Page 53 of Trapping His Assassin

No need for pleasantries.

I sat behind the desk, grateful for the steaming mug set there for me to drink. I snapped my fingers, a rude way of indicating I wanted to get down to business. Especially with my phone right in front of me. I wasn’t in the mood for meetings, I wanted to be back upstairs with my beautiful wife.

“It would seem that the Italians are ready to implement the treaty,” Benedikt said.

Done fucking with my great uncle, I grabbed my phone so we could handle our shit right.

Me: Ah, now that there’s been enough time for the Don’s death, they are ready to talk business. That’s good because we need them.

It would be good to meet with our allies, and figure out how we were going to persuade the other families to take out the priest. Once we were done with him, hopefully, the rest of the operation would be eliminated.

“In what way?” Benedikt appeared puzzled.

Me: We have a sex trafficking ring to take down.

I sipped my coffee.

Benedikt shook his head. “I still don’t understand. Aren’t we getting into the skin trade too?”

Me: It’s not as simple as that. We’re seeking out individuals who have lost hope, those who desire a fresh start, and those who feel they need to disappear. We aren’t coercing them.

My teeth clenched in frustration.

I didn’t want to think about all the women, men, and children who were forced into the sex trafficking industry on an hourly basis. The statistics would shock him, if he understood how often it happened.

“We can’t have that. Not when we are trying to eradicate the old ways.” Benedikt was finally getting it.

Me: Like that antiquated ritual, if we are associated with forced skin trade then we won’t have many allies in the legitimate business world.

They couldn’t afford to get their hands dirty. Therefore, they wouldn’t be able to endorse us publicly, and when it came to the upper echelon, appearances were everything.

“Still, let’s not do the meeting in person, yeah? Not after the last time. I’m not getting any younger,” Benedikt joked.

A surprise burst of laughter escaped from my lips, startling us both. Fire raced through my throat, but I ignored it. It was a sound I hadn’t heard from myself since I was a young child, eagerly joining The Brotherhood’s ranks.

Me: Seriously, you want to video conference the new Don of Italy?

Like that would go over smoothly.

“Well, when you put it like that, it sounds like an idiotic idea,” Bendikt grumbled.

I shook my head.

Me: No, please, call him up and see what he says.

Benedikt grumbled some harsh Russian under his breath, but dialed Mateo anyway. The phone rang a few times. So many, I didn’t think he was going to answer.

The line clicked. “Who the fuck is this?” Mateo growled down the line.

“It’s Roman and Benedikt.” My great uncle got straight to the point after the two shared pleasantries. “After the last time, we are hesitant to have a meeting in person.”

“What do you think this is, the dark ages?” Mateo chuckled. “We didn’t even need to meet the first time. I tried telling Don Ricci that, but you know the old man didn’t listen to a word I told him.”

I motioned to get my great uncle’s attention, and he looked at my phone screen, saying my words aloud to me.

“Which ultimately resulted in his demise.” Benedikt shot me a disapproving glare as soon as the words left his lips. I quickly raised my hand, signaling that I would back off and let him handle the situation.

“So, video?” Mateo asked after a brief silence.

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