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A few minutes later, I stand when Vincent Margetti walks over to me. I offer my hand, which he takes before we both take a seat.
“You wanted this meeting pretty badly, Luka. What’s going on?”
“Straight to it then?” I ask with a smirk on my face.
“I don’t like wasting time. I like to get straight to the point, and then we can all move on with our lives,” he replies as the waitress returns with two glasses of wine. She sets them in front of us before walking away.
“I’ve heard some things. Things I don’t like coming from inside my famiglia.”
“Such as?”
“Romano is seeking protection for one.”
“From whom?” he asks, leaning forward. He’s interested now.
“Me.” Now he chuckles.
“Why would he need protection from you, Luka?” he asks before picking up his wine glass and taking a sip.
“There are many reasons, but the main one is this upcoming marriage. I’m not really on board with it,” I admit. Vincent and my father go way back but haven’t always seen eye to eye, which is where I come in. We have done deals on the side that worked to our advantage more than once behind my father’s back, and I have built trust with him.
“Why aren’t you on board? I thought the purpose of the marriage was a merger between families?”
“It is, but I don’t like the woman chosen for him. She doesn’t deserve the life he wants for her,” I tell him. Now he laughs.
“Luka, I would think you love the girl if I didn't know any better.”
“And as you very well know, I can’t love anyone.” He nods his head, agreeing with me.
“You’re right there. So what is it you need from me?”
“Protection of my own.”
“You’re the most ruthless killer I know, Luka. Why would you need protection?” I scratch at the stubble on my jaw as I glance around the room before looking back at Vincent. I shift in the seat and lean forward, resting my elbows on the table in front of me.
“I’m going to do things. Things they won’t see coming, and I need to know I have backup when that time comes.”
“What do you plan on doing?” he asks.
“I can’t discuss that. I just need your assurance that when the time comes, I will be protected.” Vincent sits back in his seat and seems to think about that for a long minute. He grabs his glass and takes another drink of his wine before staring directly at me.
“We’ve done business together, and I’ve always trusted you, Luka. Can I trust that this won’t ruin my relationship with your father, no matter how minimal?”
“I can assure you he won’t know anything as long as my plan goes the way I think it will. This is just extra precaution for me.” He nods and motions for the waitress to refill his glass as I sip mine.
“As long as you can give me that assurance, I will have your back on this. Whatever this may be.”
“Thank you.”
“When should I expect this to happen?” he asks. I smile now.
“The wedding day, of course.”
“You aren’t allowing the wedding to proceed?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“The wedding will occur, just not how they think it will. I have it all worked out, and there’s no need to worry about it.”
“And you’re sure this is what you want to do?”
