Page 104 of The Lieutenant

“Everyone in the business is aware of what happened to Leandro and let me offer my condolences.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. While the person responsible directly was… handled, it’s my family’s belief that Bernardi was behind the organized hit, requiring his soon-to-be son-in-law to perform a task he wanted to keep his distance from.”

“I can imagine why you’re taking that position,” Don Coppola said casually, but he was already becoming disinterested.

“Don Bernardi is actively seeking to expand his territory into Greece. He’s cleaned house of anyone who might expose him. But his true sights are set on taking the Godfather position of the Cosa Nostra.”

“So your protégé has told me.”

Protégé. I should be appalled at use of the word, but a slight glimmer of pride settled into my system.

“Yes, I’m certain she has. I’d like to arrange an association between our two organizations,” Havros tossed out. He was swirling the glass back and forth as he dangled the carrot.

“And why would I be interested in doing that?”

“Because I’m offering you a chance to avenge your son’s death.”

Don Coppola’s eyes opened wide, but there was no other reaction. “I’m not interested in hearsay, Havros. I’m certain you can understand.”

“It’s not considered hearsay if it came directly to me from a former Bernardi soldier.”

He cocked his head. “You trust this man.”

“He worked for us exclusively after leaving Bernardi’s employ.” Havros was insistent.

I noticed the Don’s fingers had suddenly turned white as he gripped his glass. “What do you want in return?”

“Information leading to the person responsible for the death of Kara’s mother.”

The Don took a deep breath and rose from his chair, walking to the window. “I ordinarily would not be interested in making deals with people I don’t know if I can trust. However, your family is highly respected, considered honorable. Why is this so important to you?”

“Because if Bernardi ordered the death of my brother, I want him dead. Because he’s placing my family in harm’s way. And mostly because Kara has lived a life of not knowing, suffering because of her loss.”

Don Coppola turned and faced us, studying me just as he’d done before. “The love of a beautiful woman is a tremendous opportunity in a man’s life. Loss is a great motivator. Why are you allowing me this honor?”

“Because my family would like to bring business into Italy and we’d like your support.”

The Don’s face suddenly lit up in a grin. “Very nicely played, Havros. In the end, we all get what we want. Your father would be proud. Let me see what I can do. As you might imagine, painting the streets with blood in my beloved Sicily isn’t something I would like to see happen. But if I can find a way to handle this delicate matter, I will do so.” He walked forward and both Havros and I stood.

The two men shook hands and I was relieved. I was also trembling inside, both elated at the possibility of learning the truth and fearful it would destroy me.

“Let us drink to us working together, Havros. And to the woman I hope will make you a very happy man.” The Don’s eyes were twinkling and as they clinked glasses, all I could think about was what needed to be said to the man…

To the man I was falling in love with.

CHAPTER 30

Kara

“What did you want to be when you grew up?” I asked just before I took a bite of the most delicious Greek food I’d had to date. Although as of yet I hadn’t been given the experience of tasting his mother’s food I’d heard so much about.

Havros spit out a portion of his wine, immediately grabbing the linen napkin from his lap and wiping the drops covering his mouth.

I laughed as he coughed, immediately reaching for my pen so I could capture the correct answer.

If he gave me one.

I’d often envisioned him as a kid who’d walked around in suits from the time he was six or seven, emulating his dad as often as possible. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, the light breeze of the early afternoon tousling several strands of his hair. He was much more casual than usual since we’d returned from Sicily, almost able to relax.

---