Page 21 of Brutal Don

“Andrea is not for sale, neither are any of my people,” Dante said, flashing the other man a thin smile.

He personally disliked Luigi and the rest of the Gambinos immensely, because he frowned down on their inelegant business practices. They weren’t professional the least bit, simply sloppy.

“Let’s cut to the chase. We’re both busy men,” Luigi said after finishing his drink in one gulp.

“If you wish,” Dante said. “Tell me why you wanted this meeting.”

Luigi’s black eyes flashed with anger but his voice came out controlled. “Don’t start with me, boy. I know you’re the one responsible for our last three missing shipments. Do you have any idea how much money we’ve lost?”

“Do you have any proof? If you wish to accuse me of a baseless crime, why don’t you go directly to the police?” Dante asked.

Luigi gripped his glass so tightly, Dante almost expected to see cracks. Luigi finally set the glass down on his desk. Both knew it was useless going to the authorities. The police were on the Massimo Familia’s payroll since his father’s time.

“Luigi, you made a mistake when you thought you could get away with stealing from me,” Dante said softly.

He gave Luigi a quick look. The other Don wore a well-tailored suit. His security team had probably confiscated all of Luigi’s weapons, although Dante doubted Luigi would put up much of a fight at his age.

Dante, on the other hand, always kept a spare gun in his drawer. He had the upper hand in this situation. Luigi understood it too, because he started to sweat profusely under Dante’s stare. Luigi took out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead.

“It was just one shipment of drugs,” Luigi finally said. Dante knew he would break down eventually. He only needed to wait. Luigi continued, “One of my lieutenants acted without my permission.”

Dante remembered Luigi’s smug face at the auction and sighed. Of course, the other Don would put the blame on someone else. He impatiently tapped his fingers on his desk.

“Fine. I’ll make you a trade. Your cache of drugs would be returned in exchange for the woman,”Luigi blurted.

Dante found it interesting Luigi didn’t mention his missing shipment again. Maybe the Don finally became aware of his precarious situation.

“What woman?” Dante asked, feigning innocence.

“Don’t play dumb with me. The toy you stole from my Teddy,”Luigi grumbled.“I know you’re still fond of the bitch but she can always be replaced.”

“Tell me something before we make any sort of deal, Luigi. Why are you so fond of this nephew of yours?” Dante asked. “Weren’t the two of you estranged before?”

“He’s family, what can I say? You know how it is. You also have a troublesome younger brother to look after,” Luigi said.

“It’s more than that, isn’t it? My spy tells me you’ve also provided Ted a generous stipend to live on. He’s like a son to you, more so than your own son Tommaso perhaps?” Dante asked. “I understand Tom doesn’t want to be part of the family business, so you’re trying to groom Ted instead?”

“You’re making assumptions,” Luigi said, face turning red. “Where are you hearing all these baseless rumors? Both my son and nephew are important to me.”

“If you had to choose one, who would you pick?” Dante asked. “Tom or Ted?”

“What nonsense is this? I thought we were here to discuss business,” Luigi said, his voice rising. “Be serious and stop joking around and wasting our time.”

Dante heard a commotion outside. Luigi’s men probably thought their boss was in danger but his lackeys were up against Dante’s team of ex-military trained mercenaries.

“But I’m not joking, Luigi. Early this morning, I deployed two of my strike teams. One went to Ted’s workplace and the other is on standby just outside Tom’s house.”

“You’re lying. Do you think I’ve lived this long to fall for some dumb trick?”Luigi demanded.“I’m leaving.”

“I don’t do tricks, Luigi. You screw me and mine, you pay for the consequences, you understand?” Dante flipped his computer monitor.

Luigi froze, already out of his seat. Dante showed him the video footage of the two teams he mentioned.

The first video showed the outside of Ted’s diner and the second showed the backyard of Tom’s house.

The other Don turned pale.

“No,” Luigi whispered, staring at the two screens.

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