Page 16 of Bratva Bride

My father tapped his fingers along the table, pursing his lips in thought. I could see he was seriously considering this but there was still a part of him that was holding back.

"You said The Los Zetas aided Nero. How so? Was it just with weapons, or did they supply Nero with men to help take you on?" I asked Alessandro, leaning forward on my elbows.

A sly smile broke out over his face as his gaze landed on me.

"Intelligente e bella."Smart and beautiful,Alessandro said in Italian.

"I preferisco mortale."I prefer deadly,I replied in Italian.

I watched in amusement as all three of the De Luca men looked at me in surprise, their jaws dropping open. They hadn't anticipated I could speak their native tongue.

My father always thought it was important to know your enemy. And how can you know your enemy if you don't speak their language? So, he made sure my brothers and I learnt the basics. Russian, Italian, Spanish and Chinese.

"To answer your questionPrincipessa,Princess, it was with reinforcements. The Los Zetas provided a stream of men to help in his crusade against us,” Alessandro replied.

"And is that what you need from us? Men as well as weapons?" Aleksandr asked, continuing my line of questioning.

My father leaned back in his chair and let us take over. He never minded when we asked questions, if anything he preferred it. He always used to say that the best way to learn something was to do it firsthand.

If Alessandro cared that we were the ones asking questions, he didn't show it. He continued as if my father himself had spoken.

"Si. I'm not asking to pluck your men from your territory and bring them to mine. No, no no," Alessandro began, his thick Italian accent coating his words. "I'm merely suggesting that when certain situations arise, I can call upon you and your men to aid us. We would extend the same courtesy to you as well, should you need it.”

My father remained silent as he processed Alessandro's words. I could see his brain running through every possible scenario that having an alliance with the De Lucas would bring.

He raised his hand and clicked his fingers, bringing forth the woman from earlier with a new drink in her hand. She took the empty glass from before, placed the new one down in front of my father, and quickly made her exit.

He brought the glass to his lips and sighed with satisfaction as the liquid moved down his throat. He remained silent after finishing his drink, letting the suspense build in the air. The four men standing behind the De Lucas started to shift from foot to foot, unable to hide their discomfort.

Father watched as the men squirmed before him. He didn't show it, but I could tell he was pleased at their reaction. The only ones seemingly unaffected by my father's powerful presence were the De Luca men.

"You've given me a lot to think about Alessandro. A lot to consider. But I do still have one question for you," my father spoke low, his voice rough.

Alessandro arched an eyebrow, waiting.

"How do you plan to solidify our alliance? A blood oath? Or a union of marriage?"

At Father's last question, I heard a sharp intake of breath come from behind me, and I knew it was Maxim. I didn't need to turn around to know exactly the kind of look that would be on his face.

A low growl started sounding throughout the room and it took everything in me not to stand up and slap him across the face. I clenched my fists on the table and closed my eyes. Taking three deep breaths, I opened them back up to find Arturo’s gorgeous eyes looking directly at me.

A frown flashed on his face, his eyes darting quickly between Maxim and I. It was clear he could tell there was something going on between us. Only a fool wouldn't recognise the signs. And if Arturo- a complete stranger - could figure it out, that meant my father could, too.

Alessandro opened his mouth to respond and Arturo tapped him lightly on the shoulder, stopping him. Alessandro leaned over so Arturo could whisper in his ear. After a few seconds, Alessandro pulled back and stared at his son, frowning.

Arturo held his father's gaze, not backing down from whatever he said.

Alessandro's blue eyes narrowed at me before returning to his son. He gave a swift nod and then turned back to face my father.

"An alliance such as ours has never been attempted before. It stands to reason that there will be those not happy with a truce between our people," he said, waving his hand in the air. "To guarantee a strong alliance, and to show we mean business, I suggest we do both."

"Both?!" A voice shrieked.

It took a second for me to realise it was Maxim. My father, Aleksandr and I all slowly turned around in our seats, staring at our father'sSovietnikin disbelief.

Maxim quickly regained his composure and lowered his gaze to the floor. But it was too late. The damage was done. I didn't even have to look at my father to know he was seething. I could hear him grinding his teeth. I watched as he clenched and unclenched his hands, the act showing how desperate he was to wrap his hands around Maxim's throat.

"Yes," Alessandro continued. "Both."

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