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He took his time answering, and his head hit the headrest as he relaxed into the leather.
“One day, probably soon, you’ll take over the Romano family. When you have the power, you’ll use it to bring the De Luca family back into the syndicates’ inner circle.”
I had no plans to take over the Romano family. I was next in line, yes, but I didn’t want the throne.
It was the last thing I wanted, but I did want Ariana safe… and I realized that, even though she’d betrayed me, I’d make this sacrifice.
“And if I don’t take over the Romano family?”
“You will.” He turned to face me. “Your uncle is dead, and your dad and remaining uncles are approaching retirement ages. You’re next in the bloodline. Or have you forgotten that?”
My face stayed blank, but my jaw shifted a tick.
He’d riled me up.
“Your discretion and the Vitali discretion in exchange for a seat at the table?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.” I pulled out a pen and thick contract paper with the Romano letterhead and seal at the top. “If word gets out, this agreement will be nullified, and retribution will be sought.”
“Understood.” He watched as my pen moved across the page. “Have you heard of The Benefactor?”
“Why?” My pen stilled, and I didn’t look up from the paper. I didn’t like the idea of another party involved in this agreement. There was already a De Luca and a Vitali. “Are you amending the agreement?”
“No.”
I continued writing. “Then, we have nothing to discuss, De Luca.”
“Your family wanted me here.” He kicked a foot up on the mini fridge, the arrogant little shit. “You may as well treat me like a guest.”
My jaw ticked, irritation flooding my bloodstream. “I can assure you we couldn’t give two shits whether you’re here or not.”
“Oh, we have plenty to discuss, Romano. I received a handwritten invitation to Vincent’s funeral, sent from your territory. Vincent is your capo.”
He nodded to the paper I held. “The letterhead and seal on the invitation was from your family.”
I finally looked up at him, and he pressed on.
“Last I checked, the Hamptons is your territory. This involves you, and if it doesn’t, your territory has more leaks than a used condom. Which is it, Romano? Are you involved or are you a used condom?”
“American politicians and foreign dignitaries vacation in the Hamptons. The Romano family stays out of the Hamptons as a courtesy for the work the politicians and dignitaries on our payroll do. In fact, the only mafioso in the Hamptons is…”
My eye twitched, and I paused and looked down at the contract before handing it to him.
He waited for me to speak.
I didn’t, letting him simmer on that drawn out information, kicking down his arrogance.
When he realized I wasn’t going to continue, he skimmed the contract, took the proffered pen from me, and twisted the cap off the opposite end.
A small blade sat at the end of the pen. Pressing it to his thumb until crimson smeared across the surface, he stamped his thumbprint onto the contract.
More blood to bind us together.
ARIANA DE LUCA
I’d left my things at Bastian’s, but I didn’t bother retrieving them. For the first time in my life, I wanted the few belongings I owned.
