NINO
As the year passed, things quieted down for us. Adamo’s interest for our mother decreased slowly. He had visited her a couple more times. However, his last visit had been more than two months ago and his mood had improved considerably overall, which was good for him, but also good for Remo.
My older brother finally seemed to have conquered his obsession with Serafina, even if he definitely hadn’t forgotten her. Part of him probably still hoped she’d return to him. The problem with my brother was that if he allowed someone into his heart, he was a loyal fucker and never let them out again.
Kiara was decorating the entire home for our second Christmas together and baking almost all day. Our freezers were already stacked with Christmas cookies.
I regarded her as I worked on my computer on the sofa in the gaming room, finishing up last details for the upcoming grand race. She was rearranging the baubles on the tree for the third time, her forehead puckered.
This was a distraction strategy. We’d been sleeping with each other without protection for eleven months now and she still wasn’t pregnant. In the beginning she’d done a pregnancy test every month, but these last three months she’d stopped, or at least not told me about it.
I wasn’t sure how to lessen her sadness.
Putting the laptop to the side, I stood and headed over to her. I took a bauble from her and returned it to its previous spot on the tree. “It looked good there.”
Kiara sighed and gave me a small smile. “I know.”
I touched her cheek. “You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. That’s why it’s not working so far. Try to relax, to forget that you’re not using contraception.”
“I’m trying. I know it takes longer with some people, especially if they’re feeling stress, and I want this so much that I got obsessed. It was ridiculous how disappointed I was when I got my period after we’d been only trying to get pregnant for a few weeks …”
“We’ve got time,” I said.
Steps thundered through the house and Remo stormed inside, looking completely deranged. Savio was a few steps behind him, and his dark expression set off my inner alarm bells. “What’s the matter?”
Remo kicked the punching bag so hard the hook groaned and a bit of plaster fell to the floor.
“Cavallaro sent a fucking assassin to Kansas. He killed Russo,” Savio said.
Kiara was confused.
“Our Underboss in Kansas,” I explained, trying to understand the sensations taking hold of me—until I finally realized it was anger.
“Does Stefano know?” I asked Savio. Remo didn’t appear like he was in the mood to speak.
Savio shook his head, glancing toward Remo cautiously. “No, we just found out ourselves, and Stefano’s off looking for new prey.” He moved toward me. “Should I talk to him?”
“No,” Remo growled. “You and him hate each other’s guts.”
“I couldn’t give any less fucks about Stefano. He’s the one who can’t bear that someone’s prettier, not to mention more successful with the ladies, than him,” Savio said with a smirk.
“I’ll talk to him,” I said. “You both aren’t fit to tell someone they lost their brother.”
Remo nodded. “I’ll fly over to Kansas City right away to show presence. You come with me, Savio.”
“When will you be back?” I asked.
“Tomorrow. I don’t want to leave Las Vegas for long at the moment, not when Cavallaro’s discovered his fucking balls.”
I turned to Kiara. “I’ll have Fabiano come over to watch you.” Adamo wouldn’t come home from school for another three hours and Kiara needed protection. I sent Fabiano a quick text and as usual he arrived five minutes later.
“I’m starting to like these new living arrangements,” Fabiano said with a grin as he walked in, but sobered upon seeing our expressions. “What?”
“Cavallaro killed our Kansas Underboss.”
“Fuck,” Fabiano snarled. “That asshole. You want to strike back?” His eyes found Remo’s, because if anyone went on a crazy revenge mission then it would be my brother.
Remo bared his teeth. “Not yet, but we will, trust me. We will strike back.”
“Can you guard Kiara while I search for Stefano?”
Fabiano nodded. “How about you come over to my house? I want to catch a workout in my gym.”
Kiara nodded. “Of course. When will Leona be home?”
“In about two hours. She doesn’t have many courses today.”
Kiara and Leona had grown even closer since Fabiano had bought the villa beside ours and was our new neighbor. The previous owners had sold the house after some convincing from Remo. I kissed Kiara briefly then headed out to find Stefano. It wouldn’t be good if he found out from someone else. Word about what happened would already be spreading like wildfire among our men and it was only a matter of time before the Captains from Kansas called Stefano to give him their condolences and get in his good graces.