Page 11 of Mafia Kings: Dario

The family business being crime… and murder.

I shook my head. “I’m not worried aboutmeso much as I am about what will happen to my father.”

“If he wasn’t involved in whatever conspiracy thatstronzogot shot for, then your father has nothing to fear.”

I thought back to the ugly man’s words –Tell your father my compliments to the chef– and wondered if I should be worried.

“Your brother is judge, jury, and executioner – correct?” I asked.

Massimo shrugged. “Probably not the executioner.”

Those words sent a cold chill through my heart – but I forced myself to sound angry rather than terrified. “I don’t want him making a snap decision based on rumors or gossip.”

Massimo gave me a small smile that was almost kind. “He is by far the most level-headed man I’ve ever met. Like I said, your father has nothing to fear… if he’s innocent.”

I looked at Massimo for a second more, then composed myself and walked past him down the stairs.

When I got back to the café, my father was sitting in a chair. He looked terrified. No wonder, seeing as Adriano was standing behind him like the grim reaper.

Don Rosolini glanced over at the bundle of clothes in my arms and raised one eyebrow. “She has no bag?”

“She’s never gone anywhere before,” Massimo explained.

“Hm. That’s all you need?” the stranger asked me.

“I want something else before we go,” I said.

“Go and fetch it, then.”

“It’s not a ‘thing.’ I want apromise– that you won’t hurt my father,” I said, surprising myself with my boldness.

That was too much for the Hothead.

“You are not in a position to be demandinganything!”Adriano snapped.

The handsomemafiosoraised one hand, and Adriano fell silent once again.

It was something to behold – they might have been brothers, but it was like a master quieting his dog.

Massimo spoke up. “I already told her that if her father didn’t join the plot against you, he’ll be safe.”

Themafiosolooked at me. “I’ll go one step further. I promise your father will be safeevenif he conspired against me… so long as he admits the error of his ways and tells meeverythinghe knows. AND ifyou go with me willingly. Fair enough?”

I swallowed hard. “…yes.”

I glanced over at my father.

He looked terrified, but he remained silent.

I thought about bringing up what the ugly man had said to me –

Then remembered that these men were in theCosa Nostra.

I wasn’t going to gamble my father’s life on the potentially empty promises of murderers.

“Nothing?” themafiososaid to my father, then turned back to me. “Perhaps he needs a bit more time to reflect. Are you ready?”

I leaned over and kissed my father’s cheek. He grabbed onto my arm.

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