Page 61 of Hades’ Revenge

“He’s been laying low for a few years. I thought he was planning to retire.” Romero motioned toward his brothers. “I’m sure you’re aware that your presence here doesn’t sit well with us.”

“I can assure you I’m not here to interfere with your business.”

“Are you here to do a job?” Romero asked.

“I am not,” I said. “My reasons for being here are personal.”

“Do those personal reasons include your goddaughter?” Gio smirked. “I’m not judging.”

“Gio.” Romero shook his head. “Please forgive my brother. He can be an idiot at times, but he does see things for what they are.”

“I’d rather not discuss Capri.” She was already a target for Lazaro. I didn’t need her on Bilotti’s radar too. The sooner I removed her from this city, the better off we would all be.

“I don’t care what you’re doing with Ferrante’s daughter. I don’t want problems in my territory.”

“Hades isn’t here to cause disruptions for you,” Atticus said. “We don’t plan on staying in America long.”

“Romero.” I could see his father’s fierceness in his eyes, but he had a more-controlled approach. The reason I agreed to take this meeting was so I didn’t have to look over my shoulder during my stay. “Is there something specific you need from me?”

“Not at the moment,” he said. “But if Lazaro becomes an issue for me, I need to know you will be available for your special skill set.”

“You want to hire me?”

“You come highly recommended.”

“I didn’t come to the city to work, and it isn’t my intention to be here long.” I stood and buttoned my jacket. “But if I can’t resolve the situation that I did come here to put a stop to, then I might be in a position to work something out with you.”

“If you find yourself in that position,” Romero said, “you’re not going to get any resistance from me. I wanted you to know that.”

Eliminating Lazaro would work in Romero’s favor. If Lazaro and Leo joined forces, that could cause problems for Romero and his organization. The Bilotti brothers didn’t want competition. Leo may have been an ally to them in the past, but if Lazaro stepped out of line, Romero wouldn’t hesitate to take Leo down too. Another reason why I had to get Capri out of here. If a war erupted, I could keep her safer in Greece.

“I appreciate that, but as I said, I’m looking to resolve this as quickly and as reasonably as possible.”

As much as I wanted to see Leo suffer for the things he had done to me, Capri would be shattered if her father became a casualty in the brutal life he had chosen. I didn’t want that blood on my hands.

What was Leo thinking when he joined forces with Benny? Why was he sacrificing his daughter? I didn’t really need the details. I just had to find a way to stop it, and today I learned that I had the backing of the most powerful man in New York.

“I respect you, Hades.” Romero stood. “Your reputation precedes you. I hope that I can call on you in the future should I require your services.”

“I appreciate you letting me know that there won’t be any pushback if I have to do what has to be done.” I shook Romero’s hand. “And I wouldn’t object to helping you in the future.”

“I had a feeling we’d be on the same side.” He patted my shoulder. “I had to make sure of your intentions.”

“I hope you’re satisfied that I’m back to take care of issues of my own. I’m not here to cause problems for you.”

“I am.” He pointed toward the hall that led to the exit. “Thank you for agreeing to check your weapons at the door.”

“One can never be too careful.” I headed toward the hall with Atticus by my side.

“Especially when meeting with an assassin of your caliber.” Romero smirked. “If you wanted to come at me, you would have found a way without your weapon.”

“Which is why I know where every one of your guards are positioned at this particular moment.” I gazed around the bar, making a mental note of how many men I would have been up against if I had made a move. Ten.

“Which is why I would hire you in a heartbeat if I needed you.”

“I look forward to a possible association.”

Atticus and I retrieved our guns from the guards at the door before leaving the club.