Page 76 of Fight Me Little Pearl

“How would you like to take a trip with me to Terra de Barbieri today?”

“Did you say Terra de Barbeira?” His voice sharpens, the sleepiness clearing instantly.

“Yes. Are you interested?”

“Of course,” he agrees excitedly.

“Good. I’ll text you information about the flight and where to meet me. We’ll travel in my jet.”

“Sure. Sure.” he says.

I end the call and turn to Vance. “Call the Captain. I want us to leave this afternoon.”

When I rise to my feet, Federico and Roberto follow. “You’re not going to tell Francesca?”

“She doesn’t need to know,” I answer. “I’ll be back before this evening.”

“Dutch. You’re coming with me. Have Joseph meet us at the airport,” I say, heading for the exit. “Vance, go home and keep watch over Francesca.”

Dutch falls in step beside me, and Vance nods. “Yes, Boss.”

When I reach the garage, I turn to Federico. “Return to the office and wait for me. Roberto, get in the car.”

“What?” Federico shrieks, his eyes wide with disbelief. “I want to see Terra de Barbieri too.”

“Some other time.” I motion for Roberto to get into the car.

“You have no intention of taking me with you ever, do you?” Federico shouts. “I’m family, but I have to stay back while you go to Terra de Barbieri with the fucking enemy.”

Did this motherfucker just curse at me? My eyes narrow, but my voice is calm. “Don’t piss me off, Federico. Go up to the office and wait there until I return.”

“Why can’t I come?” he asks, coming towards me.

Roberto quickly but subtly places himself between me and his brother. He’s right to do that because I’m moments away from punching his lights out. My temper with him shortens every day. He’s literally walking on thin ice. How can he not see it?

“Rico!” Roberto scolds, placing his palm on his brother’s chest to push him away from me. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Go to the office now!”

“Can’t you see he hates me?” Federico slaps Roberto’s hand away. “He’s punishing me.”

“For what?” Roberto frowns. “You’re acting insane.”

“You can’t see it because you hero-worship him. He’s had it out for me since that day I supported what Matteo said,” Federico says.

My lips stretch in a smile. “Good boy.” I nod. “Now that you know your offense, go up to the office and don’t leave until you have my word.”

When he hesitates, Roberto makes a grunting noise in the back of his throat, and Federico backs away reluctantly. I turn away from his angry face and slip into the backseat. Dutch takes us out of the garage and drives smoothly onto the road.

Roberto is tense beside me. He is clearly upset with me, there’s no room for weakness when you have to deal with violent, psychopathic mob heads. When you show that you’re weak and emotional you will get crushed.

“You don’t trust Federico,” he says eventually.

“I don’t trust him around Catalano. He is too impulsive and often speaks before he thinks.”

Roberto sighs. “Do you trust me, Valentino?”

“Enough to tell you that Catalano has a mole in his organization who reports to me”

Roberto frowns. “What?”

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