By Fate I Conquer (Sins of the Fathers #4)(45)

I watched him quietly as I sat cross-legged on his bed. In the beginning when I’d realized why the three of them went out at night, I’d asked him to stop but eventually I’d realized he needed this like I needed ballet, as a way to deal with his demons.

“Would you ever leave our family?”

Nevio stopped and gave me an incredulous look. “For nothing in this world.”

“Not even if you fell in love?”

Nevio came toward me, his eyes burning with intensity. “If I ever thought there was someone who’d make me consider leaving our family and the Camorra, I’d kill her before she turned me into a traitor of everything that matters.”

“Don’t say something like that. You don’t mean it.”

He got down on his knees before me and his expression terrified me. “I’m fucking serious, Greta. Our family is everything. Nothing deserves to take its prime spot.”

I sighed. “You always think in extremes.”

“Maybe, but some things are just black and white. No reason to sugarcoat it.”

Nevio’s expression turned playful. “You need to stop reading all this shit about emotions. Sometimes it’s better not to have and understand them.”

I rolled my eyes and got up. “Be careful tonight.”

I always said these parting words even if they were unnecessary. My heart felt heavy as I returned to my bedroom. Nevio’s words had only confirmed what Nino had said, what I’d known all along.





I turned on my phone when the airplane landed in Las Vegas. Several messages popped up on my screen. I ignored the ones from Cressida and Dad asking where I was.

I had several missed calls and two messages from Marcella.

You stupid idiot, they’ll kill you. Turn on your brain for once.

Amo, please don’t be stupid.

Then there was a message from Maximus.

I should have come with you. You need back up. Fuck, they’re going to kill you.

If I’d brought Maximus with me that would have sent the wrong message. It was better this way, me going alone. Maybe it was stupidity. Maybe it was suicidal, but I’d made up my mind and nothing would stop me now. Definitely not Dad, because he had no clue what I was doing.

The last week since my conversation with Dad my resolve had only grown, but I’d hidden it from him. The only people who knew of my plan were Maximus and Marcella. Both had tried to talk me out of it until I’d boarded the airplane.

When I left the airport, I stepped foot on Las Vegas ground not as future Capo of the Famiglia. I was here privately. I’d tried to come up with a plan to make this go as smoothly as possible. There really was no handbook on how to approach a family of murderous sociopaths.

I called Fabiano. He picked up after the third ring.

“I’m at the airport in Las Vegas. Can you pick me up?”

Silence.

“I wasn’t informed that you and Luca would be coming over for a meeting.”

“I’m here unannounced and I’m alone.”

“This is the only time I’ll speak as your uncle and not as part of the Camorra, and you better listen well. Turn around and fly back to New York.”

“You don’t know why I’m here. I could be asking to join the Camorra.”

Fabiano chuckled dryly. “Ask for a bullet, that’s more likely to happen.”

“Are you going to pick me up or do I have to hail a fucking taxi to take me to Falcone mansion?”

“I’ll be there in thirty minutes. You better be gone by then.”




A black Mercedes S-class pulled up at the curb where I waited. The windows were tinted so I couldn’t see who was inside. I opened the back door and slipped in.

Fabiano turned briefly and let out a harsh laugh, shaking his head. “You inherited your father’s lack of control in certain matters.”

I ignored his comment and regarded the man in the passenger seat who didn’t turn around but watched me with cold eyes through the back mirror. Nino Falcone.

“Nino.”

His lips barely moved and his expression was emotionless. The locks clicked into place. “Amo.”

I leaned back. “Are you not going to ask me why I’m here?”

Nino motioned at Fabiano who pulled the car away from the airport.

I nodded. “Am I going to get a special Camorra treatment for breaching your territory without permission?”

He didn’t say anything.

“The mansion? Or where does Remo want him?” Fabiano asked.

“Take him to the Sugar Trap.”

Fabiano’s expression told me he hadn’t expected that. We drove in silence for the rest of the way. I was surprisingly calm. If this was what it took to get Greta, then I’d gladly brave torture, even if Nino’s talents were feared even among mobsters.

We arrived in the street before the notorious Camorra establishment. Strip club upstairs, torture chamber downstairs.

“You won’t give us trouble, I assume?” Nino asked.

“I’ll behave.”

Nino nodded once and got out then he opened the door for me.

“My brother’s dream has always been to break your father. I’ve never shared his aspirations.”

“I can assure you whatever your plans are for me, it won’t break my father. Marcella’s kidnapping didn’t break us either.”