Like you give a shit about your daughter,I thought.
“Blame me,” Lars said.
Vicari stared daggers at him. “And who the fuck are you?”
“Don Rosolini’s head of security. Given that he and his brothers have survived several assassination attempts over the last three weeks, I can’t allow them to be unarmed. I’m sure you can understand.”
“So you’re the Enforcer,” Vicari said with an ugly laugh. “What are you – a Swede?”
“I am.”
“You speak pretty good Italian for a Swede.”
“Thank you.”
“So you should understand it when I say this,Swede: FUCK OFF. This isCosa Nostrabusiness. Shut the fuck up and keep your goddamn nose out of it.”
I held my breath.
For a mafia don to say that to another mafia don’s Enforcer –
It was basically the same thing as spitting in the Don’s face.
Lars didn’t react to the insult.
I noticed Niccolo clenched his jaw, though.
Vicari turned to Nic and said, “Here’s the deal,Consigliere:my men will take your guns now. You have my word that no harm will come to you or anyone else on that plane today. I swear it on the soul of my departed wife. That should be enough for you.”
“I have no doubt thatyouwill do your best to keep us safe, Don Vicari,” Niccolo said, “but you can’t swear on behalf of my uncle. So we’re keeping our guns… or I’m getting on the plane with my Head of Security and we’re flying back home.”
I stared at Nic in shock.
Vicari shrugged. “Fuck off, then.”
He turned towards the cars and signaled his men to follow him –
“And we’ll be taking Valentino with us,” Niccolo said.
My heart stopped when he said that.
YES –
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE!
This whole shitshow might finally be over, and I could go get Cat!
Vicari turned back slowly and glared at Niccolo. “The hell you will.”
“Relax, Don Vicari. You’ll have guns… we’ll have guns… it’ll be an old-style mafia wedding where everyone’s packing,” Niccolo said with a cold smile. Then he dropped the smile. “Or there will be no wedding at all.”
Vicari stared at Nic hatefully for another moment…
And then a cruel smile crept across his face.
“An old-style mafia wedding,” he said with a dark chuckle. “Why the hell not.”
My heart plunged.