Veils of Thorns

fore Niccolo intercept

ve a p

slow breath. "O

voice was edged with something sharp. "It's t

"They want t

." Niccolo's jaw clenched. "Sant

ht Luca's

ss. He was a vulture. A kingmaker. He didn't come to

nose, his fingers tighten

tral ground. The old ci

od. "Then let's no

– The Ci

ith smoke and the s

a and Niccolo arrived. He was older than Luca, in his early forties, d

ing across his face. "Ah, the ne

Santino's gaze with the same cold calculation. This was a game, a

aning back. "You loo

You didn't ask for this

tured to the empty seat across from him

nto the chair. Niccolo remained standi

whiskey but didn't offer one to

ignor

patience of a predator. "I won't waste your time. You'r

"Is that supposed

what is news to you... is

brow. "Could

"Your father was a brute. A good one, but still a brute. You? You're differen

nd what does your versi

he DeLucas and the Scarpettis working together. You keep y

was an attractive o

fe somewhere in the deal, w

t out of this partn

business expansion. Some territory

chair. "You mean you wan

t deny it. "A

o, feeling the weight of Niccolo's presenc

face. He would have refused, started a wa

wasn't hi

wasn't

he table. "You want a piece of my empire?" His voi

t for a second. Then it returned, but the

sp

in a mock toast. "You've got

He simply held Santino's gaze un

ng down his glass. "Then I suppo

g his cuffs. "Enjoy

ut another word

they were back outside, the col

he spoke. "Th

s letting him think

him for a moment

won thi

to think Santino Scarpetti

only the