Page 26 of Vow

Nothing about this was easy.

“Dante wants a peaceful resolution,” Giovanni said, finally finishing with his plate. He pushed the dish away as he glanced up, adding, “So, I don’t know how that factors into the John and Siena thing, but not in any way that ends well for them, I imagine.”

To say the least …

“A peaceful resolution would be best,” Andino agreed.

From the perspective of a boss, he understood the need. As a man who had been wronged by the Calabrese, and knew just how much damage they had already done, he figured burning them to the ground would be the better choice.

Yeah.

Not easy at all.

“She makes John happy,” Lucian repeated.

“I’ll keep my word,” Andino replied.

A look passed between him and his uncle, silent and contemplative. An agreement without either of them actually saying a thing. Gio cleared his throat, and sat back in his chair to fold his arms over his chest, but he didn’t add anything to the conversation.

“Dante intends to make peace,” Lucian said.

“Well, he can try.”

Andino didn’t intend to let that happen; at least, not in the way his uncle wanted. There were things he would never bow to—the Calabrese was one of them.

His father frowned. “Dante might take that as—”

“Dante doesn’t have to know,” Andino said vaguely. “Not now, anyway.”

Gio let out a sigh. “This is not how Marcellos work.”

“If it isn’t how we work,” Andino countered, “then this breakfast never should have happened. You shouldn’t have invited me here. And we shouldn’t have agreed to move forward with our own plans in the first place. But here we are, and it needs to happen.”

“It does,” Lucian agreed.

No, Dante wouldn’t like it. For now, Andino simply needed to worry about other things, and in the meantime, keep his uncle happy. When it was all said and done, what could Dante really do about Andino’s plans for the Calabrese?

Nothing.

“All right,” Lucian said, glancing at his phone. “I need to head out.”

“You’re going to see John, yeah?”

Lucian nodded. “I’m due a visit. Or at least, see Leonard. The man keeps me informed as much as he can.”

“Say hello for me,” Andino replied.

“I will.”

It was only once Lucian was gone from the private room that Gio picked up his coffee cup, and took a sip. He turned his gaze on his son in that contemplative way again. Andino fully expected his father to ask about the Dante issue again, but the man surprised him.

And not in a good way.

“You’re messing with Haven again,” his father said. “You need to be careful.”

Andino downed the rest of his coffee, and stood from the table. “How about you let me handle that, Dad.”

“But are you?”