Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I elbow Ronan in the ribs. “I don’t talk like that.”
“Sure you do.” He grins, rubbing his side. “You just don’t realize it.”
“Enough.” Adam’s tone is not amused. Not even a little bit. He slams his hands down on the table and all our glasses jump. Julien says something in French, and it doesn’t sound happy. “Marco has been right all this time. The Biancos must be dealt with, and we cannot do it alone. You may sit there, Dusan, and think you are exempt, but you are not. They came for me first, but once I’m gone, they’ll come for you next, because you’ll be an easier target without my help.”
“I’ve handled worse than a drive-by.” Dusan doesn’t seem like he’s going to give an inch.
And Adam doesn’t seem to care. “We have to strike first. The only thing the Biancos understand is force. Luciano Santoro understood that once.”
“Santoro’s dead,” Dusan says and glances at me. “No offense.”
“I’m aware that he’s dead.” I grind my jaw and throw back the shitty alcohol. It burns all the way down. “But Adam’s wrong. We can’t just start killing Bianco soldiers, not without a plan. We need caution.”
Or do we? Or am I only saying that because I don’t want to get into a conflict anymore, and I don’t know how to back away without seeming like a traitor?
“The time for caution is over. We need strength.” Adam glares at me before turning his passion over toward Dusan. “You know as well as I do how to handle a bully. You punch first, and you punch hard. You make yourself bigger, in order to make them think twice about targeting you. The Biancos are simply playground bullies with more capital and more weapons, and we need to punch them in the nose.”
Dusan grunts in response and I can tell he’s starting to come around. The whole situation seems like it’s spiraling out of my control, if I ever had control to begin with. Nominally, in theory at least, I should be the leader of this group, but now it’s Adam pushing for aggression while I’m trying to make them slow down and think twice.
It’s maddening. I don’t even recognize myself anymore.
And yet I try again. “The Biancos aren’t some average gang. They’re a sophisticated network. The moment we start shooting is the moment they turn around and crush us. We have to be smart.”
“Smart was for before. Now we must be strong.” Adam stares at me with an expression that suggests he no longer thinks I’m fit to run these meetings.
The rest of the evening is spent arguing. Julien seems interested in a fight, while Dusan refuses to commit to anything. Ronan, as always, makes jokes and sideways comments, and seems to be willing to back whatever I suggest, including caution this time around.
After we finish arguing with each other, the group leaves in stages. I find myself walking out with Adam after the others have all gone, and the big Polish man doesn’t say anything until we’re out on the sidewalk.
“I’m not going to wait for your approval,” he says, staring at me. His face is determined, and his lips are set in a hard frown. “I don’t know what changed, but a month ago you would’ve been salivating at the idea of taking the fight to the Biancos. Now, you’re practically begging us to back down.”
“I think you’re being rash. That’s all.” I glare at him, meeting his gaze and holding it. I refuse to back down, even if he’s partially right. I don’t like the way he’s characterizing my behavior, but I definitely am trying to get them all to see sense and take things slow.
If he knew about my relationship with Laura, he’d understand why.
“I’ll say it again. I’m going on the offensive. I’m already planning an attack, and Julien and Dusan will both help when the time comes. I suspect Ronan will too, even though he’s your friend, because he’s smarter than he lets on and he knows I’m right.” Adam steps closer, glaring into my eyes. “I don’t know what changed for you, Marco, but I will not hesitate to leave you behind.”
“This alliance was my idea,” I say, snarling in his face. The argument is weak but it’s the best I have.
“And it was a good idea. Now follow through.” Adam stares me down before brushing past and walking over to a waiting car. He gets in and the driver takes off, leaving me behind to stew.
That did not go fucking well. Not well at all. Except it did, and Adam’s right—a month ago, this meeting seemed basically impossible, and I would’ve killed to have it. Now though, all I want to do is slow them down, because I don’t know where I’m going to end up once the guns are drawn.