Chapter 30 The Delgado Deal
MARCO’S POV
The meeting room was thick with tension before anyone even spoke.
I sat beside Robert at the long table, watching as the Delgado family's head capo, a man named Salvatore with silver streaking through his dark hair and eyes like chips of obsidian, settled into his chair across from them.
His men flanked him on either side, their hands resting too close to their weapons.
Robert's jaw was already tight with barely concealed irritation.
"I was under the impression," Robert said coldly, "that the patriarch would be joining us for such an important discussion."
Salvatore smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "My words are the patriarch's words. You have my assurance that anything discussed here will be conveyed directly to him."
Robert scoffed, his disgust evident. "Convenient."
I could see this spiraling before it even began. I leaned forward, drawing attention away from Robert's bruised ego.
"Gentlemen," I said smoothly, "let's focus on the business at hand.”
Salvatore huffed, looking bored already. “Go ahead.”
“We're proposing a shipment arrangement that would benefit both our families significantly.” I said, leaning forward. “Particularly now that you're expanding your arms deliveries overseas."
Salvatore's eyes snapped to me. "How do you know about that?"
I allowed myself a small smirk. "Let's just say I make it my business to know things that matter."
For a moment, Salvatore just stared at me. Then he chuckled and it grew into full laughter, his head tilting back.
"Look at this little pup," he said, switching to Italian, his tone mocking but amused. "Acting all high and mighty."
He leaned forward, his eyes glinting. "How did you really know about that, cucciolo?"
Robert cut in before I could respond. "He's a pup with more bite than bark. I suggest you remember that."
Salvatore's expression shifted instantly. The amusement drained from his face, replaced by something cold. He turned to Robert, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Is this how you conduct business negotiations? With threats?"
His men moved immediately, hands sliding to the guns at their waists.
Robert's men responded as well, stepping forward and holding onto their weapons.
My heart jumped into my throat. Shit.
I should have anticipated this. I thought with an inward groan. Putting these two men in the same room was a mistake.
Robert leaned back in his chair, raising one hand in a placating gesture. "There's no need for anyone to get agitated. We're all mature men here, no? We can talk like adults."
Salvatore didn't move for a long moment. Then he huffed and gestured to his men to stand down. "Fine. Talk, then."
He turned his attention back to me, his expression still hard. "Expand on your offer, cucciolo."
I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to remain steady. "We're offering exclusive distribution rights for the northeastern territories. In exchange, we want access to your supply lines and..." I glanced at Robert. "Information."
"Information." Salvatore tapped his chin thoughtfully. "The offer is a steal. What kind of information are we talking about?"
Robert spoke before I could. "I want to know if Giovanni is serious about marrying my daughter. Will he truly wed her?”
Silence fell across the room.
Salvatore leaned back in his chair, studying Robert with an unreadable expression. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"Yes. He has claimed her already.”
Robert choked on his own breath. "What?"
I felt the blood drain from my face. I swallowed hard, my mind racing. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Salvatore laughed again, this time with genuine amusement. "Exactly what I said. Giovanni De Santis wants to marry your daughter. In fact…" He paused. "He's planning quite an elaborate ceremony."
My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. "I thought... we thought he was pranking us or-“
"Giovanni doesn’t play pranks, I assure you." Salvatore said, examining his fingernails with casual indifference.
Robert leaned forward, his knuckles white where they gripped the edge of the table. "When is the wedding?"
Salvatore smirked and reached into his jacket, pulling out a cigar. He took his time lighting it, letting the silence stretch, clearly enjoying the power he held in this moment.
I twitched with impatience, my leg bouncing under the table. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.
Finally, Salvatore took a long drag from his cigar and exhaled slowly, the smoke curling between them.
"I'm not going to give away that information for free," he said, his eyes glinting with calculated greed. "What are you offering me?"
I scoffed inwardly. Sly bastard.
"We've already offered you distribution rights," Robert said, his voice tight. "That's worth…"
"That's worth access to my supply lines," Salvatore interrupted. "The wedding date is additional information. It requires additional compensation."
My mind was racing. Weneeded that date. If Giovanni was actually planning a wedding, we needed to know when and where.
But what could we offer that would satisfy Salvatore without leaving us vulnerable?
"Name your price," Robert said.
Salvatore smiled, leaning back in his chair. "I want a percentage of the profits from the northeastern distribution. Twenty percent."
"That's…" Robert started.
"And," Salvatore continued, speaking over him, "I want assurances that when this situation with De Santis is resolved, the Vitale family will remember who helped them in their time of need."
I understood immediately. Salvatore wanted to position the Delgado family as allies who could call in favors later.
It was dangerous but smart.
"Ten percent," I countered. "And the assurances you've requested."
Salvatore considered it, rolling the cigar between his fingers. "Fifteen percent. Non-negotiable."
I looked at Robert, who gave a tight nod.
"Fine," I said. "Fifteen percent. Now tell us when the wedding is."
Salvatore's smile widened, showing too many teeth. "Tomorrow," he said simply.
The word hit me like a physical blow.
"Tomorrow?" Robert repeated, his voice rising. "The wedding is tomorrow and you're only telling us now?"
"You only asked me now," Salvatore pointed out with maddening logic.
My mind was reeling. We had until tomorrow to figure out what to do, and whether we could even get close enough to…
"Where?" I asked, my voice hoarse. "Where is it happening?"
Salvatore took another long drag from his cigar. "That," he said slowly, "is going to cost you extra."
I slammed my hand on the table, making everyone jump. "You greedy son of a…"
"We will give you cargo.” Robert said calmly. "A cargo of weapons. Take it or leave it."
I whipped to face Robert but he didn’t spare me a glance, judging from the way his jaw was ticking, he was fighting his own fury.
Salvatore leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I’ll have to speak with my boss, hear what he has to say."
“We don’t have time, Salvatore.” Robert snipped. “I expect a response before the end of today.”
“Of course.” He stood, buttoning his jacket. "Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Vitale.”
As Salvatore and his men filed out of the room, I sat frozen, my mind trying to process everything we had just learned.