“Please, Arianne, call me Antonio.” He relaxed back in his chair. “Well, I am waiting...”
“Actually, I’d like to speak to you... alone.”
Nicco let out a low groan. I peeked over at him. He looked confused, betrayal glittering in his eyes.
But I needed to do this.
“Very well. Niccolò, leave us.”
“Wait a minute,” he shot forward, “maybe I should—”
“Niccolò! Arianne has asked for privacy, and she shall get it. Wait outside.”
“Why?” Nicco asked, the hurt in his eyes almost too much to bear.
“I had to.”
He stalked out of the room, and guilt snaked through me. But I would worry about Nicco later. Right now, I needed to talk with his father.
“It would seem I underestimated you, Arianne,” he said. “Please, sit.”
I took one of the leather chairs. “I am sorry for just turning up like this, but I couldn’t just stand by. Mike Fascini and his son deserve to be punished, Mr. Mar—Antonio. But murder?”
“In our line of work, we prefer the term execution.” He was so matter of fact it made my chest constrict. “Mike Fascini plotted against my family, Arianne. I’m sure you can understand I can’t just let that go unpunished. He has directly threatened you, and now your father.” He steepled his fingers. “Can I ask you something?”
I nodded.
“Would you rather sacrifice yourself to save Roberto?”
“No, that’s not—”
“Sometimes we must make hard choices.”
“That’s what Nicco said.”
“This life doesn’t come easy for Niccolò. I suppose, in part, I am to blame for that. He blames me for his mother leaving. He blames me for a lot of things. And his blame isn’t misplaced. I have done things, Arianne. Despicable things. But it is who I am. Just as you sit before me now as who you are.”
“Is there another way?”
Antonio’s brows morphed into a scowl. “Another way?”
“To deal with the Fascini. You are a well-connected man, you have the evidence of what Scott did to me, surely there is a way to take that to the authorities...”
“There is always another way, Arianne, but it doesn’t mean it is the right way.”
“I don’t want anyone to die.”
“Death is inevitable.” He stroked his jaw, studying me, as if I was puzzle he was trying to solve.
“I want them to pay, I do. But not like this.”
“You know, there are people who might think you should be sitting here thanking me. I am, after all, offering to save your father. My enemy.”
“But you’re not doing it for me, are you? You’re doing it for you. For the Family. Kill two birds with one stone.”
“Explain.”
“If you get rid of the Fascini, it leaves my father in your debt. You can use that as leverage to ensure he doesn’t come after La Riva. If Fascini is gone, my father’s position is weakened. And the Marchetti come out on top.”
“Interesting.” His eyes twinkled.
“What is?”
“You’re more like your father than anyone gives you credit for.”
“Whether I like it or not, I am my father’s daughter. And I am here to negotiate.”
He sat forward; hands folded on the desk. “I’m listening.”
“What if you didn’t have my family in your debt but as a partner?”
“I’m not sure you are in any position to make that offer, Arianne.”
“My father’s life hangs in the balance and one day, Capizola Holdings will be mine. I think I’m exactly the person to make such an offer.” My brow raised.
“Your terms?”
“Figure out another way to take down the Fascini. You said it’s possible. If you can guarantee no one will get hurt, I’ll make you a silent partner.”
“Your father will never agree to those terms.”
“It’s not his decision to make.” My voice shook. “We both know he’s indebted to you either way.”
“It’s ballsy, I’ll give you that. Our families are on opposite sides of morality. Bringing us together—”
“Is righting history.”
“This won’t change who we are, Arianne. It won’t change who Niccolò is. Do you understand that?”
“I know.” My voice was small. “I’m not a fool. I know what you do. I know what your family does. But this is different. This is personal. And I’m not sure I can carry the burden of murder.”
“Say I was to consider your offer; I’d need reassurances.”
“I give you my word. After the Fascini are dealt with, I’ll have my father’s legal team draw up all the necessary paperwork.” My father would listen, he’d have no choice.
Not after Antonio saved his life.
Besides, he owed me.
My father owed it to me to let me have this.
“I appreciate your tenacity, Arianne. But it is all just words