Page 47 of The Cost of Corruption

I’d already made my point with the Costas. They knew the united front they’d be facing if they decided to go to war with us. There was no harm in showing the strength as well.

I raised my hand and snapped my fingers.

“Everybody out,” I commanded.

In an instant, every D’Angelo soldier stood up from their chairs.

Chastity’s eyes went wide. “What are you doing”

“You wanted privacy,” I said. “And I promised to give you what you wanted.”

“But—”

“You heard Mr. D’Angelo,” Silvestri, one of our top men, boomed across the room. “It’s time to go.”

I didn’t bother turning my head to watch as, one by one, the Costas surrendered to our superior numbers. Instead, I simply sat back and sipped my wine, trusting my men to do their jobs and sweep the rival family members out into the street.

Chastity, on the other hand, looked like she couldn’t believe her eyes as she stared out across the emptying room. Her brows arched high. Her mouth hung open. Her expression stayed fixed and frozen until the last man was shuttled out the door.

“Silvestri,” I called out before he could leave.

“Yes, sir.”

“Please station a couple of guys at the door so no one else gets the idea to interrupt Miss Costa’s dinner.”

“Of course, sir,” he answered before walking out.

It took a good couple of seconds after the door had finally closed for Chastity to recover from the shock and turn back toward me.

“Y-You just snapped your fingers, and they all disappeared,” she sputtered in an almost terrified awe.

“That’s right.”

“How?…Why?…How?”

It was impossible not to smile while looking into those wide golden eyes. Especially not when trying to answer her questions.

The why was easy.

“For you.”

As for how…

“Like I keep trying to tell you and your father, I’m much more powerful than you think.”

“Mr. D’Angelo,” the maître d’ poked his head out of the kitchen. If he was surprised or upset to see his restaurant totally empty, he had the good sense not to show it. Instead, he didn’t skip a beat before asking, “Shall I assume this means you are ready for your main course?”

“Yes,” I answered. “Twoossobucoand another bottle of this excellent Margaux.”

“Of course, sir.”

“And Andrea,” I called out before he could duck back inside the kitchen. “Would you be so kind as to send someone to lower all the curtains in the windows?”

“It would be my pleasure, sir.”

“And dismiss the staff after our meal has been served,” I added. “My date has expressed a desire for complete privacy this evening.”

The man was wise enough to simply nod. “Certainly, sir.”

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