Chapter 3

SALVATORE

“I assume you will hold back during our meeting and not offend Romano,” I said as Simone and I boarded the plane.

“I’m not a genius like you, but I’m no imbecile either. Don’t worry, I know when to shut up.”

I nodded as I sank down into one of the comfortable leather seats. Simone usually had a good

handle on his emotions, unlike my brother. “That Phoenix even agreed to meet us at all is a good sign.”

Simone sat in the seat across from me. “It might be, yes, or Phoenix wants to put a bullet in our

heads.”

“No,” I said. “He won’t risk war with the D’Angelo. Cosimo would attack, and he wouldn’t do it

with subtle tactics like Manuele Villondo. He’d go to New York and go on a killing spree they haven’t seen in the Famiglia before.”

Simone smirked. “Yeah, he’d do that. But I hear Phoenix has gone on a few impressive killing

sprees in the last few years to get the Famiglia under control and shut up the Bratva. He and Cosimo are pretty similar when it comes down to it.”

“To some extent, but Cosimo doesn’t have wife and children he needs to protect.”

Simone raised an eyebrow. “Cosimo protects Saverio and Augusto, and even you and me by some

degree.”

“That’s different,” I said.

Simone regarded me carefully. “You really think marrying is a good idea?” “It’s—”

“Don’t say it’s the logical choice,” Simone muttered. “I want to know if you really think you

can be with a woman like that. You are messed up, Salvatore. Not in the same way Cosimo is messed up, but still fucking messed up. Fuck, even I’m messed up, and it almost cost me Alessia. And it’s still fucking difficult sometimes to make this relationship work because I keep saying or doing things that unsettle her. And let’s be real: I’m the fucking epitome of normalcy compared to you. Women aren’t like us. They want their fucking knight in shining armor. They want roses and all that emotional shit. They want declarations of love. That’s not something you’re going to give your future wife. To be honest, I think most women would kill themselves within a few weeks of marrying you rather than live under a roof with all you Greco fuckers.”

“From what I know, arranged marriages aren’t based on emotions. They are based on tradition

and rationality. A woman who’s given to me in marriage knows what’s expected. She’ll know it’s business. She’s a chess piece. And I can assure you, I will prevent her from ending her life for as long as her survival is required for peace.”

Simone sighed, touching his temple. “Maybe you should keep your thoughts to yourself as

well. Most of the shit coming out of your mouth won’t set anyone at ease, least of all a woman.”

My muscles tensed when I pulled our rental car up in front of the abandoned Yonkers power plant. After we landed in New York, Romero had sent me a text saying that was where Phoenix would meet with us. The building was decrepit, and the area was deserted. A good place to torture and kill, I had to give that to Phoenix.

“This is fucking great,” Simone said, his lips curling. “I’m not in the mood to die today.”

“Neither of us will die today,” I said, pushing open the car door and getting out. My eyes

searched the area. On the roof of the building, two snipers were lying in wait. The moment Simone stepped up beside me, a gate in the old factory building swung open and three men emerged. I recognized them as Phoenix, Warren, and Romero.

“I assume you saw the snipers pointing their guns at our heads,” Simone murmured. Despite

his words, he appeared relaxed from the outside.

I inclined my head in confirmation.

The three men stopped about two car lengths away from us. Phoenix evaluated me for a moment

before he narrowed his eyes at Simone. “Do you remember what I told you last time you were in New York?”

Warren and Romero held their guns, the former particularly looking like he’d gladly put a

bullet in Simone’s head. I could tell that the feeling was mutual.

Simone nodded. “You told me I was a dead man if I returned to New York.”

Phoenix nodded. “And here you are asking for death.”

“We are here to offer truce, Phoenix.” I interrupted what would have surely soon turned into a

less than pleasant argument. “As Consigliere of the D’Angelo, I hold the power to negotiate a peace treaty between our two families.”

Warren snorted and exchanged a look with Romero.

Phoenix took a step forward. “You really think I’m going to work together with the D’Angelo after

the message Cosimo sent me through Simone last time, after you threatened my wife years ago.”

“Cosimo wanted to size you up. He didn’t mean to insult you or harm your wife.” That was only

a half-truth, but there was no point in revealing it to Phoenix.

Phoenix sneered. “Every word out of your mouth is a lie. I know you caught one of my drug

deliveries. You’re probably having my soldiers dismembered as we speak. I have absolutely no reason to trust you.”

“I don’t trust anyone, Phoenix, and trust isn’t required for truce.”

Phoenix and I whirled around toward the voice. Cosimo sauntered in our direction, completely

naked except for black briefs. “I’m not armed as you can see.” My brother was even barefoot. I narrowed my eyes at him. This was insanity. I wasn’t sure why I still bothered making plans if Cosimo always acted on his own accord.

