“We’d need undeniable proof before we could make a move,” Stefano said.
“I could get it for you,” Brielle said. “Seriously, I know I can.”
“Before you do anything, Brielle, we have to find out who put out a hit on you and why,” Elie said. “I’m not taking any chances with your life.”
“I’d like to pit her skills against my investigators’,” Stefano said. “We might as well while we’re figuring this out.”
“I’d like to do the same,” Valentino said.
Elie maintained no expression. Twice Emme had mentioned that Val and Dario wished they had a second computer person with skills similar to Bernado, but one they hired who would maintain loyalty to them. They had to rely solely on Bernado, something that was difficult for men like Val and Dario. They trusted Bernado—but it was always good to have a backup plan. It would be better if the two men came asking for Brielle to work for them than for Brielle to ask for a job. She’d be in a stronger bargaining position.
“Give her a day to get her devices set up,” Elie advised.
“How can you be sure no one breached the security in your computer?” Stefano asked.
Brielle looked so outraged, Elie had to stifle a grin. That little flash of temper got to him every time. His woman was no pushover. Her chin rose and she leveled her gaze at Stefano, forgetting all about the fact that he was the leader of the Chicago shadow riders. And one of the most feared men in Chicago. Many equated him with Valentino Saldi—a man clearly not to cross.
“Seriously? I wasn’t born yesterday, Mr. Ferraro.”
Emmanuelle coughed behind her hand. Giovanni didn’t bother to cover his snicker and Vittorio raised his eyebrow, shooting Elie a direct, telling look.
“You might pay attention to that streak right there, Elie,” he warned.
“Close attention,” Stefano added, rising.
“Oh, I am,” Elie assured. “I’ll see you out. Thanks for coming. I’ll let you know when Brielle has her equipment set up.” He led the three Ferraro brothers to the door. “Stefano, you might want to watch your phone over the next few days. She does have a bit of a temper. She might retaliate just to prove a point. And, Vittorio, don’t think she didn’t catch your warning.”
Vittorio laughed. “Stefano’s comment stung. He’s the one she’s going to go after if she decides to prove a point.”
Stefano shrugged. “I have very broad shoulders, but if she fucks with my phone, I expect you to punish that little hellcat.”
“So far, she’s been sweet,” Elie said, managing to keep the grin off his face.
Everyone was intimidated by Stefano except Elie’s sweet Brielle when the head of the Ferraro family challenged her computer skills. Elie made note that it would never be a good idea to do anything but praise his woman’s skills on a computer. Since it wasn’t his wheelhouse, that should be easy enough. He wasn’t about to repeat Stefano’s mistake.
Elie kept a straight face as he turned back to face his woman and their company. Brielle still had that little tilted chin that made him want to take a bite out of her. He had to will his cock not to react. Dario was giving him that knowing look that said he agreed with Stefano and Elie needed to tame his woman. Valentino lifted an eyebrow and sent him a mocking grin, but wisely kept his mouth shut since Emmanuelle was seated next to him.
“Sweet setup the Ferraros have for bomb detection,” Val said. “We have something similar, so I’m always interested in anything new.”
“Taviano is the genius in the family,” Emmanuelle said. “Once Vittorio told him what he wanted, and showed him the various devices on the market, Taviano immediately came up with ones for under cars, larger vehicles and smaller things like suitcases. Vittorio and Taviano spent forever having fun designing the technology. Gee helped, too. They get together and you don’t see them for weeks on end.”
“I would have liked to get in on that,” Val said. “Next time, let me know what they’re doing, princess.”
Elie found it interesting that Val had no worries about being invited. Stefano had included Val and Dario in the family, making them so much a part of it that, like Elie, more and more they felt completely absorbed. Elie wanted that for Brielle. She needed a family and the Ferraros had a way of loving that was extraordinary. Noisy, sometimes annoying, always in one another’s business, but tight, having one another’s backs. To outsiders they appeared aloof and cold, dangerous and, like Valentino’s family, perhaps like criminals. Behind closed doors, they were loving and funny. Careful of one another.
“We’re going to get out of your hair since technically you’re on your honeymoon,” Emmanuelle said. She stood up, tugging on Val’s hand. “Come on. We aren’t staying,” she added when he didn’t move.
Val and Dario exchanged a long look. “Just give us a minute, babe,” Val said.
Emmanuelle sighed. “Seriously, Val? Don’t you remember what it was like? They want to be alone.”
“I don’t want that brother of yours to talk to her before we do.”
Elie sank down beside Brielle, his thigh tight against hers, one hand sliding behind her neck, under the thick mass of wayward waves of curls and spirals going in every direction. Her hair was wild and he loved the look. She appeared untamed, not at all the sleek, sophisticated woman who had walked down the aisle toward him. She was more like the woman he’d first noticed and couldn’t get out of his head. He wanted to unbutton her blouse just one more button, as well. There were already the shadows of the curves of her breasts showing beneath her blouse, just a hint, but he wanted more. Maybe a darker bra under that peach.
“What did you need to talk to me about?” Brielle asked.
Elie played with her ear, slipping the pad of his finger inside her ear and then tugging on her earlobe. He shifted his body just an inch, just enough that his shadow connected with hers. The moment their shadows collided, the sexual jolt was brutal.