Page 135 of Roberto

I was beginning to tire of the history lesson, but I continued to play along. “Yes. The Medicis not only bankrolled popes, they were patrons of the arts. We wouldn’t have Michelangelo’sDavidor Botticelli’sBirth of Venuswithout the Medicis.”

“So which are you, Mr. Rosolini? A Medici… or a Sicilian?”

Ah.

I assumed he was concerned whether we would actually have the balls to win against Fausto.

“I can assure you, Mr. Gota, I am Sicilian when I need to be, and a Medici when it is appropriate.”

“So you are, in fact, a half-breed.”

After my initial shock, I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. “Excuse me?”

Gota continued smiling as he insulted me. “What is the English expression? ‘Neither fish nor fowl’? Why would we back a half-breedbankeragainst a full-blooded Sicilian?”

As soon as he said that, my stomach filled with ice water, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt –

Niccolo had been right.

I looked at Lau. “You sided with my uncle, didn’t you.”

Lau smiled. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

He punched a button on the phone, and a familiar voice spoke over the speaker.

“Hello, nephew.”

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In that one instant, my entire world spun out of control.

All my calculations, all my hopes –

Gone.

At that moment, I bitterly regretted not bringing the suitcase filled with C4.

When I didn’t answer, Fausto asked,“Il gatto ti ha mangiato la lingua?”

The Italian equivalent of,Cat got your tongue?

“Hello… Uncle,” I said with undisguised hatred.

“Now, now, Roberto, don’t be cross just because you got outplayed. Although, I must admit I AM disappointed. I didn’t expect you to have Niccolo’s cunning, but I DID expect you to be a bit more cautious.”

I glared at Lau. “When did you decide to betray me?”

“Betray you?” Lau said, then chuckled. “No one has betrayed you. This is an ongoing negotiation.”

I frowned in confusion. “What?”

Lau smiled. “Not that your uncle didn’t try to make us a better offer.”

“You should be thanking Mr. Lau, Nephew,”Fausto said.“I said I’d let him keep your 50 million euros if he’d just kill you… but he said no.”

“Oh, thank you soverymuch,” I said sarcastically to Lau.

The old man’s smile never wavered. “You’re welcome.”

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