CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

"We're done then," he said, pushing his chair away and standing up. He fixed his suit and moved toward the doors, but Antonov's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Boss, there's something I don't understand. Why are you stressing when you can ask Vladimir for assistance? He has always loved you, and I am sure he would mind extending his alliance. Also, having Natasha here is such a bad idea. She should have been left in the hospital under protection. What if something else happened, who would protect her?"

"Shut up, Antonov," Matteo warned, but it was too late.

Lorenzo swiveled around and lunged for Antonov, clutching at his throat and pushing him hard against the wall.

"You dare question my leadership?" he roared, squeezing his windpipe until his face began to turn purple.

His eyes rolled back in his head, but Lorenzo didn't let go. Matteo didn't dare to move from his stand or else he would have gotten a bullet put to his head.