The Bastard’s Betrayal by Katee Robert
Chapter 23
Dante was almost asleep when his phone rang. He picked it up and stared a long moment at the familiar number on the screen. Rose. There was no good reason for her to be calling now, and a whole list of bad ones. He finally answered. “Si?”
“My father knows.”
He closed his eyes and lay back on the bed. She wasn’t the easiest to read in person and over the phone her blank tone could mean anything and nothing. “Are you calling to cut things off, amata?”
“I should.” Her voice wavered a little. “It’s beyond selfish to continue to pursue things with you. My family will be the ones to pay the cost.”
Dante rubbed his temple, thinking fast. Dmitri would have laid out irrefutable facts and he would have struck right to the heart of his daughter’s fears. “Tell me what he said.”
She drew in shuddering breath. “We need all the allies we can get. Choosing you means alienating Romeo, which will put my sister in direct danger. It also means alienating Kirill, which could lead to him allowing Jovan’s people a foothold in the states. We can’t afford to be divided right now. Jovan will slaughter us if we are.”
“Matteo will take care of Kirill.”
“You can’t know that.”
He stared to argue, but the truth was that she didn’t know his cousin. She only had his word things would be resolved. His word should be good enough, but with the stakes so high, he couldn’t blame her for the doubt. There was only one way to alleviate it. “I’ll return to LA and deal with Kirill.”
“Dante.”
He muscled down his irritation at the sharp way she said his name. “I’m not going to kill him, Rosa. He’s a pain in the ass and he’s committed plenty of acts against my people, but I will pursue a peaceful arrangement. For you.”
She gave a sad little laugh. “Kirill hates the Verduccis. You can’t—”
“Rose.” He sat up. “Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do. I’ll burn this entire fucking world to the ground, Kirill, Romeo, and Jovan with it, if it means being with you. There are no lengths I won’t go to, and that includes making peace with that old bastard. Do you understand me?”
“Just like that.”
“Si, just like that.” She wanted him to find a way. She wouldn’t be calling like this if she didn’t. “Give me time.”
She was silent for a very long time, but Dante would wait for days if that was what it took. He hadn’t come this far to be deterred by a few road bumps, no matter how extreme Rose found them. Finally, she said, “Is there anything that would make you turn away from me, Dante?”
“No.”
“Such a quick answer.”
He shrugged even though she couldn’t see it. “There’s nothing to consider. You’re mine. I’m yours. No one else will do, amata. I’ve told you that from the beginning.”
She inhaled slowly. “Yeah, I guess you have.” Rustling on her end. When she spoke, her voice sounded firmer, more resolute. “Go back to LA and secure peace with Kirill and your family. I’ll deal with Romeo.”
A shot of pure adrenaline bolted through him. “No.”
“Da. We don’t have time for you to deal with both, and frankly, I have a better chance of bringing Romeo around to seeing things our way than you do.”
How? What lengths will you go to?
He didn’t ask. If she was willing to trust him in this, he could only do the same. Still… “If he lays one finger on you, I’ll take a page out of your book and skin him alive.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Her voice warmed and he could almost see her smile. “Stay safe, d’yavol.”
“You too, amata. I’ll see you in a few days.” He paused. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She hung up before he fully registered that she’d returned the words.
Dante played them back in his head several times. Close. They were so close to the future he wanted. He wouldn’t allow anything to get in his way. He dialed his cousin.
“Si.” For once, Matteo sounded cold and serious.
“Change of plans. I’m coming back. We need Kirill.”
“I’ll set up a meeting.”
Dante paused. That had been easy. Too easy. “What about Lorenzo?”
“My father is no longer in the picture.”
Thank fuck.Another sentiment he kept internal. Matteo’s relationship with his father was none of Dante’s fucking business, but he imagined it must have been difficult to kill the old man. “Condolences.”
Matteo snorted. “Don’t go getting soft on me now, Dante. I have a meeting with Kirill tomorrow morning. If you can get back by then, you can attend.”
“I’ll be there.” He was already moving as he hung up, tossing his stuff back into his suitcase. It took five minutes to book a flight and another two to schedule a ride. He met the car at the curb and started the long journey back to the West Coast.
