Page 81 of Stricken

"Your cousin's more cunning than we gave him credit for," Vlad says. "Seems to me he's been playing a long game."

"Dio mio."

Vlad nods grimly. "There's more. I sent my men to scout the Morelli compound and see if they can get some info on the streets. It's not looking good…" He hesitates, and I feel a chill creep up my spine.

"Just spill it," I demand. "I don't like being in the fucking dark."

"Looks like Tony's been cut off from the world. Salvatore is doing business in his steed."

"Oh hell." Sal's milking his father's weakness for all it's worth. I scoot up, now fully vertical. "He's never been involved in it to begin with. Claudio never let him."

Vlad leans in closer, voice dropping to a secretive whisper. "Another thing," he continues. "There's a rumor circulating. They're saying you're dead."

"Dead? Why would they think—"

"They found a burnt body in the warehouse," Vlad explains. "No official ID yet. But someone's keen to slap your name on it because of some watch they found there identified as yours."

I shut my eyes, feeling the walls of this room closing in. When I pry them open again, Vlad stares back at me with worry sculpted into every line on his face.

"If there is a body, it means someone died."

"It's not on us. I checked with my guys. Sal's people must have done that."

"But why?" I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact someone is trying to keep me dead.

"Because the real you made it out. I'm suspecting this is all a show-off for Tony. He sees your body, signs off his business to his younger son."

"Wherever this leads can't be good."

"We need to be smart about this, Nico," Vlad says softly. "For now, it's best if the world thinks you're gone."

I sit up straighter. "I need to reach Tony. He has to know I'm alive, that Salvatore's behind this. I bet thatcazzois whispering in Uncle's ear."

"It's too dangerous for you to approach him directly. If you go back home, guns blazing, and in this condition, Sal and his men will never let you see your uncle. I already have my men track Tony's movements. He will leave the house sooner or later. He probably goes to church. With you presumably dead, he'll want to go see a priest. That's our best shot."

Why have I never thought of that, I wonder. "Your men don't mind?"

"Of course, they don't mind." Vlad chuckles as if I asked something so obvious. "We're in this together now, Romeo. Whether you want it or not. For better or worse."

I reach out, my fingers brushing against his. The simple touch has my world returning to its axis. "Grazie, Vlad. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

There's a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "I'm sure we can think of something."

The moment hangs between us, filled with possibilities. Then Vlad's brow furrows. "Where's your guy? Costa? You should have backup."

I tense, choosing my words carefully because I don't want to give him false hope. "He's... handling some business for me out of town."

Vlad's eyebrow arches. "While things here this hot?"

"When I gave him the task, it was before shit hit the fan," I lie.

Vlad stands, straightening his wrinkled blazer. His hair falls across his forehead, a bit messy. And somehow, this look—it makes him seem younger. Innocent even. Like an Ivy League graduate working in accounting. "I'll start digging into Tony's routine, find you an opening," he supplies. "But Nico," he pauses, his expression grave, "for now, we do need to play dead even if your cousin knows the body isn't you. We're not sure what happened in that warehouse and who died. It's at our best advantage–keeping the truth to ourselves."

I nod slowly, the weight of the decision making me uncomfortable. "Agreed. We let them think they've won, then strike when they least expect it."

Vlad's smile is predatory. "That's my boy. Now, rest. We've got a long game ahead of us too. Your cousin isn't the only one who can play them."

CHAPTER28

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