“I know, what I did was wrong.” He shifted with a grunt, clearly hurting from his injuries. “But I couldn’t risk Val’s life. She is so smart and beautiful and so young. She’s going places.” His tears flowed, and his hands shook as he wiped them away.
“Antonio.” I leaned back and tried to remember that fear sat in everyone in different ways. I would drill a stack into Stefano’s heart, my hatred of him was so strong, while Antonio was an old man trying to do his job and live a life with little to no violence. “I’ll get my guys to look into Val, and in the meantime, Niccola will take you to the hospital and get your knees checked over.”
“You’re such a good man, Mr. Elio.” His mouth dropped open when he realized he had used my first name. I cleared my throat and waited a beat then let it slide. It was a slip of the tongue, and he had been with the family since I could walk.
“Is there anything else you can tell me about him?”
“He did ask about someone.” His hands shook on his lap, and I knew I wasn’t going to like this.
“And?”
“He wanted to know where Miss Sienna was living.”
“Sienna?” I played dumb and felt a layer of sweat break out along my neck. How did he know her name?
“Yes, the young lady with Mariano.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said that she was Mariano’s girlfriend. He wanted to know if they were in a serious relationship.”
“And?”
“I really wouldn’t know.” He shook his head. “I’ve only seen her once with him and twice with you. She seems very nice, but I wasn’t about to offer all that to him.” He groaned, holding his knees. “I’ve learned less is more.”
“Good. Any idea why he was asking about her?”
“I think he likes her. He has a woman by his side sometimes, but she’s got nothing on Mariano’s girlfriend.”
My mouth went dry with his answer.
“All right.” I motioned for Donatello to help him to his feet. “One last thing.” I pivoted to look at him. “Have you mentioned this to Mariano or anyone else?”
“I tried,” he shrugged, “but he doesn’t listen very well to people like me.”
“Antonio,” I thought for a moment, “this is your one and only pass with me. If I ever find out you went behind my back, no matter what the reason…”
“You have my word.”
I turned on my heel and left with Niccola hard on my heels. “Well?” I demanded.
He spent the next ten minutes filling me in on the other two men’s stories. They were all the same, which meant we really had a problem.
“All right.” I turned my head away from the others. “Get the body cleaned up, and make sure that you personally escort Antonio to the hospital. I need a minute to think.”
“Sure, boss.”
With that, I left for home.
Three hours in the ring with my best trainer and fifty laps in the pool helped subside the urge to hurt my best friend for dragging Sienna into this nightmare. I dried my hair with my hands as I made my way to the refrigerator for some water. My body was still hot from the workout, and my jeans hung low on my bare hips, which was a blessing as the cool air from the refrigerator swirled around my stomach. I eyed the envelope on the counter, still unsure my temper could take it if there was something about Sienna in it. Instead, I slipped it into my back pocket for later.
The doorbell rang, and I checked the time. I knew it was Francesco here to give me my daily briefing. I hit the buzzer, but when he didn’t come in, I headed for the door on the chance he had someone with him who I might have to take care of first. It seemed to be that kind of week.
“Fran—” I paused when I saw Sienna standing there. “Hey.”
“Hi.” She flipped her hair out of her face as her gaze swiped down my body. “Um, maybe I should have called.”
“No,” I stepped back, “come in.”