It was a lie. For the purposes of my plan, I needed a December wedding.
“She’s got you by the balls already, has she?” Aurelio said coolly.
I bit back the urge to snap at him and finally took a seat in one of the armchairs. The last thing I needed was for Romano or anyone else to believe I had a soft spot for Olivia already. It would be perceived as weakness and if things got ugly between me and the capo, she would find herself in danger. So I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Honestly, I don’t care when I get married,” I said. “I have a lot more important things to worry about.”
“Trouble in your territory?” Romano asked, frowning slightly.
“No, we’re just having some problems keeping the ports safe along the northeast river. Amadeo promised me back up last year when the Russians hit the winter shipment, but his men were attacked and now he’s gun-shy. They’re low on weapons.”
“Duran hasn’t been able to buy anything off Ahmed to replace them?” Romano asked, leaning forward to pull out an account book.
“He’s meeting with Ahmed later this week,” I said. “He has thirty AR’s en route, but we need more.”
“Why isn’t Barone offering his soldiers? He’ll be your father-in-law by the time our winter shipment hits and he should be willing to help you.”
“We’re not on the best of terms, but I can try and get him to talk to me.”
Romano tented his fingers and stared at me critically. “What did you do?”
“Apparently he didn’t like that I asked for his daughter to live with me before the wedding. I think he feels I disrespected him.”
“Is that all?”
“We were on fine terms before then.”
“I’ll have a word with him,” Romano sighed.
“What was it you wanted to speak with me about earlier?” I asked.
“This, actually. I need to know how you plan to secure the northeast shipping ports before the winter. I need that product and I can’t give you leeway like last time if you lose it.”
“I promise, I’ll keep it secure.”
Romano leafed through his book and made a note in the bottom corner. “Amadeo’s wife passed last month, which is likely why he’s not been as responsive. I’m not sure why, but he was enamored of her, so I gave him a little breathing room, for a few weeks anyway. But that time is over. I’ll speak with him after I talk to Barone.”
“I do need his answer soon,” I said.
“We need to do something about the fucking Russians before the winter,” Romano said, his face darkening. “Either they back off or we end up fighting. Something has to give soon. Put pressure on Duran for more weapons—as many as he can get right now. Is this a money problem?”
“Supply chain issue,” I said.
“Well, whatever it is, fix it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You may go,” Romano said, sitting back and waving a hand dismissively.
I loathed being treated like nothing more than a common soldier, but I concealed my emotions and rose smoothly. Aurelio glowered at me as I crossed the room and opened the door.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Romano said. “Better keep an eye on Olivia. She’s a lovely young woman and you never know what could happen.”
Was he threatening her? I stared at him for a long moment before deciding his words didn’t merit a response. Silence was safer. Inclining my head, I stepped outside and shut the door firmly behind me. From inside, I heard Aurelio laugh and anger sparked in my chest.
Someday they would both pay for their arrogance.
Back in the main room, I located Olivia by the bar. I checked my phone, but Duran had never answered my text, which meant he was probably somewhere fucking that redheaded girl. Composing myself, despite my rapidly draining store of patience, I crossed the room and put my hand on Olivia’s back.