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“As I said before, Franco. Depends on who you ask.”
Rand stares out the window, as Makaio drives along I-93, heading back toward the Manor. He hasn’t said a word since we left Boston. Not that he would. If anyone knows how crazy I am, it’s him.
“You believe it was foolish of me to cut ties.”
Clearing his throat, he drags his attention from the window, but doesn’t bother to meet my gaze. “Reckless perhaps, but not foolish.”
“If I’m to run this company, this mess my father left me, the days of financing criminals are over.”
“I understand. I just wish … you would have consulted me. I feel useless in these matters, Lucian.” The gulp of his throat betrays his boldness.
I respect his honesty, though.
“You’d have told me not to do it. Just as you advised my father to stay co
“For his own protection. Not because I agreed with the arrangement.”
“Look at my face. Look at me.”
He lifts his chin in the same indignant ma
“Do I look like a man who has anything left to fear? I’ve lost a wife and my only son. There isn’t a man who can look me in the eyes without flinching. If they decide to retaliate, I’ve got nothing to lose.”
“With all due respect, Master, your decisions affect more than just yourself. They affect all of us. I don’t have access to the kinds of funds it would take to protect myself against a family like the Scarpinatos.”
Leaning back against the seat, I stare out the window at the green blur of trees that pass on the highway. “They’re not stupid. I expect they’ll try to negotiate.”
“To which I expect you’ll decline.”
“Of course. In the meantime, Franco is anticipating a shipment this week, worth over a million. I want it dumped offshore, watertight containers, far enough that their fleets can’t sweep for it. We’ll hang onto it for a bit, and when they realize how crippling it would be to lose it altogether, I suspect they’ll play nice.”
“I wasn’t aware of this shipment.”
“Neither was I. Your second task this week is to find out who dropped the ball and can his ass.”
“I’ll look into the matter, Master.”
“Good. In the meantime, don’t worry about Franco Scarpinato. He’s my problem. And I don’t let problems fester for long.”