He glared at his younger brother. “This has put our family in a bad light. Our word is our bond. Our honor.”
Stefano inclined his head. “I want all drugs removed from my territory. I also want your word of honor that no trafficking of any kind, especially human, will ever be conducted in our territory.”
“You have my word,” Giuseppi said solemnly. “I speak for our family.”
“I want the word of every Saldi in this room,” Stefano said. “Specifically, I want to hear them say it aloud to us.”
Vittorio felt the warrior in him rising. He felt every one of his brothers go on alert as he was doing. Stefano’s demand bordered on insult. He was all but declaring he didn’t believe Giuseppi spoke for his family.
Val protested immediately. “My father has given his word of honor.”
“Perhaps, but it wasn’t Giuseppi’s men invading my territory, selling drugs or kidnapping women to sell them to the highest bidder,” Stefano said coolly.
Vittorio watched Val out of the corner of his eye, but he kept his gaze fixed on Tommaso. At Stefano’s demand, Tommaso flicked a quick glance at his father. Miceli rose with great dignity. He inclined his head at Stefano.
“I take full responsibility for what is clearly a mutiny in the ranks of my men. Lando Gori and Ale Sarto have always been trusted employees. More like family. I gave them more and more duties while my sons attended college. Now, my boys are home again, and I have spent time with them that was missed while they were gone. It is clear that there has been some kind of mistaken attempt to take in more territory. Perhaps I didn’t make it clear to these men that the Ferraro territory was out of bounds. I can give my word as a Saldi, for me and for my sons, that we will not conduct any business, drugs or trafficking in the Ferraro territory.”
He looked dramatic. He sounded utterly sincere. He also had that note in his voice that told Vittorio he was lying. Vittorio flicked a glance at Stefano, who inclined his head at Miceli, who sank gracefully into his seat and folded his arms across his chest.
Val rose. “I will never, under any circumstances, conduct family business, including the sale of drugs or trafficking of any kind, including women, in Ferraro territory.” He kept his gaze on Emmanuelle’s face. His voice rang with sincerity.
She paled but she didn’t even deign to lift her lashes to look at him.
Miceli’s sons made their promises. Dario sounded sincere, and Vittorio couldn’t hear any lie, but Angelo and Tommaso echoed their father’s strange, off-putting note.
Stefano was gracious after that, turning all smiles, although a bit grim.
Giuseppi rose. “Thank you for your patience, Stefano. Again, I apologize for my family’s indiscretions. I must get back to Greta, so if you will excuse us, I have quite a lot to do before I can see my wife.” The last was said almost as an accusation at his brother. “If you don’t mind, Stefano, again I would ask that you provide another copy of the list of names of anyone who has been involved in this conspiracy, as well as the proof.”
“I have it right here for you,” Stefano said and handed over a second copy of the list. “Thank you, Giuseppi. I’m very happy that you cleared this matter up between us.”
Val rose hurriedly and went to the door, his hand on the knob, blocking his father from leaving the room before he cleared the other side.
CHAPTER TEN
You seem so sad.”
Francesca sounded so compassionate, Grace was afraid she might burst into tears and spill her every fear to a complete stranger. Stefano had brought Francesca to two functions, and he’d hovered so close to her, watched over her like a hawk, so much so that Grace had been mesmerized by the couple. Stefano had rarely left his wife’s side, and when he did, she was surrounded by his brothers and sisters. Mariko and Emmanuelle were close to her at all times. Grace had wondered what it would feel like to be part of that family and so loved by them all.
Francesca half sat in her bed, looking astonishingly beautiful for a woman on bed rest. The room was enormous and included a sitting area. Before he had gone downstairs to the conference room, Stefano had arranged the furniture so that there were very comfortable chairs for Sasha and Grace to sit in while visiting with his wife.