Page 95 of Roberto

“What?! Why?!”

“Fausto’s trying to turn everyone against us, and he’s more or less succeeded. We need allies. That was the whole point of sending Massimo to Venice – to get the Widow on our side.”

Now I understood.

“And you think this alliance with Don Vicari will help if we can bring Fausto before the Council.”

“I’m sure of it. Don Vicari has already sworn to support us.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Things have been a little fucking hectic around here,”Niccolo barked.“And YOU don’t do anything besides text me, so – ”

“Alright, alright,” I said guiltily, knowing exactly why I hadn’t called. “Did Valentino already get married?”

“No. The wedding’s in two weeks.”

“And how does Valentino feel about this?”

Niccolo gave a bitter laugh.“How do you think? Dario had to give him a direct order to make him obey.”

“Jesus,” I muttered.

“I had to tell him to quit thinking with his dick and start caring about the family.”

Now I wasveryglad I hadn’t brought up Mei-ling.

“He’ll come around eventually. I’m not so sure about Alessandra, though.”

“What’s going on with Alessandra?”

“She’s FURIOUS. She’s friends with that servant girl Valentino was banging, and now she’s got it in her head that the two of them are meant for each other. I tried to talk sense into her – that Valentino’s a horndog, and he only cares about a girl until the next one walks by – but Alessandra won’t listen to reason.”

“How bad is it?”

“Remember that night when she argued with Dario and left the house?”

There was no way I could forget.

That was the night the Turk used Alessandra as a hostage to invade our mansion and try to kill us all.

I winced. “That bad?”

“Not yet, but it’s getting there.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say. “How can I help?”

“That’s the reason I called,”Niccolo said darkly.“If you haven’t gotten the money by now, it’s because the Syndicate is working with Fausto.”

“If the Syndicate were working with Fausto, I’d be dead.”

“They may not be following his orders, but I’m convinced he’s influencing their decisions.”

“Does this information come from your mysterious source?” I asked sardonically.

“I’m EXTRAPOLATING from my mysterious source,”he snapped.“But you have to admit, it’s odd that they haven’t given you a solid ‘yes’ or ‘no’ even after all this time.”

I felt guilty all over again. I hadn’t bothered Launearlyenough the past week. I’d only called him twice, and I cheerfully hung up both times he brushed me off.

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