Chapter 11 #2
I locked on to Benedetta’s stare with mine, scrutinizing her intention, then, satisfied, I gave her a nod.
“Good. So how are we getting Val back home?”
My new business partner smiled, as if she’d beaten me.
“I’m glad you asked. There’s a masquerade ball in Chicago in three days. The Moscatelli family always attends.”
“Christ, don’t tell me the extent of your plan hinges on storming their house and abducting Val while they’re out at a party.”
Benedetta leaned back in her chair.
“You don’t need to storm any castles, Stefano. I think you’ll want to do it a little more quietly. A delicate touch is the only way to get her out alive.”
Out of pretense alone, I nodded at her suggestion.
“Go on. What are you suggesting?”
There was still a good chance I’d say fuck it and do whatever needed to be done anyway, gentle touch or otherwise.
“I have an invitation to the ball,” she said, “and you can go as my date. Since it’s a masquerade, maybe no one will figure out who you are behind the mask before you can make your play. But if they do, well, you now control my holdings in Chicago and have a legitimate reason to be there.”
“Where are they keeping her?” I snapped, losing what little remained of my patience.
“I don’t know what they’re going to do with her, but this event will be the best place for you to make your case to her father. I strongly recommend talking to her older brother first.
“Not only is Marco Moscatelli the heir, but I hear he has big plans for his family. Rumor has it, he’s been maneuvering his father for years, setting up everything the way he wants it to eliminate any confusion when he takes over.”
He planned to take out his old man.
That was Chicago for you.
“He sounds like a prick,” I growled.
Benedetta shrugged her shoulders.
“Maybe, but he’s still your best bet to get through to Saul. I don’t know how much you know about the family, but they’re absolutely ruthless.
“A few Chicago families have turned against them because of their association with the Russians. Marco’s trying to mend those rifts, so marrying his sister into the Bratva is probably the last thing he’ll want to do.”
“I knew about the Russians,” I said, “but I didn’t know to what extent it had isolated the family.”
“They still have too much influence to be fully isolated, but it did put a strain on relations. They may have trouble securing a husband for Valentina, especially considering…”
She bit her lip as she regarded me.
“Considering what?”
“Your engagement announcement made it very clear she has a child. You know as well as anyone, a mafia bride’s only as good as her innocence.”
“So you’re suggesting we do this the diplomatic way?” I snapped. “That I break the treaty, make it known publicly that I’ve broken the treaty, and try to purchase my wife from them as damaged goods?”
Benedetta winced. “I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but yes.
I recommend you offer more than what’s fair for an untouched bride.
Her options are limited, but some do exist. Remember, you now have holdings in Chicago.
If you don’t kill anyone, no one should object to you being there temporarily. ”
I leaned over my desk.
“How many of your father’s men are in Chicago?”
Not good. She pressed her lips into a grim line.
“Most are here now. Ties remaining in Chicago are mostly social. The men who stayed are older, most retired. You can probably count on some backup if truly necessary.”
It all seemed too good to be true. I shook my head.
“Sounds like you’re telling me we go to the party with an invitation and leave with my bride.”
“If everything goes smoothly, that’s right.”
“What are the chances that will happen?”
She took a deep breath and released it.
“Well, that depends. What will you say to Marco to get him on your side? What price will you offer Saul?”
“What does Moscatelli want?”
“Same as you all want, I guess. More power. I don’t know how you’ll offer him that. That’s where Marco comes in. Oh, I did hear my father say something about the Russians opening new distribution channels for Saul.”
Women weren’t usually privy to the specifics of another’s bridal price, or to any of the other shit she’d said.
“How the fuck do you know all this?” I asked.
“We know much more than we let on,” she said softly.
She’d just proven it with how well prepared she was for this meeting. This one seemed smart enough to lead her family. Too bad our ways didn’t allow it.
I stood and jerked my chin toward the door.
“We done here?”
She got up, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
“Sure. I’ll send a copy of the contract to my lawyer and get started on our travel arrangements.”
“Good. I want to leave right away. Let me know how many men I can put on the plane.”
Benedetta stared at me for a minute.
“You’re absolutely sure you want to do this?”
“Do you know of another option I’m not aware of?”
“You’ve considered all the consequences, right?”
“Listen, if shit hits the fan, I’ll keep you safe. The only real consequence of concern is my son not getting his mother back.”
She blinked. “No—I mean, you’re breaking the treaty, and you can only argue for an exception if the Commission decides to listen. If they find out before you can plead your case, they’ll likely punish you. Severely.”
“The Commission will be a problem only if I fail, and if I fail, they’ll be the least of my problems. I won’t fail.”
I couldn’t look my son in the eye if I did.
Benedetta nodded and turned to leave.
“Okay. I’ll text you the details when it’s all settled, Stefano.”
“Thank you.”
Then, before she made it past the doorway, I put out my arm to stop her. Anger and violence vibrated in my blood.
“One more thing,” I snarled. “If you interrupt me again, or raise your voice to me, even roll your eyes—I’ll kill you. You want to negotiate like a man? Fine. That’s how I’ll treat you.”
Her face paled, and she gave a small nod.
I dropped my arm and let her scurry out of my office.
Benedetta Capaldo just made a deal with the devil.