Page 64 of Merciless Desires

“It’s not going to end well for you when my father and brothers find out about this betrayal,” Aldo said. “You hustled us.”

“Janero had no idea about my relationship with his daughter,” I said. “That’s on me. He arranged your deal in good faith.”

“You should die for your dishonor,” Aldo said. “You knew there was a deal in motion.”

“A deal I didn’t want,” Cinzia said. “I have nothing against you, but I don’t want to marry you. My father shouldn’t have used me as an incentive for your alliance.”

“It’s not up to you,” Aldo said. “We can still salvage this.”

“How?” I asked. “She doesn’t want to be with you, and she’s pregnant with my child. Do you think I’m going to sit back and not have a say in what happens to them?”

“Dead men don’t have much say,” Aldo said. “Janero, give me the word and I’ll finish this. We can go on with our agreement.”

“What do you suggest we do?” Janero asked. “Take out all three of them?”

“If I have to,” Aldo said. “I’d be doing our world a huge favor by wiping out Romero and his family. It would leave the east coast wide open for you.”

“Papa!” Cin yelled. “Make him stop.”

“With the three of them gone, I can still marry your daughter.” Aldo looked into my eyes. “We can do that tomorrow, and no one will suspect her child isn’t mine. Both of our families will prosper. It’s a win-win for us.”

“Unless I have something else to bring to the table,” I said. “Janero, you’re going to want to hear what my brother Rocco has to tell you.”

“I’m listening,” Janero said.

“Not until you call them off,” Romero said. “We’re not entering negotiations with a gun pointed in our faces. Let’s do this at the table like civilized men. The way you taught Gio and I all those years ago.”

“We’re not civilized men,” Aldo said. “Not all of us.”

“Aldo, stand down,” Janero said. “I’ve got it from here.”

Aldo held up his hand, and his guards backed down. “This isn’t over.” He placed his gun in his waistband. “I’ll tolerate you meeting with them, because I know whatever they have to offer you won’t be as lucrative as what my family has already given you.”

“Don’t be so sure.” I took Cin’s hand. “I’d sell my soul to be with her. Can you say the same?”

“Rocco and I will take the meeting,” Romero said. “Gio, take Cin someplace private and don’t leave her side.”

“I’d like to request someone from the Bilotti security team stay with Gio,” Rocco proposed. “It isn’t you that I don’t trust, Don Malatesta.” Rocco glanced at Aldo and his men. “Romero and I would feel better if we knew that Gio had an ally while we’re meeting.”

“Hmm, Mr. Torrio,” Janero said. “It looks as if you inherited much from your Bilotti heritage, but I can also see a lot of the father who raised you in your demeanor. That’s interesting.”

“Will you grant my request?” Rocco asked. “Then we can get on with what we have brought to the table.”

“One member.” Janero nodded at one of his men. “Who shall it be?”

“Conti,” I said. “I want Conti with me.”

“Very well,” Janero said to his guard. “Bring Conti to Gio.”

“This is ridiculous.” Aldo sighed.

“No, Aldo,” Janero said. “This is me showing respect to these two men who have been nothing but loyal to me since they were young. I have an obligation to hear them out. I also have a duty to protect them from any danger they may be in that I or my daughter may have inadvertently caused. I trust that nothing inappropriate will happen to my guests while they are here.”

“You have my word,” Aldo said.

As much as Aldo might be seething on the inside, Malatesta was the biggest player here and no one could defy his orders. No one except his daughter. She proved she could defy anyone.

Once Conti entered the room, Janero, Rocco, and Romero went into a private location to discuss the territory that Rocco was going to offer in exchange for Cin’s freedom. I wanted to go with them, but being with Cin was more important.

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