Page 65 of Lost Prince

We park and walk toward the meeting area at the port. The hairs on my neck rise. I have that unsettling sensation of being watched again. I glance around, scanning the area, but see nothing out of the ordinary.

"You alright?" Matteo asks, noticing my unease.

I nod, not wanting to voice my paranoia. "Yeah, just thinking."

As we make our way toward the meeting point, the feeling of being followed intensifies. I resist the urge to look over my shoulder, instead focusing on our surroundings. The docks are relatively quiet at this hour, with only a few workers milling about.

Rinella comes into view, flanked by two of his men. I cast one last look around to the shadows between shipping containers, searching for any sign of movement.

Matteo greets Rinella, but I hang back slightly, my senses on high alert. The conversation fades into background noise as I strain to catch any sound out of place.

Matteo bumps my shoulder and gives me a look to pay attention. I turn to Rinella and smile.

“You met with my daughter today.”

“I did.” I’m not sure what more to say.

Rinella’s eyes narrow as he studies me. “My daughter called when she left and said you were polite and kind to her.”

“I enjoyed talking with her.” I just don’t want to marry her.

“What’s going on that you need our help?” Matteo butts in, and I’m glad. I don’t want to talk about this impending marriage.

Rinella explains the situation. Apparently, one of his suppliers has been getting ideas about renegotiating their deal. As Rinella speaks, I realize that I’m not here for my diplomatic skills. I’m here to put the fear into this guy.

"We need to send a message," Rinella says, his eyes boring into mine. "Remind him who he's dealing with."

My stomach churns. This is what they want from me, to be the enforcer, the monster everyone fears. I glance at Matteo, hoping for some sign that there's another way, but his expression is impassive.

Rinella escorts us to a darker, more secluded part of the docks, where a few more of his men hold another man who is struggling to get out of their grip.

“What do you need us for?” I ask.

“Call it a down payment on Elio’s commitment to our agreement.”

“More like a test,” Matteo says under his breath.

I don't want to be this person, but even as I think that, I can feel the adrenaline building, coursing through my veins. There’s a familiarity to it.

The man sneers at me as I approach him.

“Do you know who I am?” I ask.

“Fuck you.” He makes a hawking sound, but I grab his face, pinching his mouth so tight it’s possible I could rip his jaw off.

“If you spit on me, you’re dead.” I push his head back hard as the men holding him laugh.

“I’m Lazaro D’Amato.”

The man blanches as my name registers with him. “You’re dead.”

“Nope. I’m here because I hear you've been causing problems for Rinella."

The man looks between me and Rinella. “You working for him now?”

“It’s more of a partnership,” I say. “He’s asked me to negotiate these new terms you’re so greedy to demand.”

“Wh–What terms? Everything is fine.”