Page 22 of His Deadly Lies

The meeting place is at the Balestra compound in a smaller guest cottage that Edward has always chosen for these types of business meetings. Not exactly neutral ground, but better than the main house. He’s still in control here without giving any of his competitors/partners a glimpse into his private life. It’s a smart move and one I might have done should I be in charge.

Much to my everlasting chagrin, the Accardis are already here.

I saw their discrete black SUV when our driver pulled into the circular way.

I straighten my back, shoulders throne back, and Ricardo chuckles and grabs me by the shoulder, squeezing. “Relax, old man. We’re gonna be fine,” he mutters.

“Cards close to the chest.” It’s my last, under-the-breath warning to Ricardo before our man in front pulls open the door for us, and we stalk inside, his arm falling back to his side.

The distance between us increases, and I purposely fall back behind him, wearing a snarl that keeps most people at a distance.

The main room of the guest cottage opens up to soaring ceilings with wooden beams crisscrossing the vaults.

Ricardo leads the way into the boardroom at the back of the house, with large windows looking out on the rear lawn of the Balestra compound. Their little slice of paradise on the outskirts of the city with absolutely perfect lake views.

It’s the kind of property that people covet, and everyone wants for their own. The old-growth trees there speak to the love that goes into the property.

A desk with live edges dominates the space, and everything in here is done to evoke sensations of being in an old-time gentleman’s parlor. The wallpaper is dark and masculine, with thick furniture and wide plank wooden floors.

The imposing figure of Hector Accardi swims into view immediately. He’s already sprawled in a wingback chair with his hands loose on the arms and his one leg crossed over the other.

Surprise, surprise.

He went for the highest back like a king in a goddamn castle and probably got here fifteen minutes early to make a point.

“Do you know what this is about?” Hector asks Ricardo the moment the door to the boardroom closes behind us. Ignoring me entirely.

Ricardo shrugs and shakes his head. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

He’s the arrogant playboy heir, the role he’s been trained to play so well, so perfectly.

Hector raises his eyebrows, his fingers beating out a strange tempo on the chair. “No one has said anything to you?”

“Why would they?” Ricardo chuckles. “We all know the routine. I’m not about to prod the snake, so no, I don’t know, and I sure as shit didn’t ask.”

Hector nods. His syndicate is the type that does not care how low they have to stoop in order to get ahead. Where there are some things the Vittorios will not do, the Accardis gladly step in and take up the slack. The I-hurt-puppies kind of people you should stay away from.

All except Hector.

Even though he’s the head of the organization, he seems to have a soft heart, a kind heart.

One of these days, his soft heart will make it so that someone is cleaning his corpse off the street.

I gaze around the room like I’m a paranoid doctor in a psych ward, checking the exits and making sure that everything is in its place. My back is up. I need a drink.

We wait only a few minutes, the silence strained before the doors open again, and Daddy Balestra and his princess walk inside the room. They’ve brought no guards with them.

Very smart. Or far too confident.

And although Mia looks a tad paler than usual, she’s walking without a limp, and her pantsuit and tailored jacket disguise her bruises perfectly.

These meetings are the only time all three leaders are in the same room at the same time. If we hadn’t signed a treaty, it wouldn’t be a smart move. And despite the treaty, I’m still worried about so many big personalities and the chance for eruption.

I keep my attention off of Princess Mia and shift my arms behind my back, clasping my wrist like a good bodyguard. The big shoulders make me a scary bastard, and it’s one thing I’m not afraid to use as a weapon.

This is an engagement announcement. There better not be any blood spilled today. Especially not when I’m wearing my nice jacket.

Ricardo loses his smile at their arrival.

---