Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
T he Answer Is No
Uri
After getting Sim settled in Boston, I decided I needed to make a trip to Italy for a quick visit. I intend to return and make sure she’s okay, but I need to make this trip now. I will not wait any longer to finish this deed.
Leonardo Trovati must go. He hasn’t made a sound since Michael paid him a special visit, but I’m not willing to believe that’s the end of it. We will hear from him again.
I need him to be hushed so that doesn’t happen. I will not be made to look over my shoulder. That hit in London was meant for me because the wanker doesn’t realize that I’m not the Donati Symphony is married to.
“Uri,” Don Alfanzo croons. “It’s good to see you. Come, come. LaSalle is here with me. We want to talk about the alliance while you’re here.”
I grunt and nod. I don’t know that I want to be involved in this alliance business. I told him before I would hear him out, but listening is the most I plan to do.
I follow him into the dining room, where food is spread out across the table. It all looks piping hot and smells delicious. LaSalle is already seated, as are Marco and D’Angelo Locatelli.
We all say our greetings and shake hands before sitting at the table. Don Locatelli gestures for me to take the seat at his left as LaSalle sits at his right. Marco is already at my right and D’Angelo is across from him.
“I was happy to receive your call. What can I do for you, Uri?” the don says.
“I want Leonardo Trovati’s head. I need you to give me clearance to take his life.”
The don sits back in his seat. He looks me right in the eyes. I don’t look away.
“I cannot do this for you. Leonardo Trovati is but a gnat in the middle of something greater than his ambitions. If I allow you to kill him, it will force a war I’m not ready to enter.
“It is likely that my family will win, but at what cost. This is a battle we will enter, but not a moment before I’m ready,” Don Alfanzo says.
“So he gets to live and torment my family?” I seethe.
“I have ears. I know you have already dealt with him. I believe it will be some time before he is willing to come at you again.”
“I don’t leave loose ends. I needed to respond to him, so I did. The only reason the job wasn’t finished was out of respect for you. I didn’t think I would be met with resistance.
“Trovati went after a woman. A woman who is still a child. Since when is a bloody hit on a woman or child ignored,” I growl.
“This is not being ignored. I am being strategic. In time, you will have a yes. For now, the answer is no.”
“In that case. Thank you for having me. I have lost my appetite. I will be taking my leave,” I reply.
“What about the alliance? LaSalle would like to talk to you,” Don Alfanzo says.
“For now, the answer is no,” I say tightly.
LaSalle
“That didn’t go as we wanted,” I say to my uncle once Uri Donati is gone.
Uri is a power player, whether he knows it or not. I want him for the Alliance. Logan and I both agree he will help to make our forces stronger. He has that thing we’re looking for to make this work.
“He is angry for now. We will bide our time. When the opportunity reveals itself, we will offer an olive branch and open the conversation back up. There is still much time,” my uncle says.
I nod. He is right; there is still plenty of time before I’m ready to make a move. For now, I will watch and wait.