Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

Dario whipped his head around to glare at Stefano. “Names,” he snapped abruptly. “Do you have proof of this?”

“I don’t make accusations without proof,” Stefano said. “Nicoletta told us what happened. She was threatened by these men because she saw them bringing the drugs into the shop and she protested. One of them pushed her into the wall. Fortunately, she was taught to defend herself and she was able to get away and call for help.”

Vittorio flicked a look at Taviano’s grim face. While Grace was in the hospital, Vittorio had heard there was an attempted assault on Nicoletta at the flower shop. The family had been elated that she’d coded in the alarm she had on her wristwatch. Taviano had been the first to get to her and had stopped the attacker’s pursuit. Later, Taviano had confirmed he’d retaliated.

“I imagine these two men who were stupid enough to put their hands on your ward are the ones who have disappeared,” Giuseppi said dryly.

“I wouldn’t know about that,” Stefano said. “I was out of town at the time.”

“Nicoletta is not just Stefano’s ward,” Taviano said. “She is also, and more importantly, my fiancée. It seems that not only was Vittorio’s fiancée targeted, but mine as well.”

Dario shook his head. “That’s impossible. Nicoletta isn’t wearing your ring. There’s been no announcement.”

“We do not bring attention to our women if we can help it,” Stefano said. “The media attention is brutal as you well know.”

“What I know is, you spend half your life screwing women on the pages of a tabloid,” Dario snarled, his dark eyes challenging Taviano. “This is bullshit.”

“What’s bullshit is the Saldi family conducting business in our territory,” Stefano snapped. “And threatening our women. I want it stopped. If it doesn’t stop, I can only assume you are declaring war between our families.”

“It will stop,” Giuseppi said. “I want the list of names, everyone you have, along with the proof. I need to put a stop to this now. A hard stop to it.” He glared at his younger brother. “This has put our family in a bad light. Our word is our bond. Our honor.”

Stefano inclined his head. “I want all drugs removed from my territory. I also want your word of honor that no trafficking of any kind, especially human, will ever be conducted in our territory.”

“You have my word,” Giuseppi said solemnly. “I speak for our family.”

“I want the word of every Saldi in this room,” Stefano said. “Specifically, I want to hear them say it aloud to us.”

Vittorio felt the warrior in him rising. He felt every one of his brothers go on alert as he was doing. Stefano’s demand bordered on insult. He was all but declaring he didn’t believe Giuseppi spoke for his family.

Val protested immediately. “My father has given his word of honor.”

“Perhaps, but it wasn’t Giuseppi’s men invading my territory, selling drugs or kidnapping women to sell them to the highest bidder,” Stefano said coolly.

Vittorio watched Val out of the corner of his eye, but he kept his gaze fixed on Tommaso. At Stefano’s demand, Tommaso flicked a quick glance at his father. Miceli rose with great dignity. He inclined his head at Stefano.

“I take full responsibility for what is clearly a mutiny in the ranks of my men. Lando Gori and Ale Sarto have always been trusted employees. More like family. I gave them more and more duties while my sons attended college. Now, my boys are home again, and I have spent time with them that was missed while they were gone. It is clear that there has been some kind of mistaken attempt to take in more territory. Perhaps I didn’t make it clear to these men that the Ferraro territory was out of bounds. I can give my word as a Saldi, for me and for my sons, that we will not conduct any business, drugs or trafficking in the Ferraro territory.”

He looked dramatic. He sounded utterly sincere. He also had that note in his voice that told Vittorio he was lying. Vittorio flicked a glance at Stefano, who inclined his head at Miceli, who sank gracefully into his seat and folded his arms across his chest.

Val rose. “I will never, under any circumstances, conduct family business, including the sale of drugs or trafficking of any kind, including women, in Ferraro territory.” He kept his gaze on Emmanuelle’s face. His voice rang with sincerity.

She paled but she didn’t even deign to lift her lashes to look at him.

Miceli’s sons made their promises. Dario sounded sincere, and Vittorio couldn’t hear any lie, but Angelo and Tommaso echoed their father’s strange, off-putting note.

Stefano was gracious after that, turning all smiles, although a bit grim.

Giuseppi rose. “Thank you for your patience, Stefano. Again, I apologize for my family’s indiscretions. I must get back to Greta, so if you will excuse us, I have quite a lot to do before I can see my wife.” The last was said almost as an accusation at his brother. “If you don’t mind, Stefano, again I would ask that you provide another copy of the list of names of anyone who has been involved in this conspiracy, as well as the proof.”