Page 61 of Stolen Hearts

Michael nods. “Yes, along with the Barone, Amato, and Marchetti families. But the Commission operates much like your own Council of Clans,” he says, nodding to me. “Or the Russian Bratva High Council. It’s not a blood pact. We all simply happen to be the five biggest families, so we share information and have agreed not to go to war with each other. That’s all.”

I look him in the eye. “What’s your sense on current events?IsMassimo going to make something of this?”

He shakes his head. “Unfortunately, I don’t know. His father was a real piece of work and frankly he would have. The son, I don’t know so well just yet. I’m sorry. That’s all I can say for now.”

He stands.

Guess that’s meeting adjourned.

After we all shake hands again, only Michael and Vincent leave. Dante smiles a calculating smile and clears his throat. “Mr. Drakos, I wonder if I could have a moment alone with just Mr. James and myself.”

Ares glances at me and shrugs. “Hey, it’s his kingdom now. I’m just the brother-in-law.”

Ares smirks at me. I try my best not to remember the sight of his sister’s pussy this morning through her almost transparent panties.

When he’s gone, Dante sits back in his chair across the table from me and steeples his fingertips.

“We’ve met before, I believe.”

I chuckle. “I think you helped me carry my former boss out of the back door of your club with a knife embedded in his side.”

As in, the night Cillian and Una met.

Hell of a first date.

He grins. “That would be the time, yes.” He sighs. “Mr. James—”

“It’s Castle.”

He lifts a brow, his lips curling. “Youarea king now, you know. You might want to get used to the titles and formalities.”

“I’ll have to work on that. What did you want to talk about?”

Dante nods slowly. “I have bad news and good news for you. Which would you like to hear first?”

“Let’s go with the good.”

He frowns. “It actually works better if I start with the bad.”

“Then by all means, Mr. Sartorre.”

“Massimo knows about Paris.”

I’m no novice when it comes to hiding my emotions. And I’ve got a perfectly practiced poker face. But inside, something explodes. A fire roars.

And my first fucking thought is of Callie.

And her safety.

I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. When I open it, I frown. Shit, it’s the new one Cillian gave me.Myphone isn’t on me. It’s back at the house. And when I scroll through the new one, I quickly realize that “pretty much everyone’s” numbers that Cillian already programed in does not include Callie’s.

I frown as I raise my eyes back to Dante.

“I’m sorry, whataboutParis?”

Dante chuckles darkly and leans forward, resting his elbows on the tabletop.

“Mr. James, look at my face. Do I look like a fucking idiot?”

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