

"I could ask the boys not to say anything, but after Kathleen's ill-advised announcement of my paternity in front of witnesses, their silence won't be enough."

"Enough for what exactly?" I need the threat spelled out so I can take the necessary steps to get rid of it.

"My wife is a very proud woman. She will not tolerate the existence of my bastard child in New York for her friends to gossip about."

"I will eliminate any threat to Candi's wellbeing," I promise him.

"You can't murder my wife!"

"Wrong." But Candi will be happier if a warning suffices.

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