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“Once or twice,” he agrees. “Now, tell me the plan.”
“The plan is simple. A good old-fashioned threat will do the trick when it comes to Sebastian. He’s the least of my problems right now.”
“Let me guess. You’re going to threaten him with a closely guarded secret of his. It’s the only thing that’ll work on a man like Sebastian.”
The look in his eyes is mischievous and annoying. I let the file in my hand fall on my desk as I observe the brown-haired man sitting across from me.
“You know,” I state.
“Of course I know. Information is the same as money, Nico. And I happen to be a very wealthy man.”
“If you have such a clear understanding about things, then what are you bothering me for?” I ask, slightly irritated now.
I’m glad he’s at least not aware about the situation with Camila and her husband. That’s a secret I can’t afford to expose until I’m officially Don. It could lead to a lot of problems if too many people find out about it. For now, I have to keep it under wraps, biding my time until I’m in a position where no one in the outfit will be able to hurt me.
“I told you, we’re friends,” Adrian says, a little more forcefully than is necessary.
My eyes meet his hazel ones. I’m not sure why he cares so much about such a ridiculous concept, but I decide to give him some leeway. After all, he has been a huge help to me over the past couple of weeks.
“All right, friend,” I state. “Any chance I could get you to leave me alone now?”
He smiles before getting to his feet. “Your enthusiasm could use some work, Nico. But we’re getting there.
He throws me a little backward wave as he walks out of my office. There’s finally peace and quiet, which I’ve been craving all evening. I pick up the file once again, poring over the information we have on the known members of the Chicago Bratva. It’s all Vlad has been able to dig up in the past couple of days, and while it’s not a lot, it’s a start.
They might want to strong-arm me into making a decision, but that’s not how I work. I won’t be dancing to their tune until I’m absolutely sure they don’t plan to stab me in the back. The one thing I can’t stand is betrayal.
CHAPTER 13
AURORA
We’re having dinner.
Myself, Nico, and Sebastian, like one happy family. The scene is reminiscent of the past. Back when I was younger, my father would take his seat at the head of the table. Valerio was always at his right. Lucia and I would be together and Nico was always there too, although he rarely ate with us. He would stand silently at the back of the room, closer to the wall, watching over us. He was my guard then, but he was also my friend.
And now he’s the one seated at the head of the table. His efforts to get there are laudable, no doubt about it. And it suits him. He’s always been a king. He knew it, I knew it, my father knew it, everyone fucking knew. It was only a matter of time until it came true.
Sebastian stabs a fork into the steak on his plate, each movement a clear display of anger. I know he’d rather be anywhere else than seated here at the table with us. But when Nico and I arrived earlier today to move back in, he surprisingly didn’t protest.
I’m pretty sure he’s planning something. He didn’t even fight Nico for the spot at the head of the table. Right now, he’s seated opposite me as we eat our food.
“Would you like a new set of cutlery, zio?” I ask sweetly when Sebastian drops the knife and fork on the table, the noise clanging through the near-empty dining hall.
He looks up at me, brown eyes softening slightly. Contrary to what it might seem, I actually like my uncle. I’ve known him since the moment I was born. He was my father’s shadow, his best friend, and his right-hand man. And I know he loved me and Lucia like his own daughters.
He also blindly followed Valerio’s orders for most of his life and he ignored us, just as our father did. So yes, while he might be the closest thing I have left to a father with Valerio dead, I have no qualms about going against him and helping Nico get to the throne. Because that’s where he’s meant to be. And if we’re being honest, Sebastian has always been a follower and not a leader.
“I’m fine, cara. I don’t have much of an appetite anyway, considering the present company,” he says, shooting Nico a spiteful look.
Nico ignores him, his expression at ease as he takes a bite of his steak while simultaneously checking something on his phone. I look back at my uncle.
“Careful how you talk to my fiancé, zio,” I say gently in warning.
“Yes, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that, Aurora. What exactly is he using to threaten you into this match? You can tell me. You know I’ll protect you.”
That’s laughable. While a part of me is sure that Sebastian cares about me. I know without a doubt that with my father gone, the only thing he has left is his own self-interest. Which is honestly understandable. He spent half his life taking Valerio’s orders and being at his beck and call. With Valerio dead, he must want to make a name for himself. Which is good for him.
But going against Nico is a mistake.
