23
BUTCHER
I don’t like the look of it, but I suppose I wouldn’t care for this meeting even if it were held at the Four Seasons. The Frangiones, DaVincis, Corlettis, Larones, and Orlavs each stand beside their respective vehicles. Their heavies look around, searching for any possible ambush. There won’t be one. Not when all the major players are already here. None of them would risk themselves, not over a beef brought to the table by the Frangiones.
“Stay close to me no matter what.” I squeeze Bianca’s hand.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She scoots closer to me as I open the car door.
I step out. Bianca knows to wait, so I shut her door and open Antonio’s. He steps from the front seat, his gaze falling on Constantine Larone first.
“Let’s get to business, gentlemen.” Marco DaVinci steps forward and gestures toward an office set off to the side of the warehouse. He turns to Antonio. “I’m afraid we’re going to need Bianca Larone’s presence as well, just like we discussed.”
“She’s here.” Antonio strides to Marco. “I’ll have her step from the car as long as her safety and autonomy are prioritized, also just like we discussed.”
“Of course.” Marco gives a slight nod.
Len Frangione snorts a laugh.
My neck cracks when I turn to glare at him.
“Something funny, Len?” Nick asks, his voice like shattered glass rubbed into a wound.
Len shrugs, his beady eyes bouncing from me to the car where Bianca sits. “Nothing at all, Nick.”
“Good. Keep it that way.” Nick turns and strides toward the office at the back of the warehouse. “Get the girl. It’s time to talk.”
My hackles rise when he refers to Bianca as ‘the girl.’ She’s a whole hell of a lot more than that, but I have to pick my battles. I’m not here to shed DaVinci blood–though I will if it comes to it. I’m here for the Frangiones and for Constantine Larone. Their lives were forfeit the moment they thought they could control, hurt, or own my Bianca.
“Let’s do this.” Antonio gives me a nod.
I open Bianca’s car door, and she slips out, Gilly climbing out behind her. He knows to watch her back. I’m going to be in front, blocking her from whatever bullshit Len might try to throw at her.
I glance at her quickly.
“I’m okay,” she whispers.
“Come on, Bianca,” Constantine Larone snaps.
I turn to him, and when I do, he pales. His gaze sticks to mine, and his mouth drops open the slightest bit.
“Don’t talk to her.” I step toward him. “Don’t even fucking look at her.”
“Butcher.” Antonio’s voice holds a note of caution. “Let’s get this done.”
I keep glaring at the old man, who seems to lose three inches and as many years as he cowers before me.
With another look at Bianca, who gives me a strained smile, I gesture for Antonio to lead the way. The other families have already followed the DaVincis into the office, though Len is still hanging around the door like a goddamn hyena.
I march ahead of Bianca, blocking his view of her. He finally gives up and walks inside as we get there. Inside is a makeshift conference table and several chairs scattered around it. The seat at the end of the table is conspicuously open, and I know it’s intended for Bianca.
Though I want to keep her hidden, to shield her from the eyes of all these men, I know I have to play my part. It’s the only way to keep her and the ones I love safe.
So I lead her around the table and stand behind her as she takes her seat. Antonio sits to her right. Len tries to come around and take the seat on her other side, but I move to block him, and Gilly slides into it first.
I look down at Len, and he sneers up at me. “Why’s the brainless muscle here? I thought this was a meeting of the minds.”
“Don’t you call him that!”
My eyes open wider than they ever have in my life, and the entire room grinds to a halt as everyone gawks at Bianca.
She glares at Len. “You need to apologize.”
“Apologize?” he asks, then breaks into a raucous laugh.
Before I even think, I ease around behind him, my hands ready to snap his neck.
“Butcher,” Gilly hisses.
I force my hands back down to my sides and step away while Len finishes his hyena laugh. If this had been over anything other than Bianca, he’d already be dead. But I have to be careful. Protection, not vengeance. At least, not yet.
I return to my place behind her as Len finally settles down.
“Have a seat.” Nick DaVinci points.
Len obeys, dropping into a chair and grinning at me.
“We’re here because the Frangiones made a deal with Constantine Larone for his eldest daughter Bianca to marry into their family.” Marco recites the facts like he’s in front of a jury. “That deal went awry when the eldest Frangione, Geno, was”–he clears his throat—“when he died.” He doesn’t look at Antonio, though I’m certain Marco is aware that Antonio is the one who killed him.