Page 98 of Where the Wicked Reign

I cared about Caterina Leone to a depth I wasn’t used to outside of the boys.

That night, I’d nearly fucked up the entire mission, my focus being on her rather than it or even the bigger picture surrounding the purpose of carrying out that operation alongside her in the first place. It had been heading that way before she’d even got hurt. I’d been planning to hold back myferalside, which was my greatest asset in a no-holds-barred takedown like that which we’d been walking into. It made me a hell of a combatant. But because of Caterina, I hadn’t wanted to let loose in that way in front of her. And then, when she’d actually gotten hurt, I’d almost thrown the entire plan out the fucking window, wanting to forgo what was best for the mission to see to her.

It had been Milo and Julian who’d had to make me see reason. But they shouldn’t have needed to.

It couldn’t be that way.

Ihad to be the one in control. Of it all. Of what was coming, of every situation I found myself in. I was the one they were all looking to. With my position as Capo and Prince of the Marchetti Syndicate, it had to be me.

I dragged on my smoke as I leaned against my Ferrari, watching the immediate area, most notably the warehouse, a hundred feet away.

Twenty minutes ago, I’d observed both Marchetti and Leone security arrive and start securing the building for the arrival of the Bosses. I’d parked in a lot several blocks back where I could observe without being seen.

Just in case.

Being called early to a meeting like this wasn’t exactly a comforting thing.

For most, it would be a severe punishment or death sentence. Either an ambush to inflict severe punishment and damage or a straight-up execution.

But as Marco Marchetti’s son, things operated a little different for me. Especially seeing as though he currently needed me to solidify this alliance between him and Santino Leone, one that would exclude the Benzinos this time around, one in which the terms would be reworked.

Although, just because execution was off the table, it didn’t mean there couldn’t be punishment in its place.

Especially with Leo’s words to me playing on my mind.

“You’re pissing me off and threatening to get in the way of what needs to be done here.”

In all likelihood, the only reason said punishment hadn’t been levied upon me already via more brutal means beyond the fact of being forced into marriage was because I was the top earner for the Marchetti Syndicate.

However, with my father—heavily influenced by Leo, no doubt—wishing to make the move into military-grade weapons trading, thoseearningswould be eclipsed. Of course, it had to be able to go ahead to result in that. Although, knowing Leo’s shortsighted outlook on things, he could start to count his fucked-up chickens before they hatched and rely on that to blow my earnings out of the water and to subsequently destabilize my position and the protection it afforded me and mine in the process.

Nevertheless, I’d clawed my way up to being Capo, and I’d do what needed to be done to smash through the obstacles that stood in my way now, just like I had back then.

Starting with destroying this deal with Malcolm Lynch’sOsiris.

That was being carefully put into motion. This morning I’d strategically leaked intel on the dark web to Levi Knight, wherein he’d soon be able to follow the crumbs and determine that I had what he needed to complete his quest that would, in turn, benefit me and wipe Lynch off the map. It bothered me to no end that I was having to be so careful and move much slower than I liked, because I was in Leo’s and my father’s sights. It was restricting my movements.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took another drag of my smoke, then pulled it out to see a text.

Milo:Got you covered.

I’d told him I needed to come alone. Having muscle with me would make me look weak after I’d been summoned here. It would make me look fearful and worried about my position in the family, which would raise suspicion.

Nico:No need. Stand down.

Milo:I’m concealed.

I cursed under my breath. This was about the talk he’d had with Julian the other day, about needing to operate differently with what was coming.

Nico:If you’re spotted, we’re done.

Milo:I won’t be, but if I am, I’m just here, as far as they know, to guard against a potential Benzino attack. We’re covering all bases, assuming that they could’ve gotten wind of this unsanctioned meet that flies in the face of the current three families treaty.

I smiled to myself. I’d taught him well.

Nico:Fine.

The sound of vehicles approaching had me scrubbing his texts, then pocketing my phone and stubbing out my cigarette.

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