Page 140 of Vicious Kingdom

“Reservation for Baldwin,” my voice carried that subtle command that made people scramble to please me.

“Of course, Mr. Baldwin. We’ve been expecting you.” The maître d' bowed slightly, gathering menus bound in supple leather. “Please, follow me.”

We moved through the dimly lit space like royalty, every head turning as we passed. Many of the faces had been at the funeral, although I’d avoided speaking to them at the wake given the abrupt ending to the service.

I chuckled to myself. If only they knew a killer walked amongst them….

There were several private rooms, which all had back entrances. I didn’t need to hide from society. They could whisper and point. I was immune.

But as the maître d' held open the door, I saw that my brother had taken advantage of the discreet entrance. He sat across from Callahan Voss, their conversation paused for my entrance.

“Gentlemen,” I said with a nod.

The ambient glow of candles on the table and the soft lighting above were a delicate counterpoint to the savage hunger in Alessandro’s eyes.

“Ah! Good evening, Mr. Baldwin. I was wondering if you would make it,” the politician greeted me with fiendish delight.

The fucker thought he held all the cards.

Little did he know that we had the information necessary to destroy him thanks to my wife’s fine work.

“Circumstances changed, Mr. Voss, and my evening cleared.” I took a seat.

No waiters were allowed in here per Alessandro’s instructions. So I poured myself a glass of wine, noting the subtle notes of cherries and smoke. I took a sip, savoring the earthy, rustic flavor.

I wasn’t a wine enthusiast, but my older brother knew how to order a good chianti.

Voss shifted in his seat. “I wonder that you drink that. You’ll forgive me for sticking with plain water.”

I eyed the bottle, then shot my brother a dark look.

“If I poisoned you, Mr. Voss, you would damn my brother,” the don said simply and took a sip of his own wine.

“Still, can’t be too safe with your kind.” Voss laughed. “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

Sandro pursed his lips. The poor bastard hated every minute of this. He reached under the table and withdrew a briefcase.

“Half a million.”

“Our contribution to your campaign,” I added, trying to remain neutral to balance out Sandro’s grumpiness.

“A good start.” Voss’s eyes flashed with greed as he leaned forward, fingers drumming against the starched white tablecloth. “Rather light for what I’m offering, gentlemen.”

My brother’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. Only those who knew him well would recognize the dangerous tension building beneath his calm exterior.

“Interesting perspective,” I said, swirling the wine in my glass. “From where I’m sitting, it seems quite generous considering your precarious position.”

Voss’s smile faltered. “Precarious? I’m leading in every poll.”

“Polls change,” Alessandro interjected, voice smooth as silk but cold as ice. “Especially when certain information becomes public.”

“Information?” he snapped, not bothering to count the money. A man like Voss knew better than to insult us with such a display.

Alessandro leaned forward, his wine glass dangling between two fingers. “You won’t be publishing anything on my brother’s blood ties.”

The politician’s smile disappeared. “I believe we discussed terms quite clearly. My silence for your ongoing contributions and support.”

“The terms have changed.” I kept my voice level, watching his face carefully. “We’re not just buying your silence anymore. We’re buying your loyalty.”