Page 94 of Wicked Rivals

Lordi sat back in his chair, calmer now. “True enough.”

I shook my head, dismissing him, the conversation, his offer, dismissing every-fucking-thing.

“No, I won’t be joining the Commission.”

“You’re making a grave mistake, Vignali.”

“I don’t think so. You have nothing to worry about anyway. The marriage contract between Don Capaldo and me was dissolved this morning. I won’t be marrying his daughter. That means this sit down is pointless.”

Lordi blinked at me, then lifted a hand as if swatting away a fly in slow motion.

“If that’s indeed true, then I guess you’re free to do as you wish. But the offer still stands. You would be a welcome addition to this committee. Maybe one day, you’ll even sit at the head of the table.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

I turned to leave.

“If you're not marrying the Capaldo girl,” he called after me, “you should find another bride. You need to establish an heir soon, Stefano. Otherwise, why continue building the Vignali empire? Empires are made to outlast a man and live on through his future generations.”

I stopped but didn’t turn around. I was fucking fed up with him and his hideous restaurant.

“Are we done here?” I asked.

“You belong with us on this committee. We make much better allies than enemies. Something for you to consider.”

“I don’t need to?—”

“No, don't answer until you think it over. Go home and weigh the pros and cons. Look ahead at how things might play out either way. Then, if you change your mind, come back here after closing, and all Commission members will welcome you into the fold.”

I looked back over my shoulder at the three men sitting there, stuffing themselves with wine and prosciutto.

Yeah, no thanks.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here, Tony,” I said.

As we crossed the room to leave, I realized the meeting had been useful.

The Commission wasn’t behind the attack on my son. They weren’t aware he existed, not yet.

As much as I hated to admit it, Lordi had made a valid point about having an heir. I needed someone to pass my empire to when the time came, even if that looked differently now that Enzo had come into my life.

If I wanted to name him my heir apparent, I needed to make him my legitimate child first.

“This way, sir,” one of Lordi’s men said.

He flagged us over and returned our weapons and phones, then quickly stepped out of my path with a respectful nod. Tony and I checked our phones, and we’d both missed numerous calls from the house and from Bruce’s cell phone.

A sharp pain knifed me in the gut.

Val. My son.

Were they hurt?

Had the shooter found them and gotten past my men?

The second we got in the car, Jimmy started rambling.

I stared at his face, stunned, searching for a clue.

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