Page 64 of La Dolce Vita

"Have a drink with me," Armando offered.

"No thanks, haven't had breakfast," Lorenzo said.

"I insist," Armando countered. Ignacio made the drinks for them. Lorenzo was respectful. He accepted the glass. He toasted Armando before tossing it back. Armando sipped his whiskey and stared at Lorenzo over the rim. He set the glass down and smiled.

"So, I'm not sure why you're here." Armando reclined. "Giovanni knows the number to my accountant if he has any questions."

The tables had turned after the rescue. Before he was paying Giovanni not only his sisters’ half of the earnings in his father’s investments, but also interest for the many years they were denied their legacy. It was a bitter punishment that he suffered to avoid the secret being exposed to the other Dons of Sicily. Now Giovanni was his bitch and the payments stopped.

"I bring news."

Armando glanced up. "News?"

"More like an offer, yes."

"And he makes this offer through you?" Armando chuckled. He glanced to Ignacio who in turn smirked at his boss.

"That's correct," Lorenzo said.

"Interesting," Armando set his whiskey glass down on the desk. He stared at Lorenzo in that consistent way that was so much like the eldest Marsuvio Mancini. But Lorenzo remained unfazed.

"Let me hear Giovanni's offer."

"You asked to settle your affairs with the Battaglias. For Giovanni to name his price. You've asked this of us since your father's death."

Armando nodded. "Ah, so here we are? Time to make deals?"

"Not deals. An offer. To sever our affairs."

"Affair? You mean relationship.Siamo una famiglia.We are family. I am your brother, and that baby Marietta carries has my blood in his veins." Armando smiled. "My legacy is the child's future, no? Or we could use the legacy of your poor dead papa instead?"

Lorenzo stiffened.

"It's okay to say it aloud here. Ignacio knows of our blood ties.Siamo una famiglia."Armando said with his arms open and hands turned upward. "We are family."

"You will never be my family."

Armando chuckled. "Too bad for you that I am not."

"Are you done?" Lorenzo asked.

"How much?" Armando shrugged.

"Eighty million lire," Lorenzo said.

Armando laughed. He laughed heartily. He glanced to Ignacio who smiled. "All my assets combined barely equal eighty million," he said. "Make a serious offer."

"It's the only offer on the table."

"Bullshit. Ignacio, get Giovanni on the phone. He should know better than to send his errand boy to insult me."

"This is no bullshit. He wants the deal transacted in under a month. All taxes to be paid by you."

"And if I refuse? Which he knows I will." Armando arched a brow.

"Then he collects." Lorenzo cocked his head to the left, and a sly smile curled his lips. "By any means necessary."

"Giovanni is out of his fucking mind to threaten me! This is your doing. Isn't it, errand boy?"

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