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"I don't owe you shit—" Niko stops himself as if he recognizes his words can be taken as an act of war.
I suck in a breath, holding back the anger. It's clear that il Soldato della Morte believes the power and influence he holds means he can say no to me. But he has never met a Don like me, and he will discover that one way or another.
"It's not that I don't appreciate what you have done for my family, Don Conte. There are many ways I’m willing to repay you. But handing over my sister to you is not one of them."
I tilt my head, wondering what he possibly sees is wrong with me. Does he have the balls to tell me to my face? "To what do I owe this disdain from you, then?"
"I wouldn't call it disdain. Not yet, anyway."
"If you're concerned about how she'll be treated, you can rest assured that I am fond of Aria."
He lets out a scoff. "I'm sure you are. You don't think I know how people look at my sister?"
I clench my fists at my side, insulted at the way he would denigrate his sister. "You disrespect Aria with your words. I'm not looking for somebody to fuck, Don Leone. I assure you I can find that other ways?—"
"Then why don't you?"
"Because I want Aria." I take a slight step forward, showing authority. I am no doormat that he will walk over. "I will have her. It's a good match, Niko. We are well-suited. And I know that she wants to be with me."
Niko straightens from where he's been leaning against the desk, asserting his own authority. "Aria doesn't know what she wants. She's too young?—"
"She is nearly as old as your wife."
"That may be, but she's immature. Unworldly."
I stare at him, wondering where he's coming up with this? Yes, there’s an innocence that comes from a sheltered life, but I can’t say she is immature. “Didn't you have her living in Europe? Clearly, she's aware of the world."
"Not all of it."
"She’ll never grow into the woman that she can be if you don't loosen your apron strings. At some point, she's going to do her own thing. You won’t be able to control her forever.”
"By her own thing, are you saying she wants to go from one gilded cage to another? Control of one man to another? If Aria has a passion she wants to pursue, I will support that."
My phone rings, and I inwardly curse at being interrupted. I glance at the caller ID in case it's something important. It's Bruno, my underboss.
I give a nod to Niko. "This is not over yet, Don Leone. But I have to take this call."
"As far as I'm concerned, this discussion is over."
I leave Niko, exiting Donovan's office and finding a quiet place in the foyer where I pick up my call from Bruno. It's late in Italy, so it must be important.
"Bruno."
"You need to get home soon, Boss," Bruno says to me in Italian. “Sabini thinks that when the cat’s away, the mice can play."
Sabini has been a thorn in the Conte Family's side for generations, but Enzo Sabini has taken it to a new level, one that is going to get him killed if he continues to fuck with me.
"You can't handle it?" When I'm gone, Bruno has as much authority as I do, although admittedly, he may not be as ruthless at wielding it.
"You don't want them to think you're hiding or weak."
My jaw tightens. "I'll be home soon. I'll let you know when I'm on the plane."
When I return to Donovan's office, Niko is there with Donovan and the Bratva leader, Liam Rostova. It's odd to see him there, except for the fact that Liam was once Niko's consigliere.
“What have I missed?” I ask as I enter the office. Up until a moment ago, I’ve been friendly with the group.
Niko sneers at me. Donovan rolls his eyes, telling me he’s aware of the situation and apparently thinks like I do. Niko is obsessively protective of Aria.
