by now.”
“My investigation is going to ruin you.” The senator’s confident words were given with a smile, although he faltered when the waiter brought the four drinks, placing the last in the middle of the table. His hand shook as he reached for his drink.
“Not so fast, Senator,” Christian said. “We need to celebrate the deal we’re going to make together.”
“I’m not making any deal with you. I have no reason to. I’ve already told my wife about Sasha. While she’s angry, she’s aware that everyone is allowed to make mistakes. She stands by my side and that child does not belong to me.” He laughed and purposely took a gulp of his drink.
“Uh-huh.” I fiddled with the glass, taking my time before answering. “What I don’t think you understand fully is that given your initiative to run for president of the United States, your constituents might not appreciate or understand your connection to the Taglioni crime syndicate. Do you?”
“I had no way of knowing that she was a member of their family! She uses a different last name and lives far removed from the family compound,” the senator snarled, slamming his hand on the table. “You will not blackmail me. With what I have on this cult of yours and all the disgusting information I have on your sick organization, it’s just a matter of how far down the sect will go. I can’t wait to see that happen.”
What we’d learned from Donovan was not only disheartening, it had been eye-opening. What Donovan had to endure when he realized that there was no easy way out from being entangled with the mafia had led him to dire decisions, including blackmailing a man he’d been close to for years. His plan to blackmail the senator while offering his daughter to the sect for protection had taken guts.
What hadn’t been mentioned was the secret Christian and I held. However, there was no relief, no sense of taking a deep breath. I had no doubt that someone at some time would use the damning knowledge to their benefit. It was only a matter of time.
“And that’s not something you want to do,” Christian said, his smile growing wider.
“You wouldn’t dare cross the Taglioni family. We’re very... close.” The senator acted as if he’d won.
“I don’t know about that. While they have certainly been funding not only your lifestyle but your campaign fund, they don’t take kindly to a man who double crosses them.” As I said the words, the senator turned his head, once again thrown into the world of the unknown.
“That’s bullshit!” he insisted.
“Is it?”
The deep voice penetrated the space around us, gravelly from years of cigarettes and cigars. As Carmine Taglioni closed his distance toward the table, I could see the terror crossing the senator’s face.
“Carmine,” Senator Bellows whispered, his hands gripping the edge of the table.
“Please join us,” Christian suggested, pointing to the fourth chair.
Making a deal with the Taglionis had been risky, but worth it if for nothing else than seeing the senator sweat.
“I will do that,” Carmine stated, his glare harsh as he sat down, immediately reaching for the drink I’d ordered. “It would seem, Gil, that we have a problem and one I’m hoping you can help us with.”
The senator appeared to have a difficult time breathing as he glanced around the table. “What is this?” he finally managed to ask.
Carmine tapped his fingers on the table. “It would appear that you’ve convinced certain members of law enforcement to include my family in this investigation of yours. It would also appear that the appropriations committee that you so proudly serve on is prepared to shut down various land deals, including those both the Capodanno and the Taglioni family represent. Is that true, Gil? If so, that would mean that you not only betrayed my trust but that of my daughter and the child you brought into this world.”
The tension could be cut with a knife.
“I didn’t betray you.” The senator’s words were strangled. “I have loyalty to you.”
“To the contrary,” Carmine said, laughing. “Now, as I’ve told you before, Gil, I’m a businessman. To that end, these fine gentlemen made me a deal that I couldn’t refuse. I’m going to honor those terms and in doing so, that will bring an end to the strife between our organizations.”
The senator was white as a sheet. “Meaning?”
“Meaning that both our organizations will thrive. And do you want to know why?” Carmine asked, his eyes twinkling.
While the senator continued