Page 59 of Damiano De Luca (The Five Syndicates)
I leveled Cris with a cut-that-shit-out stare as I took up more space on the hotel couch than I needed. “That’s not why I called you to my suite.”
He must have read the look on my face, because he replaced his carefree demeanor with a hard expression. “What happened?”
“They moved up the date for the roundtable discussion.”
He shifted in the lounger next to me. “Okay… what’s the—” He swore. “Oh. They didn’t tell you, and you found out through your girl. Motherfuckers! What are you going to do?”
I raised a brow. “That’s why you’re here.” I made a go-ahead gesture. “Advise me, consiglieri.”
“First things first.” He leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and rubbed his hands together. “Drop that peaceful, kumbaya bullshit. It’s doing none of us any favors.” I disagreed but let him continue. “We need more respect, to renegotiate our borders, and some cross-territory distribution benefits. This is our chance to gain at least one of these things. Giving up the chance for Vincent Romano, someone you barely even knew, is doing the syndicate no favors.”
“I’ll take your words under advisement.”
“It’s what everyone wants.”
“Duly noted.”
“You’re not gonna do anything I asked, are you?”
I sighed and ran a hand across my face. Cris was right. When I’d passed on negotiations, I hadn’t been thinking about the De Luca syndicate. I’d been thinking of Ren. But I had responsibilities here, and they were, first and foremost, the De Luca family.
I shot Cris a look. “I’ll negotiate for a cross-territory distribution route, and if I can, a border renegotiation.”
“Thank fuck.”
I rolled my eyes. “I regret promoting you on a daily basis.”
“Good thing I’m your only friend.” He downed the rest of his drink like it was Two Buck Chuck and not from a six-figure bottle. “And as your friend, I feel compelled to tell you that this thing you have with the Vitali girl isn’t good for anyone. If you end up together, you put us higher on the radar of the Vitali family, which isn’t actually a good thing. If you separate, especially if it’s an ugly separation, you put us higher on the radar of the Vitali family, in a really bad way. Either way, we’re on the shit side of the Vitali family’s radar. Not good for the syndicate, Damian. Think of all you’ve already sacrificed.”
The worst part was how right he was.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
He held both hands up. “Fine. Just think of the syndicate. It’s literally your only job.”
“I’ll ignore the tone because you’re right. You’re my only friend.” I cut off his laugh, the bastard. “I need to be the first for negotiations, and—”
“Your girl can do that for you,” he finished.
I pulled out my phone and shot a text to her.
Damian: I need a favor.
Three dots popped on the screen and stayed there for a solid five minutes before my phone buzzed.
Renata: Sure.
Damian: I need to go first in the negotiations today.
Renata: Oh, is that all?
Damian: Is that sarcasm?
Renata: …
Damian: That’s not all.
Renata: What else?
