I walk into Mrs. Romano's house like I own the place. My heels click with authority on the tile floors. I glide directly into Mrs. Romano's parlor and sit down in the chair facing her. I cross my legs and wait politely as she turns to greet me.

The first step to my plan is to take care of Mrs. Russo. I can't have her breathing down my neck and I don't need the distraction. Plus, it might provide some extra leverage.

“Cara Savio,” Mrs. Romano says, turning to face me. She's around Mrs. Russo's age, but heavyset. Her dark hair is clearly dyed and she wears bright red lipstick that clashes with her skin. However, her eyes are sharp and bright. She is a woman who has done the mafia family dance for decades. She is not to be underestimated.

“Thank you for meeting me, Mrs. Romano,” I say respectfully. “I appreciate it.”

She shrugs like it's nothing, but her eyes don't leave mine. “You said you have business to discuss?”

I nod. “I have recently learned that you are in possession of some rather embarrassing photographs of my soon to be mother in law.”

Her eyebrows raise slightly. “And you think, what? That I'll just give them to you?”

I smile and shake my head. “Of course not. They are valuable. They give you leverage. I'm willing to purchase them.”

“They aren't for sale,” she replies.

“Everything is for sale,” I tell her. “I know that you are using them to blackmail Mrs. Russo into giving you her son's hand in marriage. I'm going to tell you it won't work. Mrs. Russo doesn't have that kind of leverage over her son, no matter what she's told you.”

“A mother's desire for her child is not something that is easily removed,” Mrs. Romano tells me. She clearly thinks she still has a chance.

I decide to use my strongest weapon. “I can understand that. I'm about to be a mother myself.”

Mrs. Romano does a double take. She looks down at my stomach then back up at me.

“Yes. I'm pregnant. Dante Russo is the father,” I tell her. I smile and cock my head slightly to the side. “Do you really think that he's going to leave me, the mother of his child, because his mother says to?”

Mrs. Romano's face darkens. “I guess the photographs are for sale.”

I smile, but it's not kind. I am the master of this situation.

“I can offer you money,” I tell her. “And, I'll offer you something worth more. Mrs. Russo tried to screw me. I don't take kindly to that.”

Her ears perk up, but her dour expression doesn't change. “And what are you offering?”

I give her a predatory grin. “Power.”

Her expression moves from upset to interested. “Go on.”

“I'll pay you for the photographs,” I tell her. “But, I'm looking to expand my territory. With the Russos and Savios combined, there's an opportunity.”

“I'm listening,” she says, crossing her arms.

“I want to deal with your family,” I tell her. “I need more strength on the docks. We're expecting to move more goods with the marriage in place. I want to let the Romanos in as a show of good faith.”

Mrs. Romano's face gives her away. Joining the Russos on the docks was the goal of marrying the Russos. The Romanos and the Russos both vied for the docks, but if they worked together, they would be unstoppable.

“Basically, I'm offering an alliance rather than a marriage,” I tell her. “You get what you want. I get Dante. Your daughter doesn't have to marry a man she doesn't like.”

Mrs. Romano strokes her chin. I know she's pretending to think this over but that she's already decided to to it. It's a good deal.

“I'll need sixty percent,” she tells me. That's when I know she's in. It's just haggling now.

We're negotiating now. The fact that she's willing to talk means that the deal is on. Now it's just specifics. It takes some time, but we come to the agreement we both knew was going to happen

“Fifty-fifty. Whatever you bring in is yours and whatever we bring in is ours, but we work together and split the work,” I say.

She nods in agreement. “We both win.”

“Exactly.” I reach for my purse. “And as for the photos?”

I pull out a stack of cash. It's mostly symbolic now that we have the business deal made. She takes my money and goes to a desk drawer. She pulls out a thumb drive and hands it to me.

“I wouldn't look at them,” she tells me. “Not unless you have a strong stomach.”

I take the thumb drive. I'll have Ethan check them and make sure they are authentic. I don't want to see my mother in law having sex.

“It's been a pleasure doing business with you,” I tell her with a smile. I actually mean the smile this time.

“Likewise,” Mrs. Romano says. “Oh, and as a gesture of goodwill, I have some information for you.”

I pause, my ears perking up. “I'm listening.”

“I know that you've increased patrols on the north side of town,” she replies. “In response to the increase in unwilling escorts.”

I wonder for a moment how she found that out, but if I could find out her secrets, she could find out mine.

“And?”

“Mrs. Russo is behind it. She needs the extra cash. The rest of the family isn't involved. Just her and a couple of goons looking for a quick payday.”

My eyebrows raise. This is a surprise. “Why are you telling me this?”

Mrs. Romano's eyes glitter with malice. “That woman tried to screw me. As you said, I don't appreciate that.”

The two of us smile at one another. This relationship will be profitable. Loyalty based on common goals is stronger than money, as the senator said.

“I look forward to working with you,” I say. I mean it.

Mrs. Romano nods. “Likewise. I think we have a very profitable future together.”