Page 142 of Massimo

"You first need to accept."

Massimo's jaw tightens. "I'd be a fool to accept this deal blindly."

"You'll want to accept because you'll want to know what I have to share."

There's silence as the two Dons wait for the other to give in.

"Agreed," Massimo finally responds, his voice clipped, but I see his calculation.

"Wise choice,moy droog," Rurik says. "The hacker we discussed earlier has reached out to Mancini."

"I thought that hacker was no longer involved with Mancini?" Massimo demands.

Rurik curses under his breath in what I assume is Russian. "They're stubborn and willful," he mutters, then continues more clearly, "Their plan was to re-initiate contact with Mancini and send him a virus program—one they call 'The Parasite.' It was successful and has essentially cloned his phone."

Massimo's large frame hums with excitement, while I struggle to process that such technological capabilities even exist. It's both unreal and terrifying.

"Silvestro Mancini is currently in your city," Rurik adds.

"Where?" Massimo demands, and Rurik relays an address.

"That's in the heart of Serpent territory." A malicious smile creeps across Massimo's face. "Looks like I’ll be taking down more than one enemy with one blow."

"It's a glorious day when you can be efficient and ruthless." Rurik chuckles but quickly sobers. "Now, for my favor owed in return: I need you to stand down and not retaliate against Sean Finley."

I don't know who all these players are in Massimo's world, but his fist clenches against my back.

"If Sean is guilty of sins against my family, I will not let that go unanswered, Rurik."

"Sean is an idiot." Rurik sighs. "A weak leader, but I can't allow you to kill him, Massimo."

"It's dangerous to assume you canallowme to do anything, especially in my territory."

Rurik sighs again. "Patrick Finley called me himself. He's caught wind of what's been happening; he'll handle Sean. Sean has assured him that when he provided the explosives to Ivan Everheart, he had no idea they would be used to try to blow up your front gate."

Massimo doesn't answer immediately. I can see his cunning and strategic mind working this out from all angles. Finally, he says, "I won't strike at Sean for the part he's played up to this point. However, if evidence comes to light showing he's had more of a role, or if anything happens from this point forward, it will not be ignored."

"You have Patrick's word that Sean won't be a further problem."

"Patrick Finley owes me a favor…one I will collect," Massimo warns.

"Of course."

He glances at me and rubs his thumb over my lips. "I have something for you as well, friend."

"Oh, do tell."

I bite back a smile at these two ruthless leaders' cold-yet-friendly bantering.

"How badly do you want Julien Moreau?"

"More than you can fucking ever know." Heat and hate cut through Rurik's icy tone. "He hasn't left his island fortress since he had Felicity killed."

"Except for a little impromptu trip to San Francisco."

There's stunned silence. "Are you offering him to me?"

"This gesture comes attached with a future favor."

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