Page 17 of Ivory Sins
“This suggests that Olivia has been feeding sensitive Bellanti information to Nova over the past years,” Isabella says, stuttering, her voice low and filled with disappointment.
“That's impossible,” Lorenzo says, a scowl flashing across his face as he steps forward and joins Luca to look for himself.
“I don't want to believe it either,” Matteo says, “but the timestamps coincide with several Bellanti operations that were compromised.”
I can sense their doubt and now isn't the time to play Nova's games. “Guys, we're getting sidetracked again,” I say, being the voice of reason. “You all know Olivia. You know she'd never do this. He's messing with us–this is nothing but a ploy to turn us against one another.”
The room is silent for a moment as my words sink and they consider the possibility that I'm right.
“Now, what?” Angelo asks. “How do we find Olivia? How do we get her back?”
I think for a minute and raise my head. “I have a plan. And we're gonna need the Russians to execute it.”
The Bellanti exchange glances but say nothing.
“So, you want me to help you save your damsel in distress…why?” Petrov asks, relaxed in his chair, a corny smirk playing on his lips.
“You sneaky bastard, you think this a joke?” Lorenzo snaps, almost losing control.
Matteo and Nico grab him immediately and shove him aside, telling him to calm the fuck down. His outburst could jeopardize this entire plan, and we don't need that.
“Temper, temper, boy,” Petrov snickers, clearly enjoying the desperation he sees in our eyes.
He's a businessman and I'm sure he'll want to salvage this situation to his own advantage.
“Your sister's safety is quite important to you,” he says. “I get that. But what's in it for me if I help you? I don't run my organization on charity, you know.”
“If you help us, you get to catch Nova, the man that's been selling mafia secrets to the Chinese triad,” Matteo says to him. “I'm sure there's a million ways you can torture him for his crimes.”
Petrov is silent, as if weighing his options. “That is true. I will delight in seeing him suffer. But unfortunately, that won't cut it for me,” he adds. “Gimme something I cannot resist, and then you have yourself a deal, da?”
Matteo thinks for a moment, his eyes shifting across the rest of us. "Help us, and you will gain access to Bellanti's established southern routes. You'll enjoy joint ventures in legitimate businesses that both families can use for operations. Plus, a united front against Chinese expansion. That good enough for you?”
“Hmm.” Petrov strokes his jaw, his eyes pinned on Matteo. “Add one more thing to the list and we're good.”
Matteo's eyes narrow. “What's that?”
“Olivia's legal expertise to help us legitimize certain business holdings in America.”
Matteo looks at his brothers, and in a moment of silent understanding, an agreement is made.
“Deal,” Matteo says.
“Fantastic.” Petrov rises to his feet and extends his hand.
Matteo shake it, sealing the alliance between both families.
9
Olivia
Myeyesflutteropen,a slight pang throbbing at the back of my head as I finally come to. I wince at my aches with a blurry vision, my mind trying to recall how I got here. Then it hits me. A masked man had broken into my penthouse. I remember fighting back, struggling to get out of the building while turning my living room upside down.
My attacker was stronger and had sedated me with some sort of injection. My vision clears instantly, and I take in the dimly lit room.
I try to move, but the ropes binding me to the chair keep me in check. I struggle, but to no avail. The more I try to free my hands, the more the ropes hurt my wrists.
“Don't bother, you're never getting outta those,” a distorted voice speaks, almost startling me.
