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Nausea roils in my stomach and I have to breathe shallowly so I don't throw up. Stress. It's a thing.
But the last thing I want is to stay in Portland where Atlas is. I shake my head.
"You are a very intelligent woman, Lucia Cattaneo."
Making a sound like a wolf facing its enemy, Atlas surges to his feet and takes a step toward me when Zeus uses my married name. "Do not call her that. She is not a Revello."
"Calm down, Atlas. The man is dead."
But Atlas doesn't look calm. He's one misspoken word from tearing Zeus's office apart.
What is wrong with him? He knows I am a widow. And I am nothis, no matter what he says.
"As I was saying, Lucia, with a brain like yours, you know that negotiation requires compromise. I'm not taking over your club without you offering a smooth transition."
"You talk like you have room to negotiate in this."
"Do not make the mistake of believing I don't."
His words send unpleasant shivers along my nerve endings. I listen to my instincts telling me to take the win, even if it comes with a transition period. I'll just have to avoid Atlas.
Like I did last night. Right. That's going to workreally well.
"Thirty days," I counter.
Zeus's eyes narrow. "Two months."
"Thirty days," I reiterate firmly.
"What happens if I don't pay for your brother-in-law's care? The facility isn't going to hire a lawyer and sue me for it," he points out.
So arrogant, like his brother. But he's right.
"So much for your word," I say sarcastically.
Probably not smart to taunt the criminal boss, but I'm so done with this conversation, and I have run out of fucks to give.
"You can't hold Lenny's care over my head. The facility knows to contact the don if his fees aren't paid." They'll contact me first, but Zeus doesn't need to know that. If I can't pay the fee, then they will contact Don De Luca.
"So?" Zeus asks, clearly unperturbed by the possible outcome.
I shake my head. "Funny. Despite how he used me, I would have said that Atlas had a sense of honor and you by association."
Zeus doesn't look so uncaring now. He's scowling at me. So is Atlas.
I ignore the wounded pride of both men. "If the facility has to contact the don, you will be in default on the terms of our contract. Don De Luca will have legal recourse to take the club from you."
Whether he exercises that recourse is anyone's guess, but one thing I know for sure. Severu De Luca putsla famigliafirst and he won't allow Lenny to end up on the street.
"You're determined to make sure this guy is taken care of." Zeus's gaze fills with speculation.
Atlas is vibrating with emotion, though I'm not sure if it is anger, or something else. "Why is he so important to you?"
"He's my family."
"But he cost you your baby."
I wince, wishing I hadn't told Atlas about what happened. The dirty betrayer doesn't deserve my confidences, but I didn't know that at the time.
