"So, the charges will be dropped and the witness will disappear? Or take the fall? And as long as the Carlotti Family operates under your umbrella, operations return to normal?” he finally asked, speaking carefully and concisely. Rodrigo nodded, and Vinnie’s gaze quickly flicked to me then back to Rodrigo before he made his offer. “Then you'll accept her as a token of cooperation between us?"
What the actual fuck?! My mouth was about to run away with itself, consequences be damned, when Rodrigo shocked the shit out of me.
"You're going to hand her over, just like that?” he asked incredulously. “What happened to your high and mighty views on my treatment of her before? Seems you're selling out, old man." Vinnie bristled at Rodrigo's taunt then composed himself and shrugged.
"It was about taking care of our own, those under the protections offered by the Family, and following through on our promises. A matter of honor if you will. You know how it goes. We don’t shirk our obligations, but once the loyalties have traded hands,” he shrugged and spread his hands,” it's no longer Carlotti business." Vinnie refused to meet my glare, and even Fields stepped closer as if sensing I was two seconds from launching myself across the table.
But my mind was spinning out and my legs felt too weak to do anything but keep upright, my hands and feet tingling in response to the panic and betrayal coursing through my body. The fuck really sold me out. He’d just traded me away, like fucking chattel, not caring what would happen to me. Dread continued to pool in my gut like acid. I could handle it while I knew it was temporary, I could handle it while he exacted his pound of flesh from me for his son for turning against him, but to be at Rodrigo's mercy for the rest of whatever time I had left to live? No, I couldn't do it. I wouldn't do it. I'd promised myself not to go back to that life, and I’d just been launched right back into it.
“So be it,” Rodrigo replied, loosening his hold on me. “Peter, be a pal and take our new acquisition to wait for me in my office?”
I stiffened, contemplating fighting, as Peter got up from his seat to collect me, Jasper in tow. When Peter gripped my elbow and gestured for Fields to step back, I turned to follow, flipping Vinnie off as I went. His expression remained hard and unfeeling, but Rodrigo and Peter’s muffled laughter said they found it amusing. Again, I imagined smacking them a time or two, but I knew it wouldn’t do more than injure any pride I might have left, so I followed like the good little whore they claimed I was.