Chapter 43

"We should just send in an extraction team for the sister and be done with it. Let Dante sort out the rest of the bloody mess," argued Benedict as I opened the heavy oak door to the carved-out cave that passed for the formal office of the Cavalieri headquarters.

Barone responded. "I would agree, except we know damn well that Dante has no loyalty to us. He could lay that same bloody mess at our doorstep to deflect and distract."

Enzo raised his arm and gestured with his drink hand. "Hate to admit it, but it would be an elegant solution to his problem."

"Buon pomeriggio," I said as I stepped into the room.

The men rose.

Barone crossed first, hand out. "Sebastian, good of you to come."

"Always."

I nodded to the others.

Then I turned to Matteo. "You should head to the villa. Now."

He frowned. "Why? What's wrong?"

I accepted a hand-rolled cigarette from Cesare then cupped my hand over the match he struck to light it. Pulling back, I blew out a cloud of blue smoke, before saying, "I have a feeling your girl's about to do something very stupid."

With a curse, Matteo bolted out of the room.

After shaking Benedict's hand, I took the glass of Cynar he offered before unbuttoning my suit jacket and settling in one of the oxblood leather seats arranged around the ancient fireplace. "So, gentlemen. How many guns and men do you need?"