Chapter 16 #2
I nodded. “A neutral site is necessary. I was thinking the ballroom at the Blaze Imperial. It’s on the ground floor, with multiple access points, making it more enticing for an attack than the same space on the rooftop of the Nickel Regal.
” Those were the city’s top luxury hotels, and we had a track record of using them for fundraisers and galas, so it wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary when Dario caught wind of our upcoming soirée.
My brother mulled it over. “The staff is accustomed to our strict security protocols, but I can’t imagine the Blazes will be too thrilled about us spilling blood on their carpets.”
I poured myself another drink. “If Everett Blaze knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his eyes firmly fixed between the legs of whichever bimbo he’s found to be his executive assistant this week.”
“Kensington’s the one you have to watch out for,” Enzo cautioned. “She’s a real shark, been known to make grown men cry.” He chuckled. “Reminds me of Gemma in a lot of ways.”
“Nepotism aside, if she’s smart enough to land the position of CFO, she’ll recognize that filing an insurance claim and calling it a day is in her best interest.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Matteo pressed.
I shrugged. “Then destroying BlazeLuxe International might become my sole mission after putting Dario six feet under.”
It wouldn’t be hard to do. The Blazes and Nickels had been feuding over prime spots in exclusive tourist destinations for nearly a decade now.
If Bellini Real Estate partnered with Nickel Hospitality, offering them access to the undeveloped properties we held in exotic locations around the globe, while helping to revamp their loyalty program, together we could slowly choke the life out of BlazeLuxe.
They didn’t want to go up against me. Not when I was known for playing dirty.
Nice guys finished last, after all.
Enzo let out a low whistle. “Damn, that’s cold. But I kinda dig it.”
“Do I have everyone’s permission to move forward?”
The room went so silent you could have heard a pin drop as four sets of wide eyes stared at me unblinkingly.
Their shock wasn’t surprising. This was the first time I’d treated our family as a democracy rather than a dictatorship. But in this instance, their lives would be on the line, and I wasn’t interested in potentially leading lambs to slaughter. Agreeing to my plan meant taking the ultimate risk.
Just when I’d resigned myself to a sleepless night ahead, while I developed a Plan B, one by one, the members of my immediate family spoke.
Matteo dipped his chin. “I’m in.”
Summer rose from her seat to take his hand. “Me too.”
Rory sighed, her eyes lifting to the ceiling. “I don’t see how we have any other choice.”
“Wouldn’t miss taking down that old bastard for the world.” Enzo flashed me with his signature smirk.
The air left my lungs in a rush as I released the breath I’d been holding. “Fuck. You guys had worried there for a minute.”
Snickering, Enzo said, “Figured we’d let you sweat since you decided to show up in the 11th hour and claim the role of hero.”
My fists clenched, along with my jaw. “Don’t act put out when you’ve had four years to put an end to this.”
A bark of wry laughter burst from Matteo. “This coming from the guy who abandoned us in the middle of a war he started because he couldn’t admit that his wife hates his fucking guts.”
“Oh, good, they’re bickering again,” Rory deadpanned.
“If you’ll excuse us, we have a party to plan.” Summer helped my wife to her feet before looking me dead in the eye and declaring, “Don’t you dare make my daughters orphans.”
Mouth dropping open, it took until they’d left the room before I found my voice.
“She’s, uh, direct,” I remarked, still a little stunned.
Matteo brought his glass to his lips. “You can say that again. She ripped me to shreds, outright calling me a neglectful father the day we met.”
“To be fair,” Enzo chimed in. “That was after she had to perform CPR on your four-year-old, who nearly drowned because you weren’t watching her.”
“Christ.” I scrubbed a hand over my jaw. From the sounds of it, there hadn’t been a dull moment in my absence.
My brother lifted his scotch and toasted. “To strong women and the men who are lucky enough to love them.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Enzo tilted his glass in Matteo’s direction before taking a swig.
“Can we get back to business?” I begged, desperate to cut them off before they went down the love rabbit hole again. “You know, since everyone’s lives are riding on it. Speaking of”—I turned to Enzo—“we’re only sitting at five out of the six of us in agreement to move forward.”
He waved off my concern. “Allie will be there. When it comes to this family, she’s never faltered in her support.”
I clapped him on the shoulder in non-verbal appreciation. “I want to keep this need to know only, minimize the chance of leaks.”
Enzo nodded his agreement. “I’ll gather my best men and form a team, debrief them once we’re on site.” His lips pursed together. “How do you feel about having them dressed to mix with the wait staff?”
“Not a half-bad idea. It’ll keep our top mercenaries camouflaged and nearby whenever Dario decides to make his move.”
“He’s not going to show up alone,” Matteo warned. “He might be stupid enough to come for your crown, but he’s not suicidal. And while Corsi has been cleared of any association with our uncle, we have proof that he’s got support.”
“All’s the better if he brings his small following along. We can cut off the head of the snake, then slice open its belly and burn its entrails while we’re at it.”
“All right then.” Enzo let out an impressed hum.
“Spent my entire childhood praying that I’d wake up one day and Uncle Dom would tell me my father was gone.
While that plea was never granted—you know, since there isn’t a God—there’s a sick satisfaction to be found in knowing I’ll get to be in the room when he takes his final breath. ”
“Wish I could let you do the honors.”
He knew, as well as I did, that I had to make a public show of strength by killing my challenger.
Did I love the idea of doing so in front of my men’s wives, many of whom were shielded from the bloodier side of our profession? Not particularly, but if this was the only shot we got, I sure as hell was going to take it.
My cousin shook his head. “I don’t care who pulls the trigger, so long as he ends up dead.”
“It’ll be my honor to take the fucker down after all he’s done to terrorize our family.”
Enjoy your final days, Dario.