Page 35 (1/2)

Stefan raises his brow, clearly not amused by my effort to defuse the uncosthem in front of me so I can stare at his boots while he adjusts his crotch This is no way to sit for a don, and he knows It’s exactly why he does it To make me feel intimidated Humiliated

“So you’re not here to have soar “Pity”

“We already shared a quality time at the auction,” I quip

He sar “I would enjoy another one in the future”

“H him dead in the eye “That’s not why I came”

He pauses and lifts his cigar away fro at me with a peculiar look on his face “You want ar around “Fine Amuse me”

“I need uns,” I reply

He cocks his head “With what money?”

As lance at Claudio, whose concerned eyes have e

“Yes, I know all about that fallout at the harbor About you losing all your weapons Your men Your cold, hard cash” He takes his feet off the table and sla over the desk as if he wants to tear my tie off my neck “I know the destruction you’ve caused And I know you have nothing left”

I take a deep breath “I still have uns in my personal stash”

Stefan laughs even louder than before “Don’t play dumb with me, Marcello I’m not a fool You didn’t come here to play with ar “You have one foot in your grave Now tell me why I should help you”

Claudio clears his throat to grabinto ood offer He’s not going to be on our side unless he can gain soreat value”

My nostrils flare as I nod at Claudio and turn e with the Irishpeace back to the city”

Stefan’s face is like stone—unhter

“You think I care about that? You think I want theain and then slams his hand onto the desk, hard “This city is s A safe city does not have any need for guns or women”

“There will always be a need for—”

“Do not insult rowls

It’s silent for a few seconds while Claudio keeps eyeing me

I sigh out loud Fine If it has to come to this to destroy my enemies, to finally keep Harper out of harm’s way, then so be it “I will let you have the rest of the city, plus a part of what the Italians control”