Page 118 of Mafia Kings: Dario

“Because Father never let me pursue it,” Roberto said in irritation. “But Dariois.”

“Lovely,” Fausto sneered, “but you yourself said it could take two years. You still have a significant number of bribes to pay every month – a lot of judges and police captains looking to wet their beaks. Where’sthatmoney coming from?”

“It’s covered,” Roberto said, although he didn’t sound entirely convincing.

“Don’t bullshit me,” Fausto snapped. “I was your father’sconsiglierefor 20 years – I know the financials of this entire operation like the back of my hand. Iknowyou have maybe six months left at your current levels of income. I sent you the Turk so you can prosper and grow. As of right now, you’re withering on the vine.”

Dario’s voice was full of contempt. “So we should bend the knee to some foreign bastard who insults me in my own home? Just because dear old Uncle Fausto knows best?”

“Again,” Niccolo said sharply, “back to the matter at hand. If we’re going to send a message, we need to know who to send it to.”

“It wasn’t the Agrellas or the Turk,” Fausto said with a sniff.

“And how do you knowthat?”Dario asked mockingly. “Did you ask them?”

“Did you ever find out about the Genoan?” Fausto pointed at Lars and me. “The one your Swede killed in her father’s café?”

Niccolo clenched his jaws. “We’re still working on it.”

“Why is she evenhere?”Aurelio snarled as he looked at me. Then he smirked at Dario. “Is she your whore now? Maybe you thought you might want a blowjob halfway through the meeting.”

I flinched at his ugly words.

Dario put his hand on mine before he answered.

“She survived a gunfight in the streets yesterday,” Dario said coldly. “Which is more thanyou’veever done, littleboy.”

Aurelio immediately stood up, furious –

And every Rosolini brother bolted to their feet as well.

Lars even had his hand inside his jacket.

I was terrified, sure that there would be another gun battle –

“STOP!” Fausto roared. “Aurelio, sit DOWN, goddamn you! We’re family, so fucking act like it!”

Aurelio’s face twitched with rage, but he sat back down.

Lars and all the Rosolini brothers did as well – but slowly.

“I talked to Stefano Agrella,” Fausto said. “He swore on his mother’s grave that he had nothing to do with the hit yesterday.”

“So ofcourseyou believe him,” Dario replied sarcastically.

“I’ve done business with the Agrellas for 20 years. I’d know if Stefano was fucking me. He’s not.”

“What about the Turk?”

“I talked to him as well. He says he’s not involved, and I believe him.”

“You’re taking his money,” Adriano sneered. “It’s in your bestintereststo believe him.”

Fausto shot daggers at Adriano. “And it’s inyourbest interest not to open your mouth since you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

Before Adriano could respond, Fausto turned back to Dario. “The Turk is doing business with me, so what possible reason would he have to enrageyou?If he killed Massimo or Valentino – myown blood– he knows I would break off all business dealings with him. Not onlythat,but I’d join you and go to war against him. The Turk is a businessman, first and foremost. There’s no profit in war – he knows that.”

“Unless he could take our territory for himself,” Niccolo said.

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