Page 96 of Deception

“My bad, name’s Ciro, this is my little brother Ero.” He extends his hand. Isabella shakes it, clenching her jaw. “Does she talk?”

“Only to people who don’t pester her or annoy her. Tomas, please see her to her room.” The implication registers in my head of security’s eyes and he bows lightly to her, ushering her upstairs.

Ero stares openly at me, clearly spotting the interaction and understanding the cues.

“We’ve got plenty to do. How about a report,” Adriano interjects.

“Always business, business, business! You just got home!” Ciro yells, falling in.

“War room. Now.” I don’t bother waiting for them to follow me.

The board room is spacious, comfortable, but practical.

“You’ve located Dom’s hideout?” I ask without preamble, nailing Ero with a glare.

“I believe so. The Serpent’s Head all seem to take orders out of one place, an office building near the foundry,” Ero rattles off, his baritone never above a close, conversational volume.

“Found the ol’ head of the serpent, as it were. Talk about fucking cheesy.” Ciro kicks his feet up on the desk.

“I would think it's a lot more cheesy if he wasn't killing off our people,” Adriano retorts.

“That’s just it, though,” Ciro quips, getting as serious as he ever does, “they’ve gone pretty quiet the last few days. We followed every group back to their hideouts, their bases of operation. They all report back to one place, we’re just not sure if Dom is actually there.”

“So how do you know it’s him?” I ask.

“His name’s on the deed to the place, and I mean, come on, Serpent’s Head? Vipera?”

“I know. It’s too on the nose not to be him. I just…”

“We all hoped it wasn’t him,” Ciro concedes, patting the air. “But the guy’s always been hyper-ambitious, volatile.”

“You don’t turn on family, though,” Ero adds, crossing his arms.

“Damn straight.”

“What I don’t get is why there’s been no communication. Why the fuck isn’t he trying to announce his presence, talk to you? I mean, he tried to off you for fuck’s sake with no warning, then no other attempts on the compound, just nothing.” Adriano paces the room.

“We could send him a message. See if he wants to parley.”

“We are going to send him a message, Ciro,” I catch each of their eyes in turn. “But we’re going to do it at gunpoint. He’s going to know the king has returned when I'm standing over him, about to pull the trigger.”

“Fuck yeah!” Ciro cheers. Ero nods his agreement.

“Ero, how’s security?”

“Security is tighter than ever, we’ve switched all guard rotations. No one is getting the drop on us here.”

“Just to explore every option, what if we did offer to parley, draw him out. Get him in the open.”

“Use me as bait, you mean? Not a bad idea. Then I could snap his neck in front of the entire council of elders.”

“That would suit some of them. Most just want this over, as quiet as possible. The threat of a hostile force is bad for business. It’s starting to affect a few of their bottom lines, clientele are getting nervous.” Adriano shakes his head as he sits, deep in thought.

“Keep it in mind. See if we can avoid all-out war.” I roll my shoulders, cracking my neck. “Not that I’d mind if we have to go in, guns blazing.”

“See? This is why they put you in charge. Rational,” Ciro quips. “I vote for violence.”

“They put you in charge because you make rational decisions, Aless. Keepthatin mind,” Adriano says, raising an eyebrow.

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