Page 51 of Weaponized

“Youknowthis, eh? Good work, lass.” His compliment turns my stomach. It’s hard to believe I once craved his approval. “I hear you were at Titus last week. What can you tell me about that meeting? I’m aware that Victor and Nikolai met.”

“Yes. Victor met with Nikolai. They talked mostly about travel. It was meant to be a peacemaking dinner. Nikolai tried to talk about the docks, but Victor didn’t want to have that discussion. The Russians left mad.”

“Stupid bastards. Can’t take care of the simplest of things,” my father grumbles. “How long will it take you to get a ring on your finger?”

I’m taken aback by the abrupt change of subject. “Why?”

“Are youquestioningme, Gráinne?” His voice rises.

“No. No, of course not. Lucawillpropose; that’s not an issue. I just didn’t know how soon you needed it to happen, Da. That’s all.” I try to sound unaffected, as if I’m just seeking more information to act upon his will.

“Hmmmm. Good then. I’ll be in touch soon. You know why you were sent there, áilleacht beag. When it is time for you to get into the Larozzi household, I will let you know. There will be no delays or excuses. I have plans for the day your relationship will require me to reconnect with Victor. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Da. I understand. I can deliver.”

“Yes. You had better. This has been a long time coming. The Larozzi name will soon be only a memory. Their reign is about to end.”

My father hangs up without another word. I slump onto the sofa while Rowan moves to put his arm around me.

“It’s just a little longer, deirfiúr.” His voice drips with sympathy. “I’m almost there. You just need to string Da along a little longer. Let him think you’re playing his game. You’re doing great. He has no idea what’s really happening.”

“IloveLuca.” My tone is fierce. “I will do anything to protect him, Rowan.Anything. If I have to lie, cheat, or steal from Da, I will. But, I will not let him hurt Luca or anyone he loves. Ever. So you need to get this plan in motion, because if I need to kill Da in his sleep myself, I will do it.” I’m breathing hard.

“That won’t be necessary, G. I have allies. In fact, I have a meeting with the Walsh boys in a few minutes,to discuss strategy.”

“Taryn’s brothers?” I ask, surprised. Taryn is the only Walsh I know and her family is definitely part of the clan.

“Yes, her older brothers. Don’t mention it to her, though. It’s not our place to let her know that her big brother is my reaper.”

I’d tell him that I can keep a secret, but I’m still processing that my friend’s brother tortures and kills for a living. I am sure she has no clue. Nothing is simple in our world.

“Why does Da hate the Larozzis so much?” I ask wearily.

“It has to do with a game of poker.”

“A game of poker?” I repeat dully. Luca was tortured over a card game?

“About a decade ago, Da lost the wharf property in a high-stakes game at Titus,” my brother explains. “He claims that Victor Larozzi cheated to win and took possession of the building before Da could even remove his belongings. So, Larozzi not only took the property, but everything in it. You know how Da is. He wants to make Victor pay by taking something he loves.”

Luca. Matteo.

“Victor’s held onto the property all this time, but he recently put it up for sale. He’s expected to get a mint for it. Seems Da is a little…triggered. He’s always wanted to expand our business. This provided the impetus for him to strike now. Take what the Italians have. What he believes is due to him.”

My temples are beginning to pound. A card game. A stupid building complex.

“What if we give Da what he wants?”

My brother raises his eyebrows. “You want to buy him the building?”

“Not exactly, but I’m sure I can get himintothe building. He wants an engagement,” I muse, “and that will require him to meet with Victor. What if we ask him to meet us there?” There has to be a way to put an end to this. To him.

“It’s not a bad idea,” my brother admits. “We’d have to figure out what to do about Seamus, because Da wouldn’t attend a meeting at an offsite location without him.” He pauses. Thinks. “I definitely have some work to do internally first. I don’t want war with the Italians, and the clan will strike if they think Da has been hurt by them.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I just need a little more time.”

“The Russians tried to set up the Greeks to take the fall with the Family,” I remind Rowan. “What if we set up the Russians to take the fall for anything that happens with Da?”

Rowan’s eyes narrow. “It would give us and the Italians a common enemy.”

“A reason to work together as far as the clan is concerned,” I agree.

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