Page 120 of Single Malt Drama

Nicolina

My breath caughtin my throat. Marco had made a mistake, a big one. The capos hadn’t agreed to allow his brothers to leave the mafia. With these men, silence did not mean agreement.

Before I could warn him, he flashed me a quick grin. “Darling, I feel as though I’m forgetting something. Wasn’t there someone else your father wronged?”

Alessio and Maria!I loved this man. Even though he was juggling more than humanly possible, he’d remembered them. “Yes, as a matter of fact there is. He ruined the reputations of two people by accusing them of stealing. He should make a public apology to the Grassos.”

My father narrowed his eyes.

Tommaso Abruzzo nodded. “Considering his crimes, I believe that is a reasonable request.”

“I want you to think of them happily spending your money every day of your miserable life.” It was petty, but I couldn’t resist hitting him where it hurt—in the wallet.

Marco cleared his throat and tightened his jaw as if he expected an argument. “Pietro Lazio has stolen millions from everyone at this table. We all know what happens to thieves.”

I smirked remembering my father saying something similar the day before.

He continued to glare at me, but I held my chin high. I refused to allow him to intimidate me ever again.

“The first rule in our Code of Honor states we don’t hurt women. Doing so is a higher crime than stealing, or even breaking the Omertá. Personally, I think death is too good for him. I prefer a sentence that is more fitting to his other crimes.” Marco motioned to Vittoria to drive home his point.

Abruzzo’s lips curled into a mean smile. “What do you have in mind?”

“I took the liberty of speaking with an Abbot. He’s agreed to shelter Lazio for the remainder of his days…in exchange for an annual donation. It’s a small monastery, but after hearing what Lazio did to his wife, the Abbot is rather enthusiastic about teaching him the ways of our Lord and Savior.”

I covered my mouth to hide my smile. I had never been prouder of Marco. He had every right to call for my father’s execution, but he’d managed to keep his hands clean while extracting justice.

“You can’t be serious!” Pietro stood and kicked his chair against the wall.

The other capos ignored the tantrum and spoke amongst themselves.

Pietro continued to shout obscenities about his lying wife, Marco, and me, his traitorous daughter—all of which seemed to make their decision easier.

Salvo walked to a door on the far side of the room and spoke to the guy in the cheap suit who’d shown me to the ceremony.

A few seconds later, armed men came into the room and pulled Lazio out kicking and screaming like an overgrown toddler.

“Great. If there’s nothing else, I’m taking my wife home so she can spend some time with her mother.” Marco squeezed my hand.

I had no clue where home would be, but I needed to get out of there and hold my husband.

“Please, I’d like to come too.” Sophia Abruzzo went wide-eyed as if she’d realized the absurdity of her request. She had, after all, tried to have three generations of Marchionnis killed, and played a part in Joe and Rebecca’s murders.

My mother sighed as if someone had handed her a heavy load. She’d only just returned to find her family split in two. I couldn’t force her to choose between me and her brother and nieces.

Marco’s expression darkened.

I shot him a quick look before turning to Vittoria. “We’ll stay here tonight. I’m exhausted, and I’m guessing Marco hasn’t slept in days. You can visit with your family while we get some rest.”

“Thank you, that would be lovely.”

Marco held his hand out to me. “Let’s go.”

I had a feeling he absolutely hated the idea of staying at the estate overnight, but we both had done things for our families the other didn’t like.

Joe Marchionni cleared his throat. “Marco, they didn’t agree or disagree with your prior request. Don’t walk out of here without their word.”

I mentally groaned. I’d forgotten to warn him.

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