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“Of course,” I replied, keeping my voice calm and steady. I wasn’t afraid of dying. Far from it. I had grown up knowing death was natural and an everyday risk in my world. It was what I would be leaving behind that scared me more. My family. Liv. I was their protector and without me, who knows what would become of them.
“Do you have the address and details of the meeting point to inform the commission? And the photos?” I asked and Max nodded, tapping his rucksack that was hanging over his arm.
I squeezed Liv tighter into my body before pulling her head back from my chest and kissing her lips swiftly.
“I’ll see you tonight, bambola. Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone,” I warned with a grin. I was trying to keep the mood light but the intense worry in her eyes was evident.
“Please come back,” she whispered, and I kissed the tip of her cute little nose.
“Always,” I said seriously, holding her gaze as her eyes watered. I needed to leave before those eyes made me change my mind about what I was about to do. Pulling her arms away from my body gently, I walked away leaving her standing with Camilla as I strolled out the mansion with Max and Angelo. The Lamborghini was already parked out front, ready for us. I was going to take my fastest and most garish car to make a point. People would see it. People would recognise it.
Max grabbed my shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze as I nodded to him in understanding. We didn’t need words. Just as I was about to climb into the passenger's side, I paused.
“Max?” He turned slowly and held my gaze. “If I don’t make it back…”
“I know. I will protect this family with my life. Olivia included. You have my word.”
I nodded once and climbed in before Angelo ignited the engine, roaring it to life.
∞∞∞
As we pulled up outside the desolate nightclub, I scanned the outside of the rundown building and assessed my surroundings. It was broad daylight so there was hardly anyone about this side of town that was normally hustling and bustling as soon as the sun set. Graffiti along the walls outside and the metal shutters signalling the club was closed gave off a hostile vibe.
Angelo and I both sat in silence, our eyes, ears and bodies on high alert, searching for any possible danger. Nothing. We waited a few more minutes before a side door opened down the alleyway to the right of the building and a large, muscular man stepped out the heavy door, nodding our way.
“You know the plan? We go into together but if it’s a trap you get yourself out and back to Max immediately. I have the alarm watch on so he will know you are on your way. That is an order, Angelo. No trying to be the hero, got it?” I narrowed my eyes at my most loyal soldier and he nodded professionally. We climbed out the car and made our way towards the Leone Soldier who put his hand out to pause us as soon as we came near.
“Niente armi. (No weapons,)” he spoke firmly.
I gave him my most menacing glare. “Non sono uno sciocco. Non entrerò senza la mia pistola. (I am not a fool. I will not be entering without my gun.)”
The man and I stood in a standoff as I waited for him to realise I was not going to back down. Slowly he moved away from the entrance allowing us to pass through into the gloomy corridor. It stank of sweat and stale alcohol as Angelo and I were guided down some stairs to an underground level. When we reached the end door, the soldier knocked once before opening it wide and gesturing for us to enter.
“Giovanni Buccini, the one and only. How wonderful it is to finally meet you,” a deep, swarve voice came from the darkness of the room. There was only one light swinging from the ceiling, causing a dim spotlight over a metal table in the centre of the room. I narrowed my eyes, keeping my senses on high alert as I tried to make out how many men were in the room. Two.
“What is with the dramatics? Do we not live in the 21st century,” I stated as I lifted my hand and flicked on the light switch next to me, flooding the room with artificial light.
There on the other side of the table were the two men I had despised all my life. The Boss, Riccardo Leone and his son, underboss, Lorenzo. They were both leaning back lazily in their designer suits staring back at me. Riccardo had a wicked smirk plastered on his face but Lorenzo was showing me just as much hate and hostility that I am sure I had written all over my features.
“Apologies, my son likes to create a mood,” Riccardo laughed lazily as Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed on me.
“I am more of a get the fuck on with it type,” I replied, walking up to the table and pulling out a chair opposite them.
“I can respect that,” Riccardo replied, opening his suit jacket and delving his hand inside. I tensed, hand moving to my gun as I kept my eyes fixed on his movements. When he pulled out two cigars, I relaxed ever so slightly. I still wouldn’t trust that this wasn’t an ambush until I was back out that door, driving away unharmed. “Would you care for one?”
I nodded, leaning forward and taking the freshly cut cigar from him. A soldier walked over to me and held out his Zippo lighting the end as I puffed at it.
“As lovely as this is. I don’t think you asked me here to share a cigar and a whiskey Leone.”
“I am pleased to see you are a man of your word. Only one soldier in presence and I can assume your Boss is in the dark about this little meeting?” He raised one eyebrow as he puffed on his own brown stick.
“Currently yes. Although the commission is aware of my whereabouts in case you were thinking of not keeping your word.”
His eyes danced with amusement as he nodded. “You are a sensible man, Giovanni. Just like your father.”
My jaw tensed and for a moment I wondered if he could possibly know.
“I always liked Vincenzo. He would have made a fine Boss and he was a fair man. Did he ever tell you that we had a drink once?”
