Ruthless Spring

Hearing someone issue a threat in a calm tone is scarier than yelling.

"That's enough," the older man says, holding out a hand. "We came here to make peace tonight, not war." He spares a look at Diamond, whose eyes narrow before he sits back in his seat, backing off.

I look at Giovanni, his gaze still on Diamond. His lips are turned down at the corners, but otherwise his face is blank.

"My son understands he shouldn't have come to your club without permission and we're willing to ignore the body that fell because of it. I think that makes us even, but is there anything else that you believe could completely square us up?" he asks, looking at Giovanni. Something in his tone isn’t exactly genuine but it isn’t challenging either. From the gleam in his eye, he knows that he’s toeing the line.

It seems his son isn’t the only one who’s unstable.

Giovanni props his elbow up on the table, his fingers balling into a fist. His gaze locks onto the older man. "You didn't come to me after it happened, I had to reach out to you, and we both know how disrespectful that is."

The man shrugs a shoulder lazily before sitting back in his seat. "I'm sorry. I'm a busy man and from what I hear, you've had your hands full with the cartel lately, but again I apologize. It won't happen again."

Again, his tone isn’t blatantly disrespectful but it’s also clear he isn’t taking it seriously, as if he’s trying to bait Giovanni.

Diamond shoots a look at his father and it's clear that he isn't on board with whatever route his father has chosen to take. The look on his face reminds me a bit of Scar's right before he killed Mufasa.

His gaze snaps to mine and he tilts his head, studying me. I quickly look away from him even as his gaze continues to burn into the side of my face.

Giovanni’s face doesn’t shift. "The cartel problem won't be one for too much longer."

"Oh?" the man asks, leaning forward and raising a brow. "Why is that?"

"Because I'm ready for a war if it comes to it," Giovanni says sharply, his eyes narrowing. "What I need to know is that I can count on you if I need to. I've heard whispers that you've been in talks with the Ramos Cartel and what I need to know is what side of this you're on."

The man smiles and taps his fingers on the table. "Those whispers you've heard are just that. You know this business, we've got to keep all of our options open. Lately, we've been looking at... expanding the business, and Diamond met with one of the Ramos men to see what they had to offer. But if they're going to war with you, then we won't be doing business with them. We do have a treaty after all."

"Treaties are easily broken." Giovanni's voice is slightly different, and I can't tell what it is, but I'm not the only one to take note of it as Vito's gaze jerks toward him.

"Still reminiscing on the past are you, Costa?" Diamond asks. His father looks at him, his face falling, but he ignores the look. "Don't worry, my father plans on keeping peace with you while he's still in charge."

Even I can pick up on the implication of his words, and I wonder if the man has a death wish. But I also can't help but wonder about what happened in the past.

"I'm sure we'll renegotiate the day your father decides to step down, but that day hasn't come yet and I'm speaking to him right now.” Giovanni looks at the older man. “Put a muzzle on your son or I'll do it."

The room goes deadly silent.

My skin warms and my heart jackhammers in my chest. If this is what peace looks like between these two groups, I'd hate to see the opposite.

"Diamond," the man finally says. He looks at his son, his voice harsh. "Do not interrupt again."

Diamond's eyes narrow but he keeps his lips shut.

"You can count on us," the man says. He leans back in his seat and his eyes move to me again. "And when you tire of this mistress of yours, I'd be willing to negotiate to take her off your hands," he says.

Bile rises in my throat and my leg bounces as I try to keep my breathing normal. I don't want to show how much this man scares me. There’s this treacherous look in his eyes and the sinister smile on his lips promises malice. He gives me worse vibes than his son.

I'd rather stay with the devils I halfway know.

Vito shifts in his seat and opens his mouth, but Giovanni speaks over him, cutting him off. "She's not up for negotiation."

"Maybe not now," the man says with a careless shrug. "But I understand you've made certain promises to Sheffield, and soon you'll tire of this one." His eyes roam over me again before flicking back to Giovanni. "I've never heard of you being into black women anyway, seems a bit... different," he finally settles on.

"We all need change sometime," Giovanni says, unfazed. He looks at me and it feels like he’s staring right into my soul, making my heart beat quickly. His thumb traces across his lips and a chill moves through my body. His eyes narrow slightly, catching the movement. He turns his attention back to the man. "But like I said, she's not up for negotiation."

"So you say," the man drawls. His gaze returns to me. "When he dumps you on the streets sweetheart, give me a call. We're always looking for fresh dark meat around here."