“So, I’ve heard,” I didn’t move from my position; in fact, I leaned back further. “That’s a lot of money, Uncle, even for our coffers. You must be truly desperate.”
Some inner conflict played out over his face, a rare glimpse behind the mask he wore.
Should he kill me now and be done with it or call the guards to capture me, then stage a spectacular execution?
Decisions, decisions.
Giovanni was diminished by this room, by the towering bookshelves, the heavy drapes framing the city and the Grand Canal, the same faint scent of ink and leather—my father’s cigars—that he would never fully manage to erase.
“I’m glad you are here, Niece.” He recovered from his initial shock, smiling as if this was a social call. “Perhaps the time has come to clear the air between us.”
Perhaps the time has come for me to stab you in the heart, but sure, let’s play nice for now.
“I would agree,” I said blandly, using my knife to magnanimously point to the seat opposite me—the one reserved for lesser royals and penitents.
My uncle’s expression tightened with irritation when he realized I wasn’t budging. After an internal debate, he sat, looking as if he’d swallowed poison.
“Is this where you apologize for killing me? Because if so, I’m all ears.” I looked at him expectantly. “Make it a good performance; I have high standards.”
His smile widened. “You always did love to pretend you were in control. Even when you were little. Sadly, you are about to be proven wrong, dear nice.”
Boots clattered down the hallway, then soldiers crowded through the doorway.
“And here I thought we’d have a family reunion.” I shook my head. “Too bad, we have so much to catch up on.”
Hands seized my arms, wrenching them back hard. I didn’t fight back as they stripped away my weapons, my gun, with practiced efficiency. Of course, they missed a few.
“You really shouldn’t have come here alone,” Uncle said lightly. “But you were always reckless, in addition to all your other failings. And as far as that bounty…”
I pasted a look of shock on my face. “Let me guess, it’s not DiRavello money?”
“Of course not,” he scoffed. “Do you seriously think I’d drain my own coffers when I can raid the council’s? And since I’m the one who caught you, I shall be the one who collects.”
“Nowthere’sa shocker.” I widened my gaze. “Playing both sides for your own benefit.”
“You should learn to keep your mouth shut.” He tilted his head. “The reward was for whether you were dead or alive, though I admit…” His eyes darkened with malice. “You have caused far too much trouble alive.”
Little do you know the trouble I’m causing, you old buzzard.
Silence stretched between us, tight as a wire.
Then I smiled.
“So, kill me, then.” I shrugged. “You’ve already done it once. Perhaps you’ll have better luck the second time around.”
The soldiers tightened their hold, as if waiting instructions, but I didn’t flinch. I kept my eyes on Giovanni, watched the flicker of indecision he couldn’t quite hide.
“No matter your choice, know this,” I went on, my voice steady, “you will lose. We hold all the cards, and you are only bluffing; you just don’t know it yet.”
His lips curved as he nodded to the soldiers restraining me. “Bold words, considering your current position.”
“Position?” I let out a breath that might have been a laugh. “We’ve already won. It doesn’t matter what happens to me now. I’m irrelevant in this scenario. You’re done, Gio.Done.”
I leaned forward as far as they’d let me, testing their strength. “We have the Basin,” I said quietly.
The soldiers went still, knowing they’d just heard information that could get them dead.
Giovanni straightened, expression serene, tensionseeping out of his shoulders as he rose to his feet. “If that is your ace in the hole, then it’s you who holds the losing hand, niece. Take her to La Sala. Lock her up beside the other two prisoners. How goes the hunt for the rest?”
