Page 67 of The Deal

“Fucking hell, Dante. You can’t take out the head of theirfamigliaand expect peace in return. Hell’s bound to rain down on not only you, but everyone around us.”

Even though I’ve distanced myself from this life, I know I’m not safe from this either. My father has made it known that I’m to be his successor. That automatically puts a price on my head.

“There’s not much he can do considering he’s got three fucking bullets in his head,” Dante spits. “He should’ve known better than to mess with ourfamiglia.”

What happened to my sweet little brother, the one who used to climb into bed beside me during thunderstorms? “Fuck, Dante, can you hear yourself? You sound unhinged.”

“I’m not unhinged, I’m pissed off … there’s a difference.”

“People piss me off on a daily, but I don’t go around shooting them.”

“He’s the one who orchestrated the interception of our last two shipments from Italy. Do you have any idea how much money that has cost our family, Alex? Fucking millions. Not to mention the damage it did to our reputation.”

“Then take something of theirs in return.”

“We did … Vincent’s life,” he chuckles.

The fact that he can find any sort of humour in this situation makes me sick to the stomach.

“Did you have to go right to the top and kill their patriarch, of all people? Do you have any idea what you have done? There were other ways to send a message.”

“We were done fucking around with those cunts. We wanted to make sure they got the message loud and clear. I’m pretty sure they did.”

“So Papa was okay with his execution?”

Obviously, my father calls the shots; he always has, but I thought he was smarter than this.

“He’s the one who gave the order.”

I don’t doubt that Edoardo, Papa’s consigliere, had a hand in this. He’s my father’s best friend … his confidant, and has way too much sway, as far as I’m concerned. He’s like the devil whispering in the devil’s ear—and that’s never a good combination.

Am I the only one with common sense in this family?

“Do you have to go?” Chloe asks, standing beside the bed, her eyes fixed on the suitcase I’m packing.

“Yes, I do.”

“Is it safe?”

“I’m taking a few of my men with me, and my father will have his place locked down like a fortress.”

She falls silent, and when I glance over, I see the look in her eyes, like she’s fighting back tears.

I stop what I’m doing and reach for her. “Come here,amore mio,” I murmur, pulling her into my arms and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“Can I come with you?”

“Not a chance in hell. I don’t want you anywhere near that place.” And for reasons far bigger than this current mess. My father can’t know she’s here.

“How long will you be gone?” she asks, sliding her hands under my suit jacket and wrapping her arms tightly around my waist. She lets out a small sigh as the side of her cheek comes to rest against me. It feels so natural, so effortless, that it makes my heart constrict in my chest.

My feelings for her are growing at an alarming rate. We’ve come so far in the past few weeks, to the point where I’mnot sure I can picture my life without her in it anymore. She’s fast becoming an extension of me, which is both thrilling and petrifying in equal measure.

She fits into my world seamlessly, and when she’s not busting my balls or challenging my every move, she’s so easy to be around. Her laid-back nature and sweet disposition are strangely addictive.

“Hopefully I’ll be back tomorrow.” I have no idea what I’m going to face when I arrive. I may not agree with the things my family do, but I still love them.

“I’m going to miss you,” she whispers.

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