Page 85 of Sinful Bride

"You should have thought of that before you betrayed me."

I walk to my desk and pick up my phone. Dante is still pleading, still begging, but I tune him out. I have more important things to focus on, like calling my father-in-law.

Enzo Capetti answers on the third ring. "Declan. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We need to talk about Dante Moretti."

"What about him?"

"He's been spying for you. Gathering intelligence on my organization." I keep my voice level. "He admitted it."

There’s a long pause. "I see."

"Did you know?"

"No." The word is firm. "I had no knowledge of this. If Dante was acting as a spy, he was doing so without my authorization."

"He says he was reporting to Salvatore Russo."

"Salvatore is... ambitious." Enzo's voice is carefully neutral. "He may have taken it upon himself to gather intelligence without consulting me. If that's the case, I'll deal with him."

"And Dante?"

"What about him?"

"He's here. In my office." I look at the man in question, who's gone pale. "If you're telling the truth—if he really was acting without your knowledge—then I'll bring him to you tonight. You can deal with him yourself."

"That's... generous of you."

I lean back in my chair. "We're supposed to have dinner tonight anyway. I'll bring Dante with me. You can question him, verify his story, and handle it however you see fit. But Enzo—if I find out you're lying to me, if I find out you authorized this, then we're going to have a very different conversation."

"I understand." His voice is cold now. "Bring him tonight. I'll take care of it."

He hangs up without saying goodbye. I look at Dante. He's shaking, his face white as paper. "You're taking me to him?"

"That's what I said."

"He'll kill me."

"Probably." I stand up. "But that's not my problem anymore. You made your choice when you decided to spy for the Capettis. Now you get to live with the consequences."

"Please—" He's on his knees now. Actually on his fucking knees. "Please, I'll do anything. I'll tell you everything I know. I'll work for you for real this time. Just don't⁠—"

"Get up." I can't look at him like this; I can't stand the sight of a man begging for his life. "You're going to be held in one of the buildings on the Capetti estate until dinner. Then we'll see what your former boss has to say."

I call for two of my men. They come in and haul Dante to his feet, dragging him out of the office. He's still pleading, but I close the door on his voice. Then I sit down at my desk and put my head in my hands.

Elena was right. She saw what I couldn't see, and now I have to deal with the consequences of my own stupidity. Eight men dead. A spy in my organization. And a father-in-law who may or may not be telling me the truth.

I need to talk to Elena and tell her what happened, get her perspective. But first, I need to get through this dinner.

And hope like hell that Enzo Capetti is being honest with me.

—

The Capetti estate is even more impressive at night. Lights illuminate the mansion and grounds, making the whole place look like something out of a movie. We arrive early, and I leave Elena in the main house with instructions to wait for me.

The building where they're keeping Dante is at the far edge of the property. It's small and nondescript, like just another outbuilding, but I’m well aware of what kind of business is conducted in a spot like this.