Page 51 of Little Mouse

I don’t react to the threat and give Dante a quick signal with my hand not to do anything when I see him stiffen ever so slightly out of the corner of my eye. “You know, it takes a man with some foolish ideals to think he can threaten another don without inciting a war. After all, you, Giovanni, are not a don, as much as you want to be. So I will only tell you once. Do not threaten me, especially when we both know that should I decide to kill you, I’d be within my rights and not even your brother would lift a finger to save you. Are we clear?” I pour every ounce of authority I have into my words, and I see the rage in Giovanni’s eyes because of it.

It never hurts to remind those of their place, and Giovanni is about to learn some hard lessons. He may make a move on his brother, but he won’t be doing it with me. And if he is stupid enough to try, he’ll lose everything and then some.

He opens his mouth to reply, but then a voice behind me says, “Giovanni, it’s a surprise to see you here.” I bite back a smirk when I turn and see Leonardo and Marco standing there. Leonardo is good at hiding his emotions, but his son is far from as skilled. Because the surprise on Marco’s face is quickly replaced by anger and suspicion. “Ah, Nico, I had no idea you and Giovanni were meeting this evening,” Leonardo says smoothly as he extends his hand to shake mine. I don’t miss the look he sends his brother.

“An impromptu meeting. You look well, Leonardo. Marco,” I say with a curt nod, before dismissing him. Considering that Marco is older than me and feels I should be beneath him, I’m sure he’s not pleased with it. It takes every ounce of control not to kill them all for the abuse they inflicted on Gia, but I tamp it down.

“Yes, Nico and I were talking about mutual things that could benefit both our families,” Giovanni says smoothly, standing and gesturing for his brother and nephew to join us. Both oblige, and since the booth is so large, there is plenty of space, though that puts Marco close enough to me for me to see he’s got the makings of either a bruise or a large hickey on the side of his neck peeking out from the collar of his crisp white dress shirt.

“Nico, I heard of your achievements in doubling production in your area,” Leonardo says conversationally after giving a quick order to the waiter. Marco does the same, but comes off more rude than brisk. It seems he still has much to learn from his father. I don’t reply, instead, I incline my head slightly. “It seems you and your father ran things differently, but it’s clear he taught you a few things,” Leonardo continues.

“I suppose. I hear you have been having some trouble, Leonardo. Giovanni mentioned your daughter is missing. A surprise since I didn’t know you had one, but I can understand how you would worry about getting her back.”

Leonardo’s face is cool as a cucumber, though he does give a dramatic sigh. “I’m sure you can understand, Nico, why I’ve let few know of her existence. It was this exact thing that I didn’t want to happen should anyone learn of her. Thankfully, my sons are hot on the bastard’s trail.”

“Glad to hear it. As I’ve already told Giovanni, please let me know if you need any extra resources in securing her.”

“Appreciate that. At first, I thought it was a bit of rebellion and she ran off. You know how women can be all flighty with hardly a brain in their head,” he says with a wave of his hand. “But it was clear she didn’t leave with anything, and that’s not like her. She loves her shopping.”

“Women do love to shop,” I agree. “And no signs of a struggle? Nothing on the cameras?”

“Nothing,” Leonardo says grimly. I can feel Marco regarding me shrewdly, no doubt trying to figure out if I’m lying. Unluckily for him, I’m excellent at letting people see only what I want them to. “Whoever grabbed her certainly knew what they were doing. But they weren’t counting on my sons,” he says proudly, clapping Marco on the shoulder. “Never doubt a boy’s dedication to his family.”

“Those bastards won’t know what hit them when we get ahold of them,” Marco boasts. “No one touches our sister and gets away with it.” He looks at me directly, almost as if giving me a warning. Foolish of him, but I merely arch a brow and regard him.

“All the best to you then, and again, let me know if I can be of assistance. How is your wife, Leonardo? Last I heard, she was spending your money like it is water.”

Leonardo gives a low chuckle. “Carmen does love to shop. But she’s the perfect wife. Took me a few tries to get to her, but she gives me no trouble.”

“I was just saying to Nico that it will soon be time for him to take a wife,” Giovanni interjects with a pointed look at his brother.

“A man must carry on his legacy,” he agrees. “You must have your eyes on someone then, do you, Nico?”

“And as I told Giovanni, I’m not in the market for a wife at the moment unless someone catches my eye that I feel will fit the role perfectly.” Now to see if Leonardo catches on to what Giovanni is looking to accomplish out of mentioning that.

By the thoughtful look in Leonardo’s eyes, it seems that he might be connecting the dots. Unfortunately for him, I have no interest in merging with them. After all, I’m going to be taking apart their empire and taking it over completely.

Finally, Leonardo says, “You are young. Some beautiful girl will catch your eye. I have heard there are many families in Sicily that are looking to make alliances with families over here, so perhaps one of them will interest you.”

“Perhaps.” I look over at Marco. “And you, you’re not in the market for a wife?”

Marco shrugs. “Haven’t seen one that interests me. I’m selective,” he says with a sly grin. “Can’t have my future wife looking like a hideous hag now, can I?”

“No, I suppose not,” I say noncommittally. I glance at his neck and then back at him, careful to keep my expression blank, but there is no missing my hint. “Something tells me your interests run toward a particular type of woman, so I wish you all the best.”

Marco doesn’t react, but I see his hand itching to reach up and feel his neck. All the signs to show me that bruise is indeed from someone getting a little too eager with their teeth. Now to find out who.

“I like ‘em feisty. So much more fun when you want to break them, eh?” He smirks. “If you ever need some pointers, Nico, you just let me know. I’ll happily help you out. Got a few tricks up my sleeves for the ones that resist a little harder.” He gives me a cool wink, and I resist the urge to punch him in the face. The image of Gia’s scars flashes in my mind, and I fight to remain calm when all I want to do is clench my fist and let it fly into his pretty boy face.

“Sir,” Dante says in a low voice, pulling my attention. I turn my head back to him, and he whispers, “Just as you suspected, Sir, De Luca men were captured trying to get in through the back gate at the house. They were not Giovanni’s men, but Leonardo’s. And one of Leonardo’s sons. They’re being held for questioning in the dungeon.”

I give a curt nod. Then I turn back to the men across from me and give them a dark look. “Gentlemen, it seems we have a problem. My men have just captured multiple De Luca soldiers, along with one of your sons trying to get into my home.” Then, without warning, I pull the gun from my back and press it to Marco’s temple, all while staring hard at Leonardo and Giovanni. I hear a couple of grunts as Dante easily knocks out Giovanni’s men. Leonardo and Marco were stupid to leave their men outside, but I’m sure Dante can handle them as well. “Care to explain?” I continue, calm and collected. “Or would you like to lose multiple sons tonight? And touch either of your guns, and you will lose one before it’s even drawn.”

Leonardo’s face is stone cold, and Giovanni’s is much the same, but I don’t miss the surprise flit through his eyes. He didn’t know anything about this plan. The question is, was that on purpose or spur of the moment? Something tells me Leonardo isn’t as in the dark about Giovanni’s plans as Giovanni likes to think. Thankfully, both men heed my advice and don’t move to take out their guns. “Put the gun down, and let’s talk this out,” Leonardo orders.

The look I give him lets him know what I think about that idea. “I’m losing my patience. You have three seconds before I blow his brains out, and Dante will kill you both before either of you will be able to retaliate. So, I suggest someone gets talking and fast.”

“It was me,” Marco grits out. “I sent them to your house. My father and uncle didn't know anything about it.”

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