Page 101 of Where the Wicked Reign

“That’s already been shot to hell with these arms deals we’ve been working, so we had to pivot,” Leo said. “Told you that already, so get the fuck on board. We’re gonna come out on top. Don’t you worry about that.” He stepped up to me and fingered my jacket. “Until then, and in this meeting in a few, suck it up like a good little boy.”

I glared steadily back at him.

“I’ve already proven that I’m doing that by agreeing to this marriage.”

“Hmm, true. You did take to that better than I’d expected.”

“Of course, I did. I want to prove myself to the Family.” I looked out at my father. “To you.”

He smiled. “You are my son. I’d expect nothing less.” He glared at Leo. “No more antagonizing him. Especially not during the meeting.”

Hmm.That was why he’d been so diplomatic toward me.

He was worried about what I’d do. I had a great deal of influence. I was respected as Capo and as a powerhouse in the Marchetti Syndicate.

Leo being the exception.

Well, and his pet Capo, Giovanni, of course.

He was concerned I’d use that sway.

Or, possibly, do worse than that with myferalside.

Fortunately for them, it wasn’t time yet.

This meeting today, binding our two families together, was meant to ward off all-out war after both Marco and Santino had fucked all over the truce with their recent dealings.

And maybe it would protect them for a while by joining together, making it harder for the Benzinos to make a move against them. Or, as they clearly really intended, putting the Benzinos off doing anything at all, knowing they’d be outmatched.

But they only had their eyes on that situation.

They didn’t see the danger right there in front of them.

Me.

Another war was on the horizon.

And it would be one that neither family would survive.

19

~Emilio~

Caterina was caught up in a bad situation.

An extremely brutal and twisted situation.

I couldn’t get Angelo Simone’s vile words from the pre-meeting Nico had attended with him and the Bosses several days ago out of my head.

“Her humiliation and shattering is her punishment for turning her back on the Family, as well as a wake-up call that she is to fall in line going forward. She will do her duty and with a true monster like you bound to her by marriage, Nico, she’ll suffer as she deserves.”

While I’d been watching Nico’s back, I’d also been listening in to ensure I knew when to step in should that have been proven necessary. With that sort of thing, the conversation was key more than the actions, because everybody had their reactions shutdown until it was too late, the split-second before they drew a fucking weapon.

So, before Nico had left, I’d tagged him so I could listen in on his conversation.

I didn’t like keeping secrets between us, so I’d told him afterward and he’d smiled and said that he’d expected nothing less, given how tense and worrying that situation had been.

But now the entire exchange about the coming marriage and Caterina had been haunting me.

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