Page 25 of Bound Vows
“And if they suspect I’m working for you? Word has certainly gotten around that you took me.”
“Then you’ll need to be very convincing about your desire for revenge against the man who kidnapped you.” I smile at the irony of this cover story. “Your presence at this gathering will be seen as evidence that you escaped or were released. No one will suspect that you’re there voluntarily.”
Maya finally sits, though her posture remains rigid with tension. “They’ll want details about your operations, your security, and your weaknesses.”
“Which you’ll provide selectively and offer information that serves our purposes while appearing to cooperate with theirintelligence-gathering.” I lean forward with my elbows on the table, watching her face. “You’ll play multiple sides simultaneously, Maya. It requires considerable skill.”
“It requires betraying everything I was raised to believe in.”
“It requires adapting to new circumstances and prioritizing outcomes over ideology.” I stand and walk around the table until I’m behind her chair, close enough to see the tension in her shoulders. “I don’t think I need to remind you that your family’s survival depends on your ability to successfully navigate this role.”
Maya tilts her head back to look at me, and her green eyes hold rage and resignation, which tells me she’s approaching acceptance. “And after I provide this intelligence? What happens to the families I’ll be betraying?”
“That depends on their willingness to negotiate. Those who accept integration will maintain their operations under new management. Those who resist will discover that resistance has consequences.” I place my hands on her shoulders, feeling the rigid muscles beneath the silk of her robe. “Your intelligence determines which families fall into which category.”
“You’re asking me to decide who lives and who dies.”
“I’m asking you to provide information that allows reasonable people to make reasonable choices about their futures.” I move my hands to the base of her neck, massaging gently. “The deaths that result from resistance are the responsibility of those who choose to resist, not the person who provided tactical intelligence.”
Maya leans into the massage despite herself, and I feel some of the tension leave her shoulders. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”
“I have sixteen years of planning behind every decision I make. That includes contingencies for moral objections from reluctant partners.” I continue working at the knots in her neck while she debates internally. “Your participation ensures minimal casualties among people you care about. Your refusal guarantees maximum casualties among people you care about.”
“Some choice.”
“All choices involve tradeoffs between competing priorities. The question is whether you prioritize abstract principles or concrete lives.” I step back and return to my seat, giving her space to reach the conclusion I know she’s approaching. “Your brother’s life, Vincent’s life, your sister’s children, both born and the one she’s carrying—these are real things that require protection.”
Maya closes her eyes and takes several deep breaths before opening them again with resolve that tells me the battle is won. “What do you need me to do?”
“Attend the gathering as a recently escaped kidnapping victim seeking allies for revenge. Express anger about your treatment, demand support for retaliation, and listen carefully to everything they reveal about their defensive preparations.” I pull out a folder containing photographs and background information. “These are the key players you’ll encounter. Study their relationships, their territorial boundaries, and their individual motivations.”
Maya opens the folder and examines the contents with a professional focus that impresses me. “The Benedetti patriarch will be there?”
“Frankie Benedetti, along with his three sons and their replacement lieutenants. They control shipping through New Jersey ports and maintain connections with families in Philadelphia.” I point to a photograph of a distinguished older man with silver hair. “He’s the most influential voice in any coalition they might form.”
“And you want me to determine their shipping schedules, security protocols, and financial vulnerabilities.”
“Among other things, yes. The more comprehensive your intelligence, the cleaner our eventual operations can be.” I watch her study each photograph with the attention of someone memorizing faces for future reference. “Frankie has a weakness for attractive women who remind him of his late wife. You’ll sit near him during dinner.”
Maya looks up from the folder with disgust clear on her face. “You want me to seduce him for information.”
“I want you to charm him into revealing operational details that will save lives when we move against his organization. Whether that requires seduction depends on your assessment of what motivates him.” I close the folder and slide it across the table toward her. “You have three days to prepare. I suggest you use that time to perfect your performance as a vengeful victim seeking justice.”
Maya stands and tucks the folder under her arm. “And if this goes wrong? If they suspect I’m working for you despite my best efforts?”
“Then you’ll discover why I chose you for this operation rather than sending someone expendable.” I finish my coffee and set the cup aside with finality. “Your family name provides protection that my regular operatives lack. Even if they suspect deception, they won’t risk harming a Mastroni without absolute proof.”
I stand and gesture toward the wedding dress hanging from the chandelier. “Think of Saturday’s performance as a rehearsal for our upcoming ceremony. Both require you to play a role that serves larger purposes.”
Maya follows my line of sight to the dress, and something in her posture shifts toward acceptance of her fate. “When is the wedding?”
“Next week. Father Bianchi will perform the ceremony, assuming he remains available for such duties. Your performance Saturday determines whether he’ll be conducting a wedding or a funeral.”
Maya heads toward the dining room exit but pauses at the threshold. “You really think you can control everything, don’t you?”
“As I said, Maya, I think sixteen years of planning has prepared me for most contingencies, including moral objections from beautiful women with misplaced loyalty.” I smile at her retreating figure. “The question is whether you’re smart enough to recognize inevitability when it’s standing in front of you.”
Chapter 11
