Page 21 of Niccolaio Andretti (The Five Syndicates)
Again, it’s what I would do.
When he nods, my suspicions are confirmed. “Still, I would rather not kill him.”
The words are welcome. They relieve me greatly, but I don’t relax my stance. I don’t lower the gun. I keep my weapon level with his head, my arm much steadier, much calmer than my heart.
“And what would you like in return?”
“Your uncle.”
I stare at him for a moment, understanding his dilemma. Uncle Luca sleeps behind a door guarded by top of the line technology. His room is essentially a safe, and very few have access to it. Ranie happens to be one of them.
But I happen to be one of them, too.
“What would you have done if you hadn’t seen me?” Or gotten Ranie, I add in my head, the thought too unthinkable to say aloud.
“Drill into it.”
“He would hear that. He would be ready.”
“So would we.”
I take in the four of them again, dressed in black, bulky bullet proof gear and laden with weapons. I even spot several grenades attached to two of the men. They look like they’re prepared for war.
Like they’re prepared to die for what they want.
“You’re Romanos?” I ask, but it’s more like a statement.
Because if nothing else, the Romanos are part hardcore and part bat shit crazy. Rumor has it that the bat shit crazy is inherited from the men and the women pass down the hardcore, but if that’s the case, I’d hate to meet a Romano woman. The men pose enough of a threat.
“We are.”
Trust. He’s building trust. I gave him mine by revealing Ranie’s age. He gave me his by revealing his affiliation. Trust is great in theory, but I know better. It’s usually the prelude to betrayal.
Treachery.
Duplicity.
None of those are particularly helpful in this situation, but I have no other choice. I build the bridge and pray to the powers that be that he doesn’t stomp on it. Or blow it up like a good Romano soldier would.
“I do this, and Ranie lives?”
“Yes. You will, too.”
My eyes widen slightly at the revelation before I tamper my reaction. I didn’t even consider that I’d get out of this alive. It’s a generous offer, made perfect by the reassurance of Ranie’s safety.
“How do I know you won’t kill me when it’s done? Or Ranie?”
“Trust.”
“I don’t trust anyone.”
He nods. “These three will leave. I’ll give them my weapons, too.”
One of the three behind him opens his mouth, but he’s silenced by a slight shake of the leader’s head. It’s swift but overwhelmingly full of authority.
He speaks again, “You’ll have a gun on me. It’ll just be me and you. If anything appears off, you can shoot me and save your brother.”
“What’s to stop me from taking the gun and shooting you?”
