And what was I thinking? That if he dared try to touch her, I would beat his ass. Christ. I’d never been jealous before.
“Using them to get a foothold into the United States or to simply formally take over the Lorenzo territory, which has been suffering with a family member as the Don who can’t handle the job. You see, my former almost fiancé, Gabriel Lorenzo, was murdered, the act performed by someone from the Savoy clan but fueled by my uncle. That was four years ago. My guess is the Savoys had plans on taking the Lorenzo territory then, perhaps with help of their good friend the Marichetti Don. Ring a bell?”
Rafaela grimaced for a few seconds while walking closer. “You are kidding me.”
“Nope,” Vivian said, popping the p. She had her eyes locked on mine, smirking since she’d been keeping secrets from me. “With Kirill in a coma and me refusing to leave his side, I did a little snooping of my own, discovering a couple photographs with Don Savoy and Don Marichetti together years ago. They seemed chummy. I started going down a trail. Now, some of what I’m suggesting is just that, a suggestion of what could happen, but my uncle is greedy enough and highly competitive. He does not want the Bratva here in New York. But…” Her eyes were twinkling.
“We’re going to need to talk about you keeping secrets from me. That won’t be the case when we’re married.”
“So you’re saying yes?”
The entire room was holding their breath. I couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess we have many things to talk about.”
“What about the Ghost?” Stash asked.
“I think he’s working with one of the Italian families and I suggest the Savoys,” I answered.
“Why?” Kazimir wasn’t convinced.
“Because Kirill and I were supposed to meet. And I think the Ghost made that happen.” Her voice finally held a slight tremor. “Whether or not the Ghost is your brother I don’t know. But you claimed the Marichetti territory. You’re a threat on both sides of the pond.”
Dimitri was obviously impressed, the words spoken in broken Russian offering her praise.
But he didn’t want her to know it.
“Families,” Dante offered. “They are the reason for a huge percent of cold-blooded murder.”
“And revenge,” Kazimir stated. “You think your father will honor the marriage and the alliance?”
“I think he won’t appreciate anyone betraying him,” Vivian offered. “Which I am certain you can prove.”
Chuckling, I lifted my glass in respect to my beautiful soon to be bride. “We both believe the Ghost won’t be able to bypass the opportunity.”
“To seek revenge,” Rafaela sighed. “We can’t allow that to happen, whoever is behind the intended act.”
“Agreed.” Kazimir studied everyone in the room, his last gaze lingering on my face. “But we do this cautiously. And what I said to you a few days ago about Mikhail stands true. If he’s behind this, I will crush him myself. Family is important, but I refuse to allow any member of my family whether immediate or because of affiliation to destroy any of us. Including our new addition. If you’re serious, Vivian. Welcome to the family, but you shouldknow that I will not allow your father or uncle to continue playing a game. If they insist on doing so, I will crush them.”
“All I ask is that you spare my sister. She’s a victim. She still believes in love.”
Vivian’s words haunted me, more so than I cared to admit. I found it difficult to look her in the eye.
Kazimir nodded. “She will be taken care of as if she was one of our own. Now, I guess we have a business meeting to coordinate and a wedding to plan. It would seem our family is getting larger.” While he allowed a wide smile, tension lingered in the room.
We were still playing a dangerous game and one that could end in both violence and death.
But I would protect the woman I couldn’t get out of my system with my life.
Maybe that was what love was all about.
* * *
Vivian
There was something to be said about returning to a familiar place. The sights. The sounds. The smells. Everyone took comfort in being in an environment that presented memories.
Except if the location was inherently evil. That’s the way I considered my uncle’s bar. It might as well be his and in truth, maybe his name was on the deed. I honestly wasn’t certain.
However, the location seemed the perfect choice, at least when I’d initially made the suggestion. Now I wasn’t so certain given there were at least triple the number of soldiers hanging in and around the location.
