Page 68 of Wicked Rivals

Don Capaldo wouldn’t break our contract this late in the game, with no alternatives lined up. He would fuck with me, though, making threats and interrupting my business with all his bitching while his dead ass sat in my chair.

But then again, I couldn’t underestimate Benedetta. She had listened and learned from her father over the years, and her motivations for our match were less clear.

I never asked her why she’d been so agreeable because I didn’t care what she wanted. Her dowry and the power it gave me were all that mattered.

After giving me a few minutes, Tony cleared his throat.

“We're trying to uncover any new angles, boss, but nothing’s turning up. I checked out Benedetta myself. Nothing suggests it might’ve come from her. Her trusted circle of friends, family, and staff… all accounted for.

“Her security men still belong to her father, and they don’t take orders from her. So all we know at this point is someone wants the marriage contract broken, and that’s it.”

I flicked my wrist at his words.

“Listen, Tony. I want you to take a good, hard look at the Capaldo situation. Ensure I’m not being biased or underestimating Benedict.”

The bitter taste of regret hit my tongue.

Admitting bias meant admitting weakness.

Capaldo had only one option left to ensure the survival of his legacy anyway, and that was me. Under normal circumstances, if the man hadn’t been on his deathbed with no living sons or brothers, I wouldn’t have put much stock in that idea.

And after meeting Enzo, I understood his commitment to our marriage contract.

Benedict Capaldo knew his name wouldn’t live on after his death… he was ensuring the future of his only living child, his beloved princess.

He’d chosen me to lead his family not for my leadership ability or for my intelligence and strategic planning expertise but because I was the only don without illegitimate kids running around the city who might take his empire away from Benedetta’s heirs.

He didn’t know there wouldn’t be heirs. And he didn’t know about my son, not when we executed the contract.

“I suppose it could be him,” Tony said. “We can’t take anything off the table right now. But it makes no sense to me. Capaldo’s soldiers are top marksmen, and even their personal sidearms are more advanced than the shooter’s.

“Even if one of ‘em owned a shitty rifle, any of ‘em would’ve been a much better shot. Besides, the dons don’t miss.”

I released a heavy breath through my nose and nodded.

“Right. That’s true.”

“I hate to say it, Stef, but with that big window, not hitting anyone but you, and only in the arm, no less, it had to be an intentional miss or we're dealing with storm troopers.”

I rolled my eyes at the reference and let it go.

“Who would shoot up a window like that and try to not kill anyone?” I asked.

“Take your pick.” Tony shrugged. “The only thing we know for sure is the guy knew how to get to the boy and his mother. They had to be watching her for a while.”

Thinking out loud, I shook my head.

“Let’s circle back to the Capaldos. I don't think Benedict would be behind this,” I said. “He wouldn't go through all this trouble just for the embarrassment of a broken engagement. He knows that would affect his daughter’s reputation.

“Maybe if he weren't dying, sure, but he and I both know he’ll be gone in a few months. If we broke the contract now, it would destroy his dynasty, leaving Benedetta unprotected. She might get some money, but she would no longer have the protection of his men. They would die before following a woman.”

“Right,” Tony said. “But what if he arranged another match?”

“There isn’t a better one out there. Even if it were the case, he would give the kill order right out the gate to take me out. I wouldn’t have made it out of that café alive.”

“Who else then, boss?”

“Accusing Benedetta still doesn’t sit right with me, even though Val made a good point last night. Benedetta clearly does not like me, and she never had the option to say no to this marriage. Although she agreed to the no children thing, I don’t think she’s crazy about that either.”

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