Page 127 of Craving Danger

Franco

When Renzo and the others follow me into the room, Miro’s eyes dart between us from where he’s tied to a chair.

With Samantha back at the office, I had the guys come over so we could put our plan in motion.

“I can see why he isn’t the head of the Slovak mafia,” Angelo mutters. “Why did he piss himself?”

Miro might be older than Ivan, but he doesn’t have the balls to run a criminal organization.

I let out a sigh. “Because he’s shit scared.”

“We didn’t even slap him around,” Renzo mutters.

“Let’s do this,” Damiano orders.

I hold out my hand, and Marcello passes me Miro’s phone. When I move closer to Miro, he starts to breathe faster, his eyes growing wide with fear.

“What’s the password for your phone?” I ask.

“T-three, nine, f-five, five, t-t-two,” he stammers.

I unlock the device, and checking the contacts, I find Ivan’s number and press dial.

I put the call on speakerphone as I move to stand behind Miro.

“Bál som sa!” Ivan snaps.

“Your brother is a little preoccupied,” I mutter.

“Ivan!” Miro shouts, which earns him a slap against the head from me.

“Quiet until you’re permitted to speak,” I growl.

There’s silence for a moment, then Ivan asks in a thick accent, “Who is this?”

“Really? You don’t even want to take a guess?” I say in a mocking tone.

“Vitale?”

“Bingo,” Dario chuckles.

“Is my brother alive?” Ivan barks.

“Yes, and he’d like to say hello.” Pulling my gun from behind my back, I tap Miro’s shoulder with the barrel. “Tell your brother how well we’re treating you.”

“G-good. T-they treat me w-well.”

“What do you want?” Ivan demands.

“A meeting,” I inform him. “I think it’s time we talk face-to-face.”

“I’m not meeting the Cosa Nostra. I’m not that stupid.”

“Enough men have died,” I mutter. “This is between you and me. We’ll fight old-school. No weapons.” I press the barrel into Miro’s neck, and it has him whimpering, then I continue, “If you win, you get Castro and Diaz. If I win, I kill your brother. I think it’s fair.”

“What about the others?” Ivan asks.

Damiano steps forward. “A deal is a deal. We won’t interfere.”

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