Through it all, Dante thought about Rose and Romeo. The Capparelli wouldn’t harm her. He was reasonably sure of that. The man had already married Rose’s little sister, so he doubted he’d attempt to reverse that arrangement. But there were a thousand things that could go wrong…
He sighed. Either he trusted his woman, or he didn’t. She was more than a match for some fucking Capparelli, and he couldn’t focus properly on Kirill if he was distracted wondering what the fuck she was up to. She was trusting him to do this, was putting her faith in him, and he’d be damned before he fucked it up.
* * *
Dante barely hadtime to shower and change before Matteo was banging on his bedroom door. He opened to it find his cousin dressed to the nines. He’d always favored expensive clothes, but there was a different aura about him now. Dante narrowed his eyes. “Long live the king.”
Matteo’s icy expression thawed, showing a hint of concern. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? You’re ready to be excommunicated for this woman.”
“For my woman. Si. Use that as a bargaining chip to secure Kirill’s agreement not to host the Russian Romanovs while they’re in conflict with the New York branch.”
Matteo went to drag his hand through his hair, but stopped before he made contact. “There’s no going back if you take that step. It doesn’t matter if she dumps your ass. Once you’re struck from our line, that’s it.”
“I know.”
Matteo searched his face. “You’re not going to change your mind.”
“No.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “This is the right play, and you know it. Remove your father, remove his junkyard dog. Establish your own people.”
“You are my people.”
“Si, and I always will be. But the Verducci family has done nothing for me. Losing it is no loss.” He held his cousin’s gaze. This conversation only had one destination and they both knew it. Matteo didn’t even truly want Dante back. He knew the truth, but for once he was letting his emotions override his reason. “You don’t need me anymore.”
“You’re my fucking cousin, Dante. Like a brother to me. Don’t tell me what I do or don’t need.” He spun on his heel, took three steps, and spun back. “Change your mind. Find another woman or man or whoever. Be my righthand man.”
Dante shook his head slowly. “No. The decision’s been made.”
“Ah well.” Matteo’s shoulders slumped, but he smiled. “It was worth a shot.”
He smiled in response. “You’re getting sentimental in your old age.”
“Si, si, call it what you want.” His cousin looked away. “It’s time to go.”
“Let’s not keep the Russian waiting.”
They met Kirill at a little diner situated on the border between their territories. The parking lot was full of both Verducci people and Romanov people, all bristling with attitude and enough guns to start a small war. Dante and Matteo ignored them, taking the steps up to the door with the faded Open sign and into the building.
It looked just like one would expect of a diner. Black and white checkered floors. Black vinyl booths. A bar running down the length of it with stools on the customer side and a griddle on the other side. The entire place was empty, except for an old Black woman who ran the diner, Evelyn. She gave him and Matteo a long look. “I don’t want any funny business.”
“No, ma’am.” Matteo gave her his best charming smile. “We’re just here for a chat.”
She shook her head. “Don’t try that with me, Matty. I’ve known you since you were six, so I know better. Go sit down and be polite. I’ll get the coffee.”
They made their way to the only occupied booth back in the corner, out of the way of any windows. Kirill sat hunched over a steaming cup of coffee, his age-spotted hands curled around the mug. His hair had been silver as long as Dante had known him, and it had thinned over the years. He looked like exactly what he was, an old white man well into his twilight years.
He sat back as Matteo and Dante slid into the seat across from him. “Condolences on your father’s death.” His accent was thick and voice low. He smiled slowly. “Or should I be congratulating the new head of the Verducci family?”
His cousin tensed, but kept his easy smile in place. “My father and you never managed to see eye to eye.”
“That’s one way to put it.” Kirill sipped his coffee and studied them both. He might be as old as dirt, but the years hadn’t dimmed the intelligence in those dark eyes. “So, what will your first play be? Strong move indicates a strong leader. Can’t afford to fuck around.”
“Si.” Matteo shrugged. “That’s why we’re here. I have a proposal for you.”
“I’m already married, pup.”
Matteo didn’t smile. “I’m interested in putting things to rest and fostering peace between our families.”
Kirill cocked his head to the side. “Peace.”
“Si.” Matteo glanced at Dante and then refocused on the Russian. “You’re an old man, Kirill. Leave the bullshit territory wars and pissing contests to the young and untried…and those on the East Coast.”
“Ah.” He laughed. “This is about Jovan’s people.” He turned and looked directly at Dante for the first time since he’d sat down. “You’re lucky I value my word enough not to shoot you right here for that stunt you pulled with my niece.”
