Mafia's Redemption: Terzo - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

TERZO
“I know it’s ridiculous to ask, but are you sure you wanna do it alone?” Dani had been edgy since we arrived back in the US yesterday. Like everybody else, she wanted to get this done so that we could move on with our lives.
“I have to, Dani.” So far, it had been uneventful for the last 48 hours in Sicily. I was hopeful we could get through this without killing each other, and this was what my father would have wanted before I became the don. He wanted me to focus on business once this tension between the two families was over. Then he could retire.
About the retirement, it put me in a tough position all the time. I’d been groomed to be his next in line, and I bragged about it that I was born ready. Right now, I didn’t think I would ever be.
No one could replace my father when it came to handling business and dealing with arrogance, greed, disrespect, and dishonest people. He dealt with them with his utter calmness, and I didn’t think I had that. In fact, I was aware I was his opposite.
My sister Maverick once told me that I had anger issues. Maybe I had, and I didn’t think that characteristic was something a good leader should have.
“Then maybe you should hire people from Osmium to intimidate Deckard a little.” She stood beside me and looked at myself in the mirror.
“Don’t I look intimidating enough?” I fixed my thousand-dollar suit, and I was proud it was Italian-made.
“Oh, you are super intimidating. Your eyes are enough to scare people away. You’re gonna be a good leader, Terzo.”
I faced her, smiling. “You think so?”
A proud smile spread across her lips. “I know so.” She then tiptoed to kiss me on the lips. “You don’t need a good luck but good luck, husband.”
“Thank you, beautiful.”
“I’m gonna be bored here while waiting for you to wrap your meeting up, so I’m gonna go and do my research.” She was already dressed in a simple casual outfit with her oversized blazer and her crossbag.
“Speaking of research, I haven’t received a call from Katie.” She should have been calling me yesterday for an update, but not a single text from her, nor had she seen my text messages, and she had me starting to worry.
“I’m sure she’s fine.”
“Yeah.” I hoped so because I couldn’t shake this feeling that something went wrong with the task I asked her to do. If something bad happened to Katie, that was on me, another person I cared about, to add to the list of my conscience.
Before I could open my mouth, she had already raised her finger and said, “I’m taking Tristan with me. Maybe we should check a museum or the oldest library.”
“Let me get this meeting done, then we can go check it together.”
“I’m sure you have more pressing matters to do.”
“Good luck on your research, and be careful.” The Medea book had been bugging her since we found out that was what her father had been looking for. Maybe it wasn’t the book, or maybe what was in that book was worth millions of dollars.
Once she left the apartment, Marco and Gio walked in wearing the same white shirt and black suit with matching ties.
“We went overboard with this whole bodyguard thing, did we?”
I shook my head in amusement as I fixed my tie. “Let’s go.”
The black sleek Mercedes sedan drove smoothly through the busy streets of New York, where I would meet Deckard Humphries in one of his family-owned restaurants.
The car was parked, and Gio went out to open the door for me. Honestly, we did this every day, not the dress up though, and I hated being the center of attention by dressing to impress. This was not who I was, but if this was the way to get what I wanted, then I had to make a few adjustments and sacrifice.
I buttoned my suit and discreetly surveyed the area.
One of Humphries’s bodyguards met me at the door. “Mr. Agustino.” Yes, I used one of my aliases. I could simply use Terzo de Silvano, my mother’s maiden name, but this alias was still active. He could look me up online, he would find a lot of interesting things about Damian Agustino from Milan, Italy. “Mr. Humphries is waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” I followed him through the aisle of the restaurant that would be operating in an hour.
At the corner, I instantly noticed Deck’s back and the messy blond hair. He stood up instantly, turned to me, and flashed his big, smug smile. The overconfident motherfucker who almost molested my Dani.
“Mr. Humphries.” I offered my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you in person. I’ve heard a lot about you and your family business.”
“Mr. Agustino.” He shook my hand firmly. A man who always had someone to do the job for him. Based on the softness of his hand, I doubt if he ever worked for his entire life. The only son of Dave Humphries, a rich real-estate and restaurateur mogul who became a governor and also a proud racist.
“I see you did your research.” He gestured for me to sit down.
“Yes, I do. I wanted to make sure my investment is in good hands, and— can I be honest with you?”
“Of course. Of course.” He snapped his fingers to call a staff.
“Let’s cut to the chase. I want my money to profit.”
“Isn’t that what we all want?” He beamed and then laughed. How could he laugh after almost molesting a woman?
“Exactly.”
The staff who came caught my attention. I blinked off the shock right away. What the fuck? What is she doing here?
“Espresso, sir. Double-shot. Just the way you like it.” Katie was carrying a tray and placed down two cups for us.
Katie was good at acting. She didn’t even look shocked or show recognition the moment she saw me, as if she was expecting me to arrive. This was either that she was caught and Humphries knew everything about me, or this was still a part of the task I asked her to do.
“Do you two know each other?” Humphries glanced at Katie and back at me. He shouldn’t be asking if he didn’t know anything. Something wasn’t right.