That’s exactly what I’d done, putting two and two together. I’d made certain Angelo had checked over both Justin and Drake, ensuring they’d had no hand in providing information regarding Sierra’s sequestered location. While they could be lying, neither one of them had any idea that I even owned a cabin away from the city. Until yesterday, Dante hadn’t either.
Only one man had known.
Armando.
He’d gotten a call meant for me from the broker, a mistake that might cost me Sierra.
The time for bullshit and betrayal was over. I was no longer enraged, merely cold inside. Every emotion had shifted into a quiet need for revenge. Sadly, there was no way of knowing just how far-reaching the ramifications would be. I wrapped my hand around his throat, squeezing until his eyes bulged.
I resisted laughing.
At first, he didn’t flail until his air supply was cut completely off. He grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into mine. As if he had the strength to best me.
“You fucked with my family, you pig. You dared to defy a man who trusted you completely. I have to wonder the reason. Money? Power? Did someone promise you that you’d be in charge of everything my father has worked so hard to achieve? Did you honestly think that my family would go down without a fight?”
He wheezed, his face turning red and his eyes imploring. As his body began to shake, he slapped at my hands.
“You made certain that Axel Movino knew exactly where my cabin was located. The asshole sent men to kill me. Is that what you wanted, to have me killed?”
He blinked several times, attempting to shake his head as if I’d believe he wasn’t the one who’d opened his lying sack of shit mouth.
“What an arrogant prick. How fucking dare you. I’m alive, you bastard.” I shoved him hard against the edge of his desk, leaning him backward. “I should snap your loathsome neck right here. That’s all you deserve. You made hundreds of thousands of dollars off my family, making you a very wealthy man but that wasn’t enough. Was it?” I wasn’t surprised the weasel did his best to talk but only choking sounds could issue from his white-lipped mouth. God, I wanted to kill him, but he was much more useful alive than dead.
At least for now.
When I let go, I jerked back, making certain he noticed my weapon.
He crumpled against his desk, coughing and wheezing, still struggling to breathe. I waited until he’d collected himself to a point before speaking.
“I am aware you are working with Axel Movino. I’m also aware that the two-bit thug is merely a front man. Do you want to tell me what you’re doing trying to overthrow the Francescos?” I wasn’t going to let on that I was aware the takeover attempt was far reaching, the attempt on a grand scale, the likes of which had never been attempted. At least if what Michael said was true.
“I…” He coughed again, his eyes watering.
I stood still, taking deep and even breaths. I could easily kill the man. The realization was difficult, even if every part of me was ready to accept the task.
“Not… true.”
“Right. Tell me another lie, Armando. I know exactly what is going on. I’m completely aware of the situation at hand and now I fully comprehend what must be done in order to save my family. Do you hear me? My. Family. You were never anything but an adornment, an employee.” I let loose all the vengeance that was in my heart, spewing shit he deserved to hear.
“You’re wrong,” he managed in a mere whisper.
“There’s something you should know about me, Armando. I’ve never been wrong about anything with regard to business in my life.” I walked closer once again and seeing him flinch gave me a smile. “You played me for a fool, perhaps because my father placed all his trust in you. That stops here. Now, I’m going to make a suggestion to you that you need to consider very strongly. I suggest you pick up that phone and tell my father exactly what has occurred. He’s certainly going to be the one to deal with you. That’s his right for the honor you chose to try and steal.”
I’d never seen such sadness in his eyes, as if my accusations were more horrific than the basic crimes he’d committed. I was surprised when he stood to his full height, raking one hand through his disheveled hair as he attempted to lock eyes with mine.
I had to give the man some level of credit. He had balls if he thought there was anything he could say to dissuade me.
He cleared his throat, issuing another volley of difficult and broken coughs. When he spoke, there was conviction in his voice. “There is much more to what is going on than… you… understand.” After taking several deep breaths, he continued. “Every family has obligations as well as secrets. The Francesco family is no exception. I hold your father in the highest regard, lucky to call him my friend.”
Dear God, I was ready to gut the man for his insolence. Who the hell was he kidding?
Sighing, Armando wiped sweat from his brow, daring to walk even closer to me. I was repulsed as well as indignant, but I refused to move.
“You need to talk to your father,” he said, far too casually in my opinion.
“Oh, trust me. I plan on it.”
“He’ll tell you the truth, including about the blackmail.”
While the words were intriguing, I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s your excuse?”
“No excuse. The damn truth, Lorenzo.” He yanked a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping his mouth. Then he pointed at me with his index finger, his entire arm shaking. “You were kept in the dark on purpose.”
“Why?”
“Talk to your father.”
“Who the fuck is blackmailing us, old man?” Damn, I was bitter.
He sucked in his breath, no longer able to look me in the eyes.
“Who?” I demanded.
“Senator Spalding.”
I realized it took me a full ten seconds before the name registered. “What the fuck? That useless puss of a man thinks he has some kind of muscle to threaten us?” I could see by his steady gaze that he truly believed the senator had the capability.
My thoughts shifted to the only person who might have the clout to fake a person’s death without raising an eyebrow. This was just another piece of the puzzle that didn’t make any sense. “And why is he doing that?”