Page 211 of Fall Before Her Throne

I doubted even Greco knew the lengths to the data Luciano had collected.

“I do. In fact, I have boxes of it.”

69

LEONA

Before Rossi bound my hands, I quickly called Badawi to let her know everything was in place. Makarov and Fallon had both confirmed their forces were where they were supposed to be. Giulio and Felix had all our men prepared for the final showdown.

There would be a war on the streets of New York tonight, but my last battle was here.

I sat at a singular table in the middle of Nonna’s, with my hands tied behind my back. Rossi had left them loose enough for me to escape if I needed to, but my nerves were already frayed.

I breathed a slow breath. In through my nose, out through my mouth. In, out.

I could do this. My men were counting on me.

On top of being tied up, I was also unarmed. It was a gigantic risk, but Greco would search me anyway—even if Rossi had already tied me up—especially after the last time I’d snuck a weapon past him and killed one of his capos. If he found something, he’d kill me immediately.

I was banking on the predator’s need to play with its food before it killed it.

The normal hustle and bustle of Nonna’s was gone. The restaurant was empty except for my lonely little table. Instead of patrons, Rossi’s men lurked around the walls. Anthony was closest to me, and he gave me a nod that signaled the start.

They were here.

I clenched my jaw and braced myself.

From my seat, I watched as a dozen of Greco’s men piled into the restaurant. They spread out like a virus while they searched the entire restaurant. After a few minutes, one gave a signal, and a moment later, he walked in.

Greco wore his signature tailored suit. His hair was styled off his forehead, as usual, but this time he wore a holster at his shoulder with a gun tucked inside. He pulled the weapon and held it in a firm, comfortable grip. My heart hammered a frantic beat against my ribs.

“Signorina Vero,” he said calmly. “It seems like you were caught red-handed trying to assassinate one of my underbosses.”

I gave him my most contrite look. “Just a misunderstanding, I assure you.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, you see, I was trying to surrender. Rossi just wouldn’t let me finish explaining before he wrapped these zip ties around my wrists.”

Greco tilted his head back and let out a laugh. “É vero?”

“It is true,” I explained with a smile. “I wanted to meet with you, and this seemed like the best way to get your attention.”

His eyes crinkled with amusement, like he clearly didn’t believe me, but he also couldn’t believe my audacity. “A meeting? It might be the last thing you do, but you’ve gotten my attention. What do you want?”

I jerked my head toward the empty seat. “Please sit.”

He laughed again. “Bah! No. You will not trick me that easily.”

“A trick!” I exclaimed while I wiggled my shoulders. “I’m tied up! How could I possibly trick you?”

He smiled and then gestured for two of his men. “We will search you, just to be safe.”

My lips pressed together. “Fine.”

One of his men looped a hand around my upper arm and pulled me to my feet. I winced at the harsh angle of my shoulder.

“I wonder if the princess likes cock in her mouth,” the soldier said. A ripple went through the rest of the men.