Chapter 58- Master Player
Dante The villa’s grand study reeked of desperation masked as power. Eighteenth-century furniture chosen to broadcast old money, Modem security systems poorly concealed behind antique fixtures. My uncle’s attempts at sophistication had always lacked subtlety
cataloged exits and angles while appearing to study the Scotch collection, noting the recently disturbed dust patterns on certain bottles. Signs of agitation in otherwise meticulous habits. Interesting.
“Quite the dramatic summons, Uncle.” I kept my voice lazily amused, like this was merely an inconvenient social call. “Though the threats against my wife seem rather unimaginative”
Vincent Romano’s hand paused minutely as he poured drinks. Another tell. “You don’t seem particularly concerned about Mrs. Romano’s safety
“Should the?” I settled into a leather armchair with calculated casualness, legs stretched out in a deliberate show of relaxation. “Though I suppose Id have to find another photogenic campaign wife if something unfortunate happened. Bit tedious, really.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. Not the reaction he’d expected. Good
“The contract arrangemem with her family is quite profitable.” I continued, examining my cufflinks with practiced boredom. “But hardly irreplaceable. Pretty society princesses with good family conections are rather common in our circles.”
“And yet your chose her specifically
“Convenient timing.” I waved a dismissive hand. “Her family needed alliance, mine needed legitimary, Simple business. I let my lips curve in a cold smile. Though I must say, trying to use her as leverage shows rather amateur planning on your part.”
That hit a nerve. His fingers tighteneil on his glass fractionally, “Amatrurt”
“Mm.” I pulled out my phone, making a show of checking emails. “If you’d done proper research, you’d know the contract his very specific terms about dissolution in case of death or injury. Quite Evorable terms, actually. Her unfortunate demise would technorally accelerate certain business
Every word felt like swallowing glass, but I maintained perfect disinterest. Inside, my mind red–calculating camera angles, mappang positions, analyzing every piece of infamation this conversation revealed,
“You really expect me to believe she means nothing to you?” Vincent tried for menacing his landed clover in petulant. “That she’s just another contract!”
Flaughed, Jerning gennine amusement
ment color the sound. “Uncle. You of all people should understand how our world works. Every relationship is a common. Every marriage a business arrangement. I gestured expansively. Though I’ll grant you, she plays her part exceptionally well. Very convincing in public appearances.”
“The way you look at her
“h exactly how one looks at a valuable asset.“ Leut him off smoothly. “She
She brings excellent press coverage, impeccable social connections, and a convenient bridge between Dmilies, Why wouldn’t I appreciate such useful qualities?”
His ja tightened. This wasn’t going according to his script. Time to press the advantage
“Though I am curious,” I continued casually, “about your sudden interest in my marital arrangements. One might almost think you were trying to distract from more interesting matters. Like certain information leaks to rival families, perhaps?”
There – another mumne tell in his expression. Confirmation.
I don’t know what you’re implying ”
“No?” I examined the room with exaggerated attention. “Newly installed security systems. Recent communications with the Galantes ob yes, 1 know about those. Quite the elaborate setup for a simple family chat about my wife”
“You’re rather calm for someone whose wife is currently –”
“Being held somewhere in this charming villa?” I finished for him, enjoying how his face tightened. “By Marco Galante’s men, I assume? Rather sloppy alliance, that. The Galantes have always lacked finesse.”
Vincent stood abruptly, mask cracking further. “You think this is a game?”
“host it?” I smiled, all teeth. “Though perhaps not the one you thought you were playing. Tell me, Uncle did you really think threatening a contractual arrangement would give you leverage over family leadership?”
“Your Buber-
“Has been quite interested in certain financial discrepancies lately,” Feut in smoothly. “Fascinating patterns of information flow. Almost like someone was deliberately undermining family operations.”
His hand twitched toward his jacket – where a weapon would be if my men hadn’t already disabled his security. Auteur.
“Now then I stood with fluid grace, maintaining perfect control while my mind mapped every potential scenario. “Shall we discuss your real agendat Or would you prefer to continue this tedious attempt at manipulation!”
“Twenty–four hours.” he snapped, desperation bleeding through. “Step down from the campaign, transfer control of key operations, or your wife “Will what?” I laughed again, genuine amusement at his increasingly obvious tells “Suffer an unfortunate accident? Be found in compromising positions! Really. Uncle. Your threats are as dated as this decor.”
Chapter 53- Master Player
I moved to the bar, noting how he shifted to maintain distance. Fear poorly masked as authority.
“Though I am curious about one thing,” I continued conversationally while pouring myself a drink. “Did you arrange those contracts to appear in my office? Rather clumsy execution, if to. The timing was almost embarrassingly obvious”
Color drained from has face. Another piece confirmed
“I wonder what Lucia would think,” Imused, watching his reaction in the bar’s mirror. Learning she was just another piece in your rather unimaginative power play. Though I suppose her opinion hardly matters – contractual obligations being what they are.”
“You really feel nothing for her? His voice carried genuine disbelief now. Perfect
I turned, letting him see nothing but cold amusement in my expression “Feel Uncle, you taught me better than that, Feelings are weakness. Power is control.” I gestured around the room. “Though you seem to have forgotten those lessons lately. Getting sloppy in your old age.”
“I can have her killed with one call”
“And I would send flowers to the funeral before finalizing the next advantageous marriage arrangement. I kept my voice bored while cataloging every intern–expression that revealed his growing desperation. “Though really, this obsession with my wide is becoming rather tedious. Shall we discuss more interesting maten? Like your recent meetings with certain rival families“”
His hand definitely twitched toward has empty shoulder holster now. “You don’t know anything ”
“I know everything.” I let my sinile turn sharp. “Every meeting, every deal, every pathetic attempt to undermine family operations. Did you really think I wouldn’t investigate when sensitive information started leaking?”
Understanding finally dawned in his eyes. Too late.
You’ve been watching me.
“For months.” I settled back into my chair, the picture of relaxed control. “Rather sloppy work, honestly. The Galantes? Really? Even Marco’s attempts at threatening Lucia showed more creativity”
“If you think-”
“That you’re playing some clever game?” I cut him off again, enjoying how each interruption made him flanch. “Unde, you’re not even the most interesting threat I’m managing today. Though I do apprecure you confirming several suspicions with this rather amateur performance
The door
deference.
opened before he could respond. One of his quards – or rather, one of mine who’d been in place for weeks entered with careful
“Sir? The car is ready.”
Tstood, straightening my cuffs with practiced precision. “Well, this has been enlightening. Though next time you want to discuss family business perhaps skip the
he tedious threats against coral arrangements it really just wastes everyone’s
“Twenty–four hours he started, but I was already moving toward the door.
“Oh, and Uncle?” I paused in the doorway, letting him see nothing but cold amusement in my expression. “Do try to be more creative with your next plot. This one was rather disappointingly predictable.”
I felt his eyes on me as I left, noting how his carefully orchestrated power play had crumbled into obvious desperation Amateur
My phone buzzed.
Everything proceeding according to plan. Even if the plan felt like swallowing acid with every y dismissive word about my wife.
Even if protecting her meant breaking both our hearts.
