Chapter 31
"Mr Marchetti is here," Ramon announced. An Italian man with long white hair tied back into a ponytail walked in. His gait filled with confidence as he surveyed my home office. It was located on the penthouse where below I ran my business as usual.
The man was wanted in Italy yet here he was walking as if no one was looking for him.
"Mr Marchetti, a pleasure to see you always," I greeted. He returned my handshake with a firm hug and sat down.
I raised the bottle. "Whiskey or rum?"
"My, my, my Ivan. Don't tell me that even after half a decade you still ask that question. I believe we are past that line now?" He chuckled softly.
"Rum it is!" I poured him a glass and handed it to him.
"Have a seat Sir," I welcomed.
"Always one with manners. I told you to call me Romano what's with all the formalities. If I had a daughter I would have her married to you but since I have a son maybe you two can be business partner lest you are gay. Since that son of mine swings that way," he spoke.
I laughed making light of where the conversation was headed to. "It seems you haven't lost your sense of humor even after years on the run."
"I wish it was humor. What is this I have been hearing about you and that city detective. It's all over the underground that you are getting way too cosy with the man. Is this something I should be worried about?" He asked.
The tone in his voice suggested that he was no longer in the mood for joking and so I handed him the drink offering him a seat. We toasted and I sat opposite him observing him. I could tell this visit wasn't his regular checking in it meant business.
"What is this about Marchetti? I have never seen you concerned with who I get entangled with before. This is a first. Is this something I should be worried about?" I mirrored his words. His eyebrows raised slightly annoyance written all over his face but I didn't budge.
"Vance has shown interest in working with you.
Knowing the boy he may also be deeply invested in getting to know you.
Rather than wasting your time with that good for nothing detective.
You should do business with Vance and if it happens you do not like my boy you do not have to get into any commitments with him.
This alliance will be good for both families.
I can also help you find your sister. I know you never stopped looking for her," he offered.
My eyes found his calculatively that I could smell the lie from miles away.
This had nothing to do with my sister. He just wanted an alliance so the other mafia families could stay away from him while he tried escaping law enforcement.
If he knew Mariya was my sister. He would have already blurted it out.
"That sounds interesting Marchetti. But there is one setback in your plot. I don't see any benefit for me. You get everything I get nothing. Before you say finding my sister who I have never mentioned I wanted to look for. I know there is nothing for me in return,"I reasoned.
"Ivan so you are not entirely against the idea you just want to know what's in it for you. You never fail to surprise me. Your parents would be so proud."
My jaw twitched still maintaining a neutral expression. He was trying all means to rattle me. Marchetti wanted something from me. Either to expose the cover I had kept so perfectly for years or he knew something.
"Business is business. Profits and losses must be the first priority everything else is secondary.
Like I said you can arrange a meeting for me to meet your son.
Other than that everything else feels like an interrogation to me.
" I sipped my drink which burned the back of my throat with a sweet kind of pain.
Marchetti was now treading on very dangerous territory.
I wondered what it was he wanted from me.
He kept mentioning family signs there was something he knew and I didn't like being manipulated.
My hand wrapped on the pistol lying safely on my waist and it gave me a bit of comfort.
If he was coming for me he'd get exactly what he deserved.
"Atticus my boy, when was the last time someone said your name. Don't you yearn for it," he taunted.
I flipped the safety off and cocked it directly aiming for him. The bullet went off and nailed the wall behind him. The white haired man didn't flinch a smirk making its way on his face.
"Best believe the next time that name leaves your lips. There will be a bullet between your eyes and I won't miss. I don't have a problem disposing bodies. After all yours won't be the first one," I challenged.
"For a minute I had forgotten how dangerous you are.
My boy will be in safe hands. Take care of him.
He will be here in the evening. Another thing I can also help you find your brother.
Both of your siblings for that matter, just make sure Vance gets everything he needs.
It's not a request it's an order!" Marchetti provoked.
The man's dark eyes didn't waver as he continued provoking me.
He knew he had the upper hand now. There was only one option left.
To get to know his son. From there I would be able to gather what he knew.
The man clearly had been sniffing around before he decided to pay me a visit.
It had been years after he had rescued me from captivity and trained me.
Yet even a decade plus wasn't enough to escape the claws of Romano Marchetti.
He was a dangerous man and I knew it. I had been reckless as a teenager trying to find my Mariya and Ramon but since I had both of them now.Safe and hidden.
I swore to keep them safe. Even if it meant playing house with the devil himself.
There was a reason why they called me scorpion and if Marchetti didn't stay in his lanes he would find out firsthand.