CHAPTER 22 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
I KNEW DEL WOULDN’T LIKE what I had to say, and I was right. But it’s what will happen.
Taking my glass, I walk back to my desk and sit down. I take a long drink of whiskey. The burn at the back of my throat reminds me I’m still alive. I then place the glass down, keeping my eye contact with Del fixed and unwavering. He still hasn’t said anything about my decision, but he will.
Anytime now.
The moment I spoke of what my next move would be, his surprise morphed into shock. He’d been getting his head around the shit with Slater, and I turned up the heat big time.
I saw his disappointment, and it’s still present. Del doesn’t understand, but he will because it’s the perfect solution.
Rubbing his hand over his chin, Del lets out a long sigh. “I know you’re cut up about Steve,” he says. “We all are, but this ?” He shakes his head. “Fucking hell, Red! It’s crazy!”
I fold my arms over my chest and lean back into my leather chair. “There’s no better way to destroy both of those firms than this. Not only will it fuck Emiliano Galvatore up beyond anything, it will also expose the Bristonis as the liars and cunts they are.”
Pulling the old newspaper out of the top drawer of my desk, I tap my pen on the article about Roberto Bristoni’s “sudden heart attack” and Arianna’s “secret” retreat. “Don’t you see? My idea is perfect!”
“But marrying the girl?” Del looks at the ceiling in despair. “Yes, it will achieve what you’ve just outlined - I get that, but what about the fallout? And I don’t just mean from the Bristonis and Galvatores.”
My eyes narrow. “As you know, my brothers don’t run this firm, and neither do they run me . Liam’s only still here because I need the numbers now Steve is no longer with us.”
And that grated like a fucking bed of nails.
I pick up my drink. “Arianna asked for my help, and she’ll get it, but only in a way that benefits us .
She came to me because I hate her family and the Bristonis enough to help.
That’s true, but...” My face breaks into a bitter smile.
“The stakes have upped since she made the situation worse, so regardless of your opinion of this right now, it will result in our favor.”
Del stares at me like I came down on the last branch.
I take another swig of my whiskey. “Think about it - what better way to rub their faces in the shit and push the point home that we call the shots, than by taking Arianna as my wife?” I shrug.
“I should point out it will be name only - no more, so let’s see how they shoulder that mindfuck.
I want the wedding done and dusted as soon as possible. ”
Del holds his hands up. “Okay, okay, I kind of understand it, but what about you? As the head of a firm, I know there’s sacrifice involved, but fuck’s sake, tying yourself into a fake marriage with an enemy? That’s hardcore!”
I grin. “Maybe, but it will work, therefore it’s worth it.” My grin hides my real thoughts - the ones I will never share. Part of my reasoning, which I haven’t explained to Del, is that this is about more than causing the Bristonis and Galvatores shit. It’s the perfect punishment for me .
What better way to pay for my guilt of bringing Lorna into our lives to kill my parents than condemning myself to a marriage with a woman who I despise, yet equally want, but will never allow myself to have?
It will be hell and no more than I deserve. It’s no more than Arianna deserves either, for having Galvatore blood inside her veins.
It’s the purgatory I crave, and that craving is getting stronger. The ultimate punishment.
Del shakes his head once again. “You’re fucking nuts, but like I said last night, I’ll always back you, no matter how barking your reasoning.” He grins. “Actually, I think I’ll have that whiskey after all.” His smile then fades. “When will you tell your brothers?”
Reaching for my cigarettes, I light one, take a drag and exhale a thin stream of smoke towards the ceiling. “After I’ve told my wife-to-be the happy news and the wheels are in motion. ”
As I turned that van around last night, I promised myself that as well as crucifying those two bastard Eyetie firms, I’d ruin Arianna for bringing this shit to my door.
Now I’ll be doing just that.
When she marries me, she’ll wish she’d stuck with her original husband.