Page 14 of Roberto

“You’re going to Macau instead.”

“Yup.”

“What’s in Macau?”

“Casinos, I’m told,” he replied flippantly.

“Let me put it another way:whyare you goingto Macau?”

“Better you don’t know.”

That made me angry. “Why?!”

“Because I’m playing a dangerous game, and it’s best if I keep you out of it.”

“Does Dario know?”

“Of course he does – I had to clear it with him.”

“I’m yourtwin brother.”

My unspoken accusation hung in the air:

You USED to tell me EVERYTHING.

Once upon a time, there had been no secrets between us…

Although that had been quite some time ago.

I was the only person with whom Niccolo could truly be himself. Around other people, he affected an over-the-top, theatrical persona – but he dropped it when he was with me because I knew him too well.

He sighed again, and I could hear the regret in his voice. “If I could tell you, I would… but right now, I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

“I don’t suppose I have any other options, do I?”

“Not really, no.”

“Then I guess Ihaveto trust you,” I snapped.

“What are you going to say to the Syndicate?” he asked, trying to get off the subject of Macau.

“If I could tell you, I would,” I said sarcastically, “but right now, I need you to trust me.”

Niccolo lifted his head to glare at me. “Don’t be a little bitch.”

“Then don’t ask for what you won’t giveme.”

“And what’s that?”

“Information. The truth. Whatever you want to call it.”

“Fair enough.” Niccolo paused, then said, “You know… if you don’t get the money back, we’re dead men.”

That irritated me even more. “I’m well aware.”

“Do whatever you have to do to get it.”

“Leave that to me,” I snarled. “Youjust concentrate on not fucking everything up with whatever you’re doing in Macau.”

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