Page 51 of Sin & Secrets

Giuliano just smiles back at me. “There are still those that will support my claim as the rightful don. You should be careful not to break any more of the sanctions on my list, or else who knows the wrath you may invoke.”

“I have little fear of Claudio Lazzaro’s wrath if that’s what you refer to.”

Something ignites behind Giuliano’s expression. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” I turn back to him, daring a step forward. “Why should such a lowlife appear on your list at all, then?”

“He is instrumental in our operations.”

“He grooms women to perform at theCandelabra.He is in no way vital.” I step closer. “In fact, it seems the only person to believe so is you. Why would that be?”

“He has exhibited great loyalty to me.”

I feign a pitying look. “But not to me, his actual don. Perhaps I will kill him after all.”

“He remains on my list.”

“And on mine for Bellini’s conspirators,” I reveal, watching the former don’t face intently. “I would be careful how much you defend him, or else some might think you were actively campaigning against the Guild.”

Something in Giuliano’s temple twitches, and I instinctively brace myself for a blow that never comes.

“You dare accuse me of such a thing?” Giuliano stalks forward to me.

“Just eliminating the possibility.”

“You listen here, boy.” He almost spits the word in my face, and I can smell the telltale scent of liquor on his breath. “TheGuild is my legacy, you hear me? You think me capable of selling information to the fucking Cartel?”

My face remains entirely neutral. “I believe you capable of sowing ruin whenever you put your mind to it.”

This time, he does go to strike me.

Only, I’m not a boy anymore.

Wham.

No sooner does his hands grasp my collar than I pivot and slam him into the ground.

“I am done here,” I say as I see myself out.

From the floor, Giuliano wheezes after me. “You’re a disgrace.”

“I get that from you.”

There’s no remorse in my words, only my cool demeanor disguising the rapidly beating heart of a child.

Teo and Martino still wait by the car, whispering to each other in low voices.

“Time to go,” I announce.

Teo gives me a once over, clearly noting the childish panic behind my schooled expression. But he doesn’t comment.

“You think he’s in on it?” Teo asks instead as he opens the car door for me.

I glance up at the glass skyscraper one last time. “If he is, he’s enraged enough to make his next move as soon as possible.”

14

CASSANDRA

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