“One day, I’m going to kill the crazy fucker,” Simone muttered. “He just signed our fucking

death warrant.”

Cosimo gave me his twisted grin as he clapped my shoulder then Simone’s before walking

closer to Phoenix and the others. “I thought it would be good to talk face to face, Phoenix. From one man of honor to the other. From Capo to Capo.”

Phoenix’s face reflected hatred, but there was also respect present. “And I thought you were a

coward who sent out his Enforcer and his brother to fight his battles.”

“I’m many things, Phoenix. A coward isn’t one of them,” Cosimo said.

“You know what, why don’t we put a bullet in your head and help Las Vegas to a new Capo. Someone less fucked-up,” Warren said, aiming his gun at Cosimo. Romero pointed his gun at me.

Simone pulled out his own gun, but Cosimo shook his head. I walked to his side. “Killing us

wouldn’t serve any purpose,” I said calmly. “Saverio will contact Villondo the moment we’re dead and offer them cooperation, and even you can’t fight both the D’Angelo and the Outfit.”

“Your brother Saverio is only sixteen. He won’t be able to control the D’Angelo.”

“I was only seventeen when I began my fight to win my territory back. You were only

seventeen when you crushed a man’s throat. Saverio is a Greco. He is a born killer, Phoenix. He can control the D’Angelo. The name Greco holds power in Las Vegas and beyond,” Cosimo said.

Phoenix narrowed his eyes, but I took it as a good sign that he hadn’t killed us yet. “Do you want

to risk cooperation between the Outfit and the D’Angelo? You can’t have peace with Manuele Villondo unless you send him your sister-in-law and your Captain.” I nodded toward Romero.

Phoenix still didn’t say anything. He was probably trying to decide if he should just end us. My

finger rested loosely on my trigger, but with the snipers on the roof, even my skills wouldn’t save us.

Cosimo moved even closer to Phoenix until they stood at arm’s length. Phoenix was about an inch

taller than Cosimo, but that didn’t come as a surprise.

“What is there to talk about, Cosimo? And this time I know your brother Salvatore isn’t aiming at my

wife, so there’s nothing stopping me from bathing in your fucking Greco blood.”

Cosimo grinned. “The D’Angelo doesn’t have any interest in hurting your family, Phoenix. Not your

wife nor your children.”

Phoenix lunged, his fingers clamping down around Cosimo’s throat. My brother made no move to

defend himself. He didn’t take his eyes off the Famiglia Capo as he rasped, “We aren’t the only ones who know about your children. The Outfit does and so does the Bratva. The Outfit attacked my territory when they thought I was vulnerable. Who do you think they will attack to hurt you, Phoenix? Caballero tried to get rid of Simone, his own son, his heir. What will he do to the daughters who disappointed him so greatly, who ruined peace between the Outfit and the Famiglia?”

The Famiglia Capo looked like he wanted to crush Cosimo’s throat, and I knew he could have

done it. Cosimo was one of the most vicious fighters, brutal to the very core, but a fight with Phoenix would probably kill them both. Even Simone and I couldn’t prevent that, not with Warren and Romero and the snipers.

Cosimo’s face turned red, but he kept talking. “Manuele Villondo is our enemy, and I’m going to

walk into Chicago and show him what it means to be at war with the D’Angelo, show him why we are despised even among our own. I will make him pay, and it won’t be quick or fair. As for Caballero, Simone is going to kill him very slowly, and if you want, we can send you the video footage so you can share it with the Caballero sisters. You want Villondo’s death as much as we do.”

Phoenix released Cosimo. “Don’t underestimate Villondo. He is a cold fish on the outside, but he

is a cruel fucker like you and I. And Caballero is a nasty piece of shit but a strategic genius. That’s why he remained Consigliere under Manuele’s rule.”

Simone made a low Puma but otherwise remained silent.

Cosimo nodded, rubbing his throat. “I know what kind of man Villondo is. And I don’t doubt

that Caballero is a mastermind of twisted plans, but I will attack where he and Villondo don’t expect it. I will beat them at their own game. And I will enjoy every fucking minute of it.”

Phoenix narrowed his eyes. “I’m not going to join you in your crusade. I have a feeling I won’t

like your plan. You are fucking insane.”

“I’m not asking you to join me. I’m asking you to stay out of my fight. In the past, the D’Angelo

and the Famiglia worked together. Peace in our territories can lead to peace between our families in Italy as well.”

“My territory is my only concern.”

