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“You don’t speak to my woman that way?” I snap, anger brimming in my words.
I keep the gun trained on Caruso as I edge closer to Aurora.
“Free her from the restraints,” I order the guards who are with me.
Caruso and I are stuck in a stare-off until I say, “You have two options. Either you yield to the bratva, or you die today.”
I hear a commotion outside, then I’m surprised as fuck to see Instructor Nikolai and Director Koslov as they appear in the doorway with their guns trained on Emilio Sartori.
“I’m here on behalf of my cousin,” Nikolai says. “You’re outnumbered. Let’s end this war, D’Angelo.”
I tilt my head, and shaking it, I lock eyes with Caruso. “What’s it going to be?”
Aurora drops to the floor, then I feel her grab hold of my leg. Having her cower on the ground rips through my heart, and I place my left hand against the side of her head, pressing her face to my knee.
“Aurora’s mine,” I mutter. “Think of your family, Caruso. Stubbornness and pride will tear you all apart.”
Caruso glances over his shoulder at Emilio, and they have a wordless conversation before Emilio nods.
Aurora’s father turns his attention back to me, then he shakes his head. “I call for a twenty-four-hour truce.”
“Viktor isn’t a patient man,” I say. “Make your decision now.”
Aurora leans against me as she climbs to her feet, and when she tries to move in front of me, I yank her back, growling, “Stay out of this.”
“Father,” she begs. “Please. Don’t make me watch you die.”
A tense minute follows before Caruso says, “What are the terms?”
Nikolai steps forward. “Fifteen percent of your profits, and you swear allegiance to the bratva.”
Caruso shakes his head, and angry, he spits on the floor.
My finger tightens on the trigger. “You’ll still live a life of luxury. Don’t give it all up because you’re fucking stubborn.”
When he still doesn’t give his answer, I add, “You’re up against the bratva and Italian mafia. You knew it was only a matter of time before it came to this.”
The air tenses dramatically, and my breath stalls, every ounce of my attention zeroed in on Caruso.
“I’ll only deal with Viktor,” Caruso demands. His eyes drift over me with disgust. “I don’t talk to mere soldiers.”
Yeah? Soon you’ll have one for a son-in-law, fucker.
Nikolai makes the call, then I hear him say, “Caruso is willing to talk.” He hands the phone to Aurora’s father, and the man’s gaze flicks to his daughter.
Disapproval flashes in his dark eyes before he glances away from her.
I wrap my left arm around her shoulders and press her to my side.
“I demand to keep my position,” he tells Viktor.
The call only lasts a couple of minutes before Caruso ends it. He hands the device back to Nikolai, saying, “A tentative truce has been established.”
“Thank God,” Aurora whispers. She turns, and wrapping her arms around me, she presses her face against my armored vest and breaks down.
With the immediate threat over and Nikolai and Director Koslov taking over, I turn my attention to my woman.
“Where are you hurt.” Pulling out of her tight hold, I check her body, and when I see they’ve pulled three nails off her foot, I let out a string of curses.
