Page 6 of Traitor

He stood quickly, almost pushing the table in my direction. “Whatever you think my brother has done, I can assure you--.”

I pointed to his chair. “He’s taken something that is mine and you know it, so sit down and listen would you?”

He growled as he sat back down in his chair, but he didn’t have a word of protest. And that alone was enough for me to settle on my plans.

I’ll put a hit out on both of you in no time.“There’s a battle brewing between us, wouldn’t you think?”

Ronnie nodded his head. “More like a war that’s been brewing for some time, yes.”

“And I would imagine that you’re more jumpy than usual for reasons I’ve already mentioned? Yes?”

He didn’t confirm, but he also didn’t deny it either. “You better watch your next words, or I’ll--.”

I took a bite of my steak. “Kill Charlotte yourself?”

He blinked. “What?”

I chewed and swallowed. “That’s what you were going to say, right? Kill Charlotte yourself to spite me? Because you know what Lorenzo’s done, and you know what kind of a back-handed slight that is.”

He leaned forward. “If you want to leave with your life, I suggest you get up now.”

I took a bite of my mashed potatoes. “Oh, man. Definite compliments to the chef. I need this recipe, too, because the garlic in this is--.”

“Enough!” he bellowed.

And then, I shot up from my chair. “It will never be enough, and let me tell you why, Ronnie: because until you can control the urges of your own family, you’ll never truly rule this island. No matter how many businesses you control and no matter how much money you bring in, if you can’t control your little mutt? It doesn’t mean shit. He’ll always undermine you, and he’ll always go behind your back, because that’s the kind of man he is. But, did you ever stop to think for one second as to why he does that?”

Ronnie blinked, but he didn’t say anything. And I knew I had him backed into a corner.

“Waiter?” I asked as I stared the head of the Lucchese Family down.

He rushed to my side. “Yes, Mr. Emiliano?”

I stood upright and finally turned to face him. “I’d like a to-go box and the rest of that bottle of wine, please. And a dessert. You can put it on Mr. Lucchese’s tab for the evening as well, I’m sure he won’t mind. Right?”

His temples pulsed. “You’ll pay for this.”

The waiter scurried away as I wiped my hands on the silken cloth napkin afforded to me. “Actually, you’re paying for this tonight. But, if you don’t get that mutt brother of yours in line with the rest of the family, you’ll be paying in other ways eventually, too.”

After acquiring my food, I strolled out of the private room, leaving Ronnie to his thoughts. It didn’t take a genius to understand why Lorenzo was doing what he wanted. Why he kept undermining the head of his own family.

It was because Lorenzo wanted to sit in Ronnie’s seat. The mutt wanted to be the head of the family. But in order to protect myself—and this city—from the war looming over all of our heads, I would need Char’s help.

And I hoped my conversation with Ronnie proved to be enough to knock their family off balance.

3

Charlotte

I wokeup with a start as I felt myself being lifted off the ground. I panicked for a split second as I jolted awake as a pair of arms tightened around me.

“Hold still,” Lorenzo murmured.

Then, I felt the bonds around my wrists and ankles fall away.

“What are you doing?” I asked groggily.

“Come with me. You’re weak, and you need sustenance.”

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