On one hand, Dante was able to bridge that gap, but his situation is different. Juliet didn’t grow up knowing her dad or living amongst mafia families.
Francesca was raised like us, but her father was a real psycho and it led to his demise. I must tread carefully because I don’t know anything about her.
She has studied me and has the jump on me there, as well.
She pointed out all my shortcomings but thankfully she agrees my house is safe. Great, I don’t have to sleep with one eye open. I’m tired and I haven’t eaten much today. I was able to get a few bites of delicious food when I made a quick appearance at the gala while Francesca slept under a guard’s watch.
Just one more hit to fluff my pillow and I will be asleep. Instead, I’m haunted by her emerald-green eyes.
I wake up to my phone ringing, it’s Riccardo.
“Ciao, Sal. I made some calls, and it turns out that Francesca has a bad rap of being spoiled and interfering in the family business. She’s currently without a county. She hates her family, so it seems like we hold all the cards.”
I know better than to ask Riccardo for the details of his connections. He plays everything close to the vest.
He is all work, always on the job, there’s no room in his life for anyone other than Dante and our family. Because of this, he is The Wolf. He came to us that way and he’s remained the same over the years. Our home is his den.
“Thank you, Riccardo. I’ll put some men on her.”
“Keep me posted.”
I hang up and roll on my back. What do I do with a woman who is filled with rage and too much strength for her small body?
My phone rings and it’s Dante. “Ciao.”
“Little brother, I hear you found a wild cat,” he snickers into the phone.
“Relax, nothing is happening, I mean, she’s in the cellar.”
“That should suit her just fine for the time being, but you need to think long term here. What are we going to do? We can’t have this.” His tone turns serious. “You are known to be fun, but you don’t have my obligations, don’t be fickle.”
“I won’t, brother. I do my job and I will do it well. Thanks for saving me in the bathroom by the way.”
“Not a problem. Besides, it would have been very bad for business,” his deep voice reminds me it could have been my funeral they would be planning tonight.
“Gee, thanks, what about me?”
“Obviously you come first. What are you thinking?”
“She’s good at security issues, that’s for sure. How she got the drop on me, I don’t know. But I won’t let it happen again,” I mention unapologetically.
I mean, it could have happened to anyone. Weird that she thought she’d punish Dante by taking me out instead of going after him. But even I know his schedule is constantly changing to avoid being predictable. I like routines, so it’s harder for me.
Plus, I work in a business where there are established hours when I need to be there. Even if I stagger in late, I’ll eventually show up.
“Well, proceed with caution. She’s an outlier, an unknown. I can’t lose you.”
“I know. I’ll see you Sunday at Mama’s.”
“Ciao.”
Great, now Dante and Riccardo have both put their two cents in.
It’s late, or early in the morning, does it matter if she’s locked up? I dispatched my righthand man, Matteo, to the cellar with food and liquids as I need him to check on the situation.
I also instructed him to alternate the restraints carefully. I don’t have to go, but it’s in my best interest to check on her, or so I tell myself.
I throw on a fresh shirt and a nice suit to look respectable. What would Francesca, a spoiled princess with anger issues, crave the most to take off the edge of her anger?