The Godfathers

O VAL

uts showing up

in it. He didn't stand up. He didn't need to.

s face was unreadable. "Y

drink in his glass. "I thought

I thought you'd be bold enough to talk to

t. Hands hovered nea

l, kid. Pride can get you

hout hesitation, his chin

, then-with a lazy wav

eave

mple c

no one

gripped

Emilio's men didn't budge either, their fingers

as a s

he smiled, sl

ried now, smooth but edged with

pa

by one, th

, waiting for a signal. He gave them the smallest n

d for a second longer than necessary, their eyes flic

the door

ile

s just the

g Emilio like he was something t

he mused. "

o didn'

how this conve

w and dark. "Then le

epped f

did E

as silent now,For a mome

io pulled forward the chair he sat on. The

slightly, his eyes

chal

close. He didn't move fast. Instead, he took his time, letting the moment jus

ng the chair's armrests, exuding a quiet, effortless dominance. His dark amber

, don't you?" Dante mused

k. "Only when I know

uckle. "In

thick now-something unseen

r of the

of them lo

looked like a man who owned everything he to

ce. His tanned face and skin were pro

ished. Every inch of him was calculated, desig

t call beautiful but handsome and made men

ground room, he l

and assessing like a predator deciding whet

Emilio knew-Dante ha

hat

tensed under that gaze. Hated that, for the first time

uldn't let

ulders "I assume you alr

stating. Not because it was char

Valencia." His voice was smooth, un

te's gaze, steady

o apologize," Emilio sa

but there was something sharpe

ssi's place, throwing his weight around. The bar owner owed a debt, and Luca decided to sett

tapping his fingers ag

h valuable to us. This isn't necessary. A reconciliation between the two men or an apology fro

vier than words. Then, he chuckled-a deep, rich s

alk in here and tell m

enough to see reason," E

e air in the room shifted. A subtle

You don't just want to survive in

de cloud his judgment or allow himself to be drawn

nte's gaze with quie

out playing," he s

hing deeper in his gaze now. Interest. C

dn't break

, almost bored. "Apologize and we walk away from this. No

if he already knew the answer. "Unless, of cours

wasn't

d fold if he would kneel just to keep his people safe. It would be ea

ed, and already convinced he had won, Emil

No

uldn't

ord here, it was submission. And if

y, but his voice remained s

e counting on him. If he refused, Dante would make good on his threat, and Emilio knew th

he apol

? Or would it mark the be

roat fel

g overhead light cast long shadows between them as if e

exhaled

was all it would

e bring himse

didn'

***

uld apologize or n

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