Page 256 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

And then absolute hatred.

No way was I apologizing to that human shit stain.

I didn’t give a fuck what Niccolo said –

I’d go down fighting. Even if Vicari shot me, I’d claw out the fucker’s eyes before I died.

I steeled myself, waiting for Niccolo to give me the order –

But surprisingly, he said,“No.”

Vicari looked at the phone angrily. “What did you say?”

“You’ve won your battle. You get to marry your daughter off and secure our participation in your future expansion, all at my brother’s expense. No – I will NOT require him to apologize.”

Vicari was quickly becoming enraged. “I’m warning you,consigliere – ”

“Or what?”Niccolo snapped.“You’ll call off the wedding? We both know THAT’S not going to happen. You’d never jeopardize your plans. Or maybe you’re threatening me with killing my brother? If it hasn’t been made obvious to you yet, I’m not terribly fond of him at the moment.

“But if you DO harm Valentino in ANY way, rest assured – as soon as we’re finished with Fausto, we’ll come knocking on YOUR door. In fact, maybe we’ll deal with you FIRST, just for the hell of it.

“Trust me – you do NOT want that.

“So no, you’re not getting an apology from Valentino, from me, or anyone else. Either continue with the wedding, or don’t. But that’s the end of our business today.”

Vicari sat there, his face red, veins pulsing in his temples.

He looked like he wanted to jump across the desk atmeand gougemyeyes out.

But what could he do?

He’d overplayed his hand just to be fucking petty – and everybody knew it.

Including Don Vicari.

If he’d still had one, aconsiglierewould have told him not to push his luck.

Too bad he’d killed hisconsiglierelast night.

Could’ve used him before he went and humiliated himself.

“Fine,” Vicari seethed. “Our business is complete.”

And he stabbed the screen with his finger and hung up the phone.

I wanted to smile in the old fucker’s face –

But I knew that would be signing my death warrant…

So I just sat there staring at him emotionlessly.

“Get the fuck out of my sight,” he snarled.

I quickly got up and left the room.

88

The next couple of days were horrible.

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