Cosimo shrugged. “We can both profit from a union. I can offer you safe delivery routes for your

drugs through my territory. You lose more than half of your deliveries because either my men or Outfit soldiers intercept them. Peace means you won’t have to worry about it anymore. You can double your profits. And I will keep Manuele busy with attacks so you can focus on the Bratva and not worry about your family so much.”

“And all you want in turn is for me stay out of your war with the Outfit?” Phoenix sounded

suspicious.

I spoke up. “Manuele might approach you after we start our attacks. We want to make sure he

doesn’t manage to convince you to help him.”

Phoenix smiled coldly. “I have no intention of working with the Outfit. I want Manuele Villondo

dead, trust me.” He narrowed his eyes. “So how do you want to go about peace?”

“First, we will release your soldiers and your drugs,” Cosimo said with a smile. He motioned

at me, and I reached for my phone, causing all guns to swivel in my direction.

I sent a quick message to Saverio so he’d arrange the release of the Famiglia men. I nodded.

“Your men are being released as we speak, and your drugs will arrive safely in your territory.”

“Why don’t you just spill it?” Warren muttered. “There’s more to this. I’m running out of

patience over here.”

I tossed Cosimo a look. Warren sounded just like him.

“We want to show you that the D’Angelo is willing to allow change,” I said calmly. “Simone

is allowed to be with an outsider. He gave her that bracelet your wife gifted him.”

“I don’t give a fuck about any of that,” Phoenix growled. “I don’t care if Simone’s found a whore

to fuck.”

“Careful, Phoenix,” Simone hissed, taking a step forward.

Phoenix raised his eyebrows.

“Why don’t we get back to business,” I suggested. “You need peace. We need peace. You want

Villondo and Caballero dead. We will kill them.”

Cosimo opened his arms. “And to show you that we are very serious about truce with you and

the Famiglia, I want us to arrange a marriage between one of yours and one of mine.”

Warren chuckled. “Oh, this is getting good.”

“We’re being serious,” I said because Cosimo’s expression worried me. I could tell that Warren

was starting to seriously piss him off. “Arranged marriages between Famiglias have ensured peace for centuries, and your Famiglia has always upheld the tradition. You and Caroline are proof that it’s the perfect solution.”

Phoenix’s mouth tightened when I mentioned Simone’s sister. “It was supposed to bring peace

with the Outfit and now there’s war.”

“Well,” Cosimo said, gesturing at Warren and Romero, “that was your Famiglia’s doing. I can

assure you we will uphold our part of the deal.”

“If I gave one of our women to the D’Angelo, who would guarantee she was safe?” Phoenix asked.

“Our women are as safe as your women, trust me. They have nothing to fear in our territory,” I

said. Nothing that they wouldn’t have to fear in every marriage in our circles, at least.

Phoenix’s mouth curled in distaste as he regarded my brother. “I won’t give a woman to you in

marriage, Cosimo. I don’t trust you one bit. You are too fucking crazy for my taste.”

“I’m not the one who will marry. It’s my brother Salvatore, and you will find that he’s absolutely in

control of himself. Look at him. Doesn’t he look like every mother-in-law’s dream?”

I gave my brother a warning look before I turned to Phoenix. “It’s a good deal for the Famiglia

and the D’Angelo. Don’t let old grudges or feuds ruin your chances of optimizing the Famiglia’s profits and securing your territory.”

“This is ridiculous,” Warren said, but Phoenix was silent. He was a businessman. He knew what

safe delivery routes through our territory could mean for him. Phoenix motioned for his brother and Romero to follow him. They walked out of earshot.

Cosimo smiled.

“I don’t know what you’re smiling about. This isn’t Texas Hold ’em. Going all in isn’t the

way to go,” Simone murmured. “This is a fucking train wreck.” “Phoenix will agree,” I said firmly.

My brother and Simone looked at me curiously.

“Are you sure?” Cosimo asked.

“Phoenix isn’t the man he used to be before he had his wife and children. He won’t risk open war

with the Outfit, but he wants Manuele dead and he prefers us on his side. If you have something to lose like he does, you choose the safe option.” Romero walked toward us.

“He’s the one who broke truce with the Outfit by popping your sister’s cherry, right?” Cosimo

whispered.

Simone grimaced. “He did, and I let them fucking shoot me so they could escape. I was a

fucking idiot.”

Romero regarded us with open distrust. “Phoenix will consider your offer. We have another drug

delivery in three days. If it reaches our territory safely, we can discuss a truce in more detail.” “It will arrive safely, don’t worry,” Cosimo muttered.

Romero nodded. “Phoenix wants you to leave New York now. We will contact you in a few days

if everything goes as planned.”

“Everything will go as planned,” Cosimo said, grinning widely. “Phoenix better start looking for a

wife for my brother. We’re looking forward to meeting her.”