I said nothing.
“That was our deal, was it not? That I would back you against Luciano so you could have your revenge and keep this Family alive, but in exchange, you’d turn all the true power over to me.”
“That was our deal, yes.”
The deal that was supposed to keep our Family safe. The deal that was only supposed to work when Cas and Leona were both outside the city.
“And as part of that agreement, I ordered you to bring me Arion Vokshi. Alive.”
“Yes.”
“Which you failed to do.”
“Yes.”
“Clearly, Maximiliano, you can see that you are not living up to your side of our agreement.”
I inclined my head while my heart thumped a steady beat inside my chest. “What can I do to correct my failings?”
He took another sip of the espresso, taking his time to consider his next words. “Which Dons remain alive?”
“Sandrini and Rossi.”
And me.
And Leona.
Though, as she would say herself, she wasn’t a Don. She was a queen.
“And Leona Vero,” he added. “My men tell me she’s partnered with the Shadows, of all people.”
Fuck.
“Leona Vero isn’t a threat,” I blurted.
His palm slammed down on the table, knocking over the espresso and spilling the rest of it across my table. It took everything in me not to flinch. “Did I ask for your opinion?”
“No, sir.”
“Esattamente.” He lifted his hand and placed it back in his lap. “Bring them to me. All three of them.”
My mouth went dry. “Why?”
“Again, you question me, Maximiliano.”
My lips pressed together while my mind raced. I knew exactly what he wanted. There was no question in my mind that he would kill her. He’d demand her obedience, which she wouldn’t give because she was stubborn as fuck and so were her men, and Greco wouldn’t hesitate to make an example out of them all. He was already looking for retribution against her because she’d held Lucia captive.
I didn’t give a fuck about Rossi or Sandrini, but there was no way I could deliver her to Greco. I wouldn’t. I’d already done enough to hurt her.
I inhaled, trying yet failing to hold on to that empty space.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t do that.”
“You can’t do what?”
He stared me down, putting the full force of his command behind the glare in his eyes. Piero Greco was not a man used to being disobeyed. Piero Greco killed for far less than that. His look communicated one simple thing: Piero Greco wouldn’t hesitate to kill me.
I steeled myself. “I won’t bring them to you.”
