Page 19 of Bartered Innocence

I wouldn’t have, but I’m not going to tell the bastard he’s right. Luca nods to the dark room behind him. Cormac and I exchange a sly glance when it’s empty, no mention of the Underboss no one has seen in over a year. At least when we announced my father’s sickness it eased people’s expectations. Luca’s father is keeping it a secret, even to the Famiglia, if the whispers I hear are to be believed. It could mean he is more ill than my father, and they wish to delay the inevitable as much as they can.

“Your father not feeling up to meeting?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light and uncaring. I’ve always wondered how close he truly is to his father. Despite rarely being photographed together and attending separate galas annually, he surprisingly granted Luca full control of the Famiglia without any official statement.

“No. Let’s discuss the terms of the marriage?” Luca replies, preventing any further conversation.

Ricky crosses his arms and I raise an eyebrow, switching my target. “You here in place of your father?”

He nods. “He trusts me to make the right decision for my family.”

I respect that, truth be told. A lot of fathers in our world struggle to let go of control. We follow them into the building and I hide my shock at the fully furnished interior, the other floors probably have equally furnished apartments. We have a few off the grid spots like this stashed away in Jersey and Philadelphia.

“Little hidey holes, aye?” I say.

Luca looks back, nodding once and leading us to a room off the lobby. Large cushioned chairs circle a table, and we all sit.

“I’m sure we all have a few. This is the closest one between New York and New Jersey,” Luca explains.

I raise an eyebrow. “And you showed us in…good faith?”

He shrugs. “If the need rises. The code doesn’t change, the only constant occupants are the whores.”

“Kind of you,” I say, biting back the sarcasm.

Luca stares at me with folded hands on his stomach, leaning comfortably back in his chair. “I do wish for this peace to work between us.”

I nod. “So do I, but I’m not going to be your best buddy overnight.”

Cormac shifts in his seat, glancing between Ricky and Luca. “None of us are here looking for friends. Let’s get to the point.”

A small tick in Luca’s cheek is the only reaction we get from him. “Since this is to settle the feud between families, we attest to no promise of territory, yes?”

“Yes, and since this is a favor for both of our fathers, we attest to no exchange of money, supplies, or goods?”

Luca raises an eyebrow. “You don’t want any product?”

While we stay away from running drugs, preferring to stick to guns and alcohol, the Famiglia has some of the purest snow on the East Coast. We both know it wouldn’t hold a candle to the Camorra, which is probably why Luca and his men don’t distribute it as their main income.

I shake my head. “I don’t like my men high.”

He shrugs taking no offense. “Sometimes it makes their tongues a little looser.”

“Not in the habit of torturing my own men. We have a little thing called trust…loyalty,” I taunt.

Luca doesn’t fall for the bait, only watches me with a silent glare. “What about routes? Possible to determine new ones for both of us?”

I raise my eyebrows. “You’d allow us through your Canadian checkpoint?”

“Is the Virginia Port open to us?”

“I wouldn’t be opposed to discussing it further,” I say with a shrug. It’s hard to let go of my persistent distrust and hatred for the man, but I can see the benefits for all of our men. We move a lot of money and supplies, and we consistently have to change up ways to avoid the feds catching on.

Ricky’s displeased stare rubs me the wrong way, so I face him straight on. “You obviously have something to say, speak.”

“Look, I don’t care about all that. Isabelle deserves a husband who is going to respect her and love her,” Ricky says, glaring at me.

“What becomes of mine and your sister’s relationship is none of your fucking business. That’s what happens when you offer her up like a cake on a silver platter, and I’m the smart one to take a piece without asking any questions.” I smirk, enjoying the flush of Ricky’s skin as his fury spreads across his face.

“You fucking?—”

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