In our line of work, men at the top know the status of relationships between our friends and foes. The Michelis lie low and, like me, they don’t instigate if they can negotiate. So I don’t think they are involved in these hits. I suspect there is a larger play going on. A conspiracy. But to what end?
It was a quick in and out at the station. The police and detectives are overworked, and I don’t expect the wedding guests to provide any useful information. The Michelis must be as confused as the police.
Dante and Marchello were not supposed to see Luciano at the party. He was not invited but I bribed the wedding planner, Gabriella, so Luciano could get into the affair and bring Valentina. Gabriella promised they’d be in another room and the transfer would go off without a hitch. So how did everyone end up together?
If Dante and his family had no way of knowing Luciano would be at the party, there is no way they had time to plan his murder.
Whoever whacked De Luca knew he was attending the wedding in Florence. That finger points south, to Sicily. Which means we’re not going there for the funeral later this week. It’s too dangerous.
There’s no telling when someone is going to move against Giovi, but it’s inevitable. Even my black heart hurts for him. The Sicilians are known for guerrilla warfare and planting explosives. I’m not into shooting people in the streets, but I can blow some shit up.
As for Grandfather, Dante and Marchello met him when he returned Argon’s black book of passwords. Even though that situation resolved itself on good terms, they weren’t best friends and his presence at the party would have set off red flags.
Not many would recognize Grandfather. He doesn’t travel much, and he stays out of the news. But lately he’s had his nose in everything, first the reception and now my personal life, which is concerning. I don’t know why he’s so interested in my operation in Italy.
One of the things on my to-do list is to swing by our legitimate business office, the one under the real estate sign. We use it to buy up property and pocket cash for rent, another way to launder money. We also have a trucking company and a moving company that doubles as a front.
Besnik text, he’ll meet me there. It’s been months since I’ve seen him, and his timing is good. He was there when Argon was killed. I have more questions.
I’m on a tight schedule but still find time to daydream about Valentina, remembering her long legs and lovely figure dressed in my shirt this morning. When she reached for a cup, the shirt went up and I got a preview of her curvy butt cheeks. Savio probably got to enjoy the same view but it couldn’t be helped. She needs clothes and, until we get her belongings from the hotel, I had to improvise.
As soon as I get to the office, I pull out my phone and text her.
Hope you are having a good first day at the mansion. I’ll be home for dinner.
She texted back,I can’t leave so I’ll be here. Some kind of roast, I think it’s veal. Smells great.
I smile. Finally, a woman who loves to eat. And the dish Samira is making is more of an Albanian dish than Italian. I hope Valentina is open-minded to trying new things.
I smile, I have a new world to show her in the bedroom. Sure, she’s no virgin but it’s likely been years without a boyfriend, so my hard cock will fit nicely in her tight pussy. She’ll never think of another man after I fuck her.
Besnik enters, interrupting my wicked thoughts. He’s aged since Argon died. It took a heavy toll as the two went back years and were very close. His burly grey beard and overgrown hair tell me he’s still not himself. He lumbers into my office with no concern for his own safety. It’s just the two of us anyway, and it’s the middle of the afternoon, so nothing is likely to happen, but one never knows.
We shake hands and exchange pleasantries as he sits.
“Have any new facts surfaced about Argon’s murder? I don’t think it was the Michelis who killed him. In fact, I’m confident someone set up Dante to take the fall for De Luca’s death. It’s too much of a coincidence. The night Argon died, did you see anyone out of place, unusual, or suspicious?”
“It seems like it was forever ago as I go over it in my mind. I keep thinking if we didn’t go, maybe it wouldn’t have happened. I should have never let my guard down. We were drinking at the bar and Prende came in and had a drink with us. We only had a few men with us, but they are trusted, they live here and are not suspects.”
I lean back in my office chair thinking.
“Do you have any pictures from the trip?”
“Some maybe, I never thought to look at them for clues. We’re men, not so much into pictures,” he explains.
“If you find any with people in the background, please text them to me.”
When I stand, he knows we’re finished.
“Sure thing, Massimo.” We shake hands and he walks out with me.
I’ve never been so anxious to get home before. I am curious as to how Valentina’s day went in her new home. I regret the timing wasn’t better for us to get to know each other. I wish I could have taken some time off to get her acclimated. I can’t wait to see how the new clothes fit. She’ll need to get out and shop. I’d enjoy seeing her trying on clothing and having her model it for me.
That would be quite the turn on. I’m getting hard thinking about it and remembering the garden kiss that is seared in my memory like a cattle brand. I can’t shake the heat that warms me from the anticipation of seeing her again.
How can I keep my distance and fuck her at the same time? Is it possible? She’s different from the other women I’ve bedded, and yet I can’t figure out why she has this effect on me.
Ridolfo should have her home from the police station by now. Micro drove them and some of my other men are protecting the house. One can never be too safe, and the recent chain of events will put everyone on guard. Who knows what the killer’s next move is?