Page 104 of Ruthless Oath

“They are willing to allow us some wiggle room because they need us in power to keep them in power. Having me go underground to help them figure out what happened to their nephew has created a hole in our organization.”

“That’s my fault.” I shrugged but Milo waved me off. “If I hadn’t provoked Gallanti, I could have been a better resource to you. None of this would be happening.”

“No one is saying that,” my father said. “We knew some would come for the territory because they would see us as vulnerable. I left you in a tough position. But we have to get back on track.”

“I know.” Our whole organization relied on getting my father home.

“Juan will be in touch to help facilitate the Argentina shipment. You cannot screw that up. We won’t have a second chance,” my father said. “I trust you with this, Marchello. Work with your brother to get this done.”

“I will.” I rubbed my temple, trying to back off an impending migraine. “I won’t let you down.”

“Let’s move on to problem number two,” my dad said. “The Bello family.”

“What about them?” Milo asked. “We know they’re working with Gallanti. My sources say they have been meeting a lot lately.”

“Keep on them,” my dad said. “I have reason to believe they were involved with the disappearance of the cartel member.”

“Do you think Gian is involved too?” I asked.

If he was, and my father had to expose him to resolve this situation, there wouldn’t be anything I could do to help him. Lissia would have to accept her father’s fate.

“We’re going to have to keep digging,” he said. “Your main focus now is keeping the Argentina cartel happy.”

“What about getting you back?” I looked at Milo. “Shouldn’t that be our priority?”

“It would have been, Marchello, but things have changed and the focus has shifted. I’ll work with Juan to figure out what Bello is up to. In the meantime, don’t bring anyone new into the mix. Trust a small few.”

“You’ll be in touch?” Milo asked.

“When I can,” my dad said. “Stay safe and make smart choices.”

That comment was directed more at me than it was at Milo.

“I’ll talk to you soon.” He ended the call before we could say goodbye.

“He’s frustrated,” Milo said.

“Can you blame him?” I tossed the burner phone back to my brother. “He was referring to me when he said the focus has shifted. I’m the reason we have to deal with Argentina.”

“What’s done is done. Dad seems to have things under control on his end.”

“You mean he’s doing a better job of running things in the shadows?”

“He’s been at this a lot longer.” Milo shoved the phone into his pocket. “You’re doing the best you can.”

“Am I?”

“You came back here. You know what has to be done.”

Knowing what had to be done and doing it were two different things. My father deserved better from me. Being caught between him and the woman I could potentially tear apart when I had to take out her father wasn’t where I wanted to be. If Gian had anything to do with the cartel’s missing nephew, they would expect me to handle the situation.

“This is more than a territorial thing, isn’t it?” Milo asked.

“What?”

“Kidnapping the mafia princess,” he said. “At first, I thought not returning her was an ego thing, but now it’s more. You’re in deeper than you’re admitting.”

“Do you want a drink?” I would need one for this conversation.

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