Page 8 of Love Me (Touch of Death 3)
“Why here? Why not go to your sister?”
I sigh, painting the image of a heart torn woman. “I came for Sasha.”
“Did you? Or did you think we would protect you where your sister can’t?”
“I didn’t come just for him,” I lie. “I can’t go to my sister. I love her, but she’s weak. However, I know you allied with her before.”
He laughs. “I gave Gabriella a chance to prove herself, and she fell at the first hurdle. She was no match for Enrique Bianchi. I knew it, but I gave her a chance upon her request, out of respect.”
“I know better than anyone, Gabriella cannot stand against the Bianchi family. She showed her throat, and Enrique very nearly ripped it out.”
“So now you bring your problems to my door? Again.” Arrogance pours from him, and I hate it. “I helped you once, but you made your choices, Adelina.”
He helped me because his girlfriend and her sidekick took away the one man who could stand between Enrique and me, leaving me unprotected and vulnerable. Everything that has followed is their fault, and yet he’s incredulous enough to imply that he did me a favor.
I swallow down my rage and play the part of the victim, just the way he wants me. “I came to the one man that may be invested in the demise of the Bianchi empire as much as me.”
“The warring between the Sicilians is not my concern.”
“So, you don’t care if the Bianchi’s grow in power?” A muscle in his jaw tics and I know I have him.
You see, I learned a thing or two living in Enrique’s house, and I know he directly competes with Nero’s business. More power and money to them means less to the New York mafia. I know Nero. They’ve gained too much of a foothold, and he doesn’t like anyone having a monopoly on his business like that. Other than him of course. Add to the fact that Enrique blatantly attacked him, here in his home, and I have a perfect storm.
“I didn’t think so.” I lift my chin. “You want them buried, but you can’t be seen to be involved in Sicilian affairs. I understand.” I watch as his eyes narrow in suspicion. “I can solve both our problems, Nero.”
“You’re part of the Bianchi family now. That technically makes you the enemy.”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
That ruthless glint meets his eye. “I don’t need ‘friends.’ I own everyone and everything. I will crush the Bianchi’s.”
“You could and open yourself up to a political minefield. Or…help someone who has a rightful claim.” I can almost see the wheels turning, processing, plotting, thinking through all the ways he could manipulate this situation to his advantage.
“The thought has crossed my mind, but a name is not enough to hold a mafia, and you will need to hold it. You’re of very little benefit to me otherwise. If your sister is anything to go by, you won’t last two minutes.”
My spine instantly stiffens at his patronizing tone. When this is all said and done, he will know that I am far from the little girl he thinks I am.
“I am not my sister. I am Adelina Ricci-Bianchi,” I say through clenched teeth. I know I have his attention when he tilts his head. “When the king falls, the kingdom belongs to the queen, does it not?”
A small smile pulls at his lips. “In theory, though when the queen murders the king, that changes things a little.”
“Unless there’s no one left to defend the kingdom.”
He steeples his fingers in front of him. I can see him thinking, deliberating.
“You have nothing to lose,” I push.
Long seconds tick by before he finally speaks. “Just how do you propose to take the crown, Adelina?”
I almost smile. “I need to go back to Sicily, to my sister. The Ricci name still instills loyalty from other families.” Our eyes lock, and the breath that was held captive in my lungs slowly releases.
He taps his index finger over his bottom lip. “Okay, Ms. Bianchi. I will back you, but it will be from a distance. When the time is right, I will send you men and resources.” Hard eyes lock with mine. “This is a binding agreement. Do not disappoint me. I will not be as lenient with you as I was your sister. I have much higher hopes for you, Adelina.”
It’s as close to a show of respect as I’m going to get from Nero, and I nod in acknowledgment of the threat. “I need help getting back into Sicily. I’ll be wanted. The Bianchi’s will have a price on my head by now.”
“I can offer you a plane.”
“Good. And I’m going to have to kill whoever is now top of the Bianchi family. I need an assassin.”
He lifts a brow. “Then find one.”
