Chapter 7 - Rebuilding the Empire
With Salvo gone and the traitors rooted out, I turned my attention back to legitimate business. The criminal underworld in Italy was a shark tank; if you show weakness for even a second, the rest of the pack will tear you apart. Walking away from the Venetian deal had signaled to some that Nicolo Vane was losing his edge.
It was time to remind them why my family had ruled these coasts for generations.
Matteo walked into my study late one evening, carrying a thick leather-bound ledger. "Nico, the maritime council in Genoa is asking for a meeting. They want to know if we're still interested in acquiring the northern shipping lanes—the ones Dante Conte tried to hijack through shell companies."
I looked up from the documents I was signing. "Dante thought he could bypass me by using Salvo as an internal mole. Now that Salvo is halfway across the Atlantic, Dante has no leverage."
"Exactly," Matteo smiled grimly. "His network is exposed. If we move now, we can acquire those shipping lanes at a fraction of the cost."
"Set up the meeting," I instructed. "Not in Venice. Not in Rome. Here, at the estate. Let them come to my house, on my terms."
"Understood," Matteo said, turning to leave.
"And Matteo?"
He paused at the door. "Yes, boss?"
"Make sure the security detail is doubled around the east wing. I want no chances taken."
May you like
"Already done, Nico."
The phone on my desk—the secure one, the one only Nora could call—sat quietly beside the heavy brass inkwell. It hadn't rung since that rainy night in Naples, and I knew it wouldn't need to. The castle was safe.