Dante was already tired of this. If left to their own devices, they would circle and snap and couch their words until night fell. He didn’t have time for this bullshit. “A deal, Kirill. I will be excommunicated and cut all official ties with the Verduccis. You won’t see me in LA again.”
Kirill considered that. He was a smart man. He obviously saw the benefit of appearing to defang the Verduccis. Dante wasn’t the only one of Matteo’s people capable of getting their hands dirty, but he was the flashiest. His absence would be a boon on both sides. “And in return?”
“In return,” Matteo cut in smoothly. “You agree to peace with the Verduccis…and to avoid giving Jovan Romanov’s people a safe place to land.”
“They’re family,” Kirill said neutrally.
Dante snorted. “Please. They’re power-hungry jackals and they want you and your American cousins to dance to the tune they set. You’ll hold out, maybe, but will your children? They’re not as strong as you. So many daughters to potentially be married to Jovan’s people, seeding disquiet within the family.” He leaned forward slightly. “Strong alliances will help protect them…like a strong alliance with the Verduccis.”
“What do you care? If your word is to be believed, you’ll be gone.”
He shrugged. “I have a vested interest in the American Romanovs remaining free of Jovan’s control.”
“I see.”
Kirill considered them for a long time, long enough that Dante had to fight not to fidget. He simply sank into stillness beside his cousin and waited. There was no point rushing the old man. He would decide one way or another when he worked through all the angles in his head. If he came to the wrong decision? Well, Dante would butcher his way through that battlefield if and when he arrived at it.
Finally, the Russian nodded. “Your conditions are satisfactory. With one addition.”
“Si?”
“It’s in everyone’s best interest if this peace is held with more than simply words.” He pointedly didn’t look at Dante. “Pick one of my daughters and marry her. I don’t care which one.”
For the first time since Dante arrived back in LA, he saw his cousin flounder. “That’s…”
Kirill raised his eyebrows. “Is peace worth so little to you?”
“No,” Matteo finally said. His skin was flushed with anger, but he gave a jerky nod. “Your terms are acceptable.”
“Good.” Kirill slid slowly out of the booth and stood, his old bones cracking with the movement. “I’ll be in touch as soon. Ensure your junkyard dog is on a plane out of town before the end of the day.”
“Of course.”
They watched him walk out of the diner. Evelyn walked up with her pot of coffee and two mugs. “Still want the coffee?”
“No, thank you, ma’am.” Matteo placed a stack of hundreds on the table. “For your trouble.”
“You two stay out of trouble.” She swept up the bills and headed behind the counter without looking back.
Matteo hissed out a breath. “That went as well as can be expected.”
Dante nodded. His read on Kirill had always been that the old man simply wanted to enjoy the remainder of his life, but humans were messy and sometimes acted chaotically. This had gone much smoother than he’d anticipated. He hoped Rose’s talk with Romeo went equally as smooth. “Kirill’s old enough to understand that the only thing a war accomplishes is us taking bloody chunks out of each other, and then being swallowed whole by Jovan. This was the smartest way.”
“Si.” Matteo stood and stretched. “I didn’t even have to pressure him on the marriage. He came up with it on his own.”
At that, Dante gave Matteo a long look. His cousin always had been filling with cunning. No doubt this was yet another prong in his plan to unseat his father, establish peace, and bolster a thriving territory. “Which of his daughters do you have an eye on?”
“Tatiana, of course. Who else?”
Kirill’s oldest daughter and second child. “You answered that quickly.” Dante raised his brows. “Something you want to tell me?”
Matteo shrugged. “Nothing special. She’s gorgeous.”
“Either way, congratulations.” Marriages and alliances had been formed with less. Dante rose and followed Matteo out of the diner. He had a few things to grab from his room, but then he was on the next plane back to New York. He dragged in a breath. Close. They were so fucking close to the future he so desperately wanted.
Too many things could go wrong.
He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Rosa. Kirill is on board. He won’t harbor Jovan’s people and he’s secured peace with the Verduccis. I’m officially excommunicated.
By the time they reached the house, she’d read it but hadn’t responded. Dante managed to hold his impatience down until he made it back to his room and then he called her. No answer. A chill skittered down his spine.
What the fuck was going on back in New York?
