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“Power struggles are usually not very cost-effective. Global alliances make things much easier. And taking control of the trade routes and keeping things under control on a global level is easier when all the big players are in agreement,” Vincenzo said so matter-of-factly as if he was talking about business mergers or banking.
I almost laughed out loud.
I’d forgotten the business side of things. The power you kept up through intimidation, ruthlessness, and pure brutality. But the business side was similar to every other business conglomerate.
I had zero problems torturing and killing people—if they deserved it—had been doing it for Hawk all the time.
Maybe all those special assignments Hawk gave me were just his way of preparing me for this?
I glared at him some more. And the bastard just shrugged.
But business? I had zero interest in the business.
“So, organized crime nowadays is actually a monopoly—and you’re colluding?”
I couldn’t believe it, and here I thought it was all about who killed whom and who was more brutal than the next guy.
“Don’t get me wrong. These meetings”—Vincenzo made a circle with his hand—“are very few and far between. We’re not talking about every single shitty little thing that goes wrong. And this truce doesn’t translate to our day-to-day business.”
I shook my head. “So, under different circumstances, this would end up in a Mexican standoff?”
All the other guys nodded. Actually, they looked excited at the prospect. “Doesn’t mean this meeting couldn’t end in one. But since Hawk invited us so nicely, I guess we should listen to what he has to say,” the Irish one said.
Hawk shook his head. “Gabriele will go back and take over as the head of his family. And he might need some help to do just that. I think we’re all in agreement that having someone as unstable as Fausto Falcone as the head of the most influential Italian family might create some bumps in the road we all could do without.”
Roman Zotov looked me up and down. “Seeing him, I’m thinking he will last an hour after touchdown; who’s taking the bet?”
I ground my teeth.
Being underestimated was usually my advantage. But the dismissive way turned my blood into ice.
I envisioned wrapping my arm around his neck and snapping it.
Hawk shot me a glare.
I relaxed. Like it or not, Zotov was probably right about my time of death, though.
“I’m giving him a solid 24 hours. I like a good underdog story,” Alvarez said.
“Five,” old Signore Salvini said.
“Three,” Vincenzo chimed in and shot me a lopsided grin.
Great, not even my former best friend had any confidence in my survival skills.
At least my brother remained silent.
“He might be able to expand his lifespan if he has the right strategic partners in place to ensure his safe arrival.” Hawk glared at Vincenzo, who stared down at his feet.
“Why would you want to go back in?” Vincenzo asked, his face serious.
I sighed, then looked first at Hawk and then at Cristo. This was decision time.
In or out.
In.
“To protect my family.”
