I rest my hand on the top of her head, tracing the memory of her so no matter what happens, I hold her with me.
My eyes fall on the rose tat on my arm. A vivid reminder of the vows I’ve taken that mean everything.
I leave her sleeping deeply, and check on Natalia next. She’s asleep as well, tucked up against her stuffed animals, a fluffy pink blanket tucked under her chin. I’ve always envied the way a child can sleep so undisturbed, without the worries of the world wearing them down. I kiss the curly top of her head, and tuck the blanket back around her shoulders.
I change into clean clothes in the guest room and check my messages.
Tavi: Romeo gets out today. Flynt worked his magic. Meeting downstairs ASAP, all made men report to me ASAP
Fuck.
On the one hand, we want Rome out. But the truth is, if Romeo’s out that means whoever’s been threatening our safety could act at any moment. They could feel as if their time is up. If I know Romeo, and I like to think I do, he’ll come up with his fists swinging. Not that I fucking blame him at all.
And Romeo will want to move forward. Solidify his plan to wed Rosa to a Campanelle, because joining forces through marriage makes us nearly impenetrable.
I love Romeo like a brother and want him out of jail, but the small window of time we had is at an end.
With one final glance at Rosa and Natalia’s closed doors, I know I have to let them be. I check in with the guard at the door, close it quietly, and head downstairs to check in with Tavi.
We meet in the war room with cups of espresso. Staff’s brought platters of croissants and muffins, but none of us touch them. Tempers are taut. Everyone’s on edge.
“Fill us in, Tav,” Mario says. Mario’s the only one who reaches for the platter of pastry and takes three large croissants onto a plate. He takes a big bite, flakes falling from his mouth like rain. “What’s up?”
“Flynt called me early this morning, found a loophole in Romeo’s arrest. Pulled some strings, will have him home this afternoon. It’s all kept quiet, so no one knows yet, but as soon as word gets out…”
“We’re fucked,” Orlando finishes. Tavi nods.
“Bring it,” Mario says. “I’m sick of fuckin’ lying here waiting for the next goddamn attack.”
“Agreed,” Sergio says. He sips his espresso, black, before he continues, his dark brown eyes zoned in on Tavi. “You’ve done an impressive job keeping everyone safe here, Ottavio. None could fault you. But we aren’t bred to be sitting ducks waiting for an attack. We always work better when we take the lead.”
“Agreed,” Timeo says, nodding. He cracks his knuckles, the picture of menace to anyone who isn’t family.
Tavi nods, leans back in his chair, and puts his fingertips together. “We keep everyone on soft lockdown. We bring Romeo home today. We anticipate another move but scour everything we can until we find a lead, then we follow that lead like goddamn bloodhounds.”
Ricco grins. “Now you’re talkin’, brother.”
I stand, pacing, running my hands through my hair. We’re on the verge of a battle, and my need to move makes it impossible to sit still.
“We secure every entrance but double the manpower, yeah?”
Tavi nods. “Yeah.”
“How will you double manpower?” I ask.
“Got the Montavio men coming in,” Sergio says.
“Tavi, you ain’t gonna wanna hear this, but we need a thorough questioning of every fuckin’ Regazza. You know I told you the truth, man. You know that.”
“I do, brother.”
“I’ll question the Campanelles with Santo,” Mario says.
Tavi looks at him sharply. “You know something I don’t?”
“I know Santo’s the most ruthless motherfucker we’ve got,” he says with a grin. “And we’ll drive a sweet ride to do the job.”
“Perfect. Go.”
When we leave a few minutes later, I’m satisfied that the Castle’s safe. Montavio men, like bulldogs, man every entrance in conjunction with our own. Anyone who’d try to attack us now would have to be one stupid son of a bitch.
Tavi’s gone with Orlando to pick up Romeo. Mario and I’ve gone to investigate the Campanelles in my Ferrari. Imported straight from Italy, it’s my second favorite car, a sweet ride I’ll enjoy taking into the heart of Boston.
But I have my suspicions, and as soon as we’re free and clear on the highway, I kick up the speed and ask Mario a question.
“Another reason you wanted to investigate with me, brother?”
He gives me a shit-eating grin. “You know me too well, don’t you?”
I nod and scrub a hand over my brow. “Let’s have it.”
“I scoured the footage we had with you the other day, and did it again when we were zooming in on whoever came onto our property the other day.”