“Bella,” Elio’s voice was like velvet, “we don’t have much time, but I have something to show you.”
“Show me? Elio, where—?” I hopped up and looked around, hoping he was here.
“Miss.” The soldier moved closer and handed me a crumpled-up piece of fabric. Inside was a Coppola family ring.
“Whose is this?” I studied the birthdates and read the newest one and felt a shot of adrenaline race through me.
“Does this mean Stefano is dead? What happened?” Confusion mingled with excitement about what this could mean and filled me with even more questions.
“He followed me to Vegas, and I finally had my day. It’s one I’ve been waiting a long time for.”
“Oh, my God, this is mind-blowing!” It felt like a knight had just been knocked off the chess board, and we were one step closer to taking down Nonna Rosa. “Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“No.” He chuckled, and I felt myself warm with desire for this man. I missed him, and I didn’t think I realized just how much until right now. “I did find out something, though, and I need your help.”
“Of course. What is it?”
Elio spent the next few minutes filling me in on how someone was using the Mikey name to make dirty deals. Once I got the plan, I handed the phone back to the tattooed guy, and for the first time I looked him in the eye with a little smile. He smiled back and seemed a lot less formidable than before.
“He asked me to watch you. I apologize if I scared you, but I had orders not to approach you until told otherwise.” I let out a poof of air and found myself smiling widely. “What?” He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry.” I started to pick up my belongings off the chair. “It’s not you. I guess I am happy he would risk bringing you in to watch over me. You know,here.”
He smiled as he began to slowly back away. “Glad we finally had a chance to clear the air. I’d better go now, though.”
“Me too. Well, it was nice to meet you, ahh…” I waited for him to say his name, but he didn’t. It was probably better that way. I stared down at Stefano’s ring for a moment, then tucked it in my pocket and raced inside to change into my swimsuit. I wanted to plant yet another seed of doubt among the den of snakes.
Since the house was quiet, and the staff seemed to be going about their day, I felt now was as good a time as any to say something.
“Excuse me,” I called to one of the house staff as she whisked by with an arm full of linen, “have you seen Pippo?”
“He’s in a meeting.”
“Where?”
She looked over her shoulder and studied me for a moment. “They are in the office, down past the garden.”
“Thanks.” I’d met with them there before, so I knew where they were. I slowly headed that way and shook my head at the weeds that had completely taken over the garden. I couldn’t get over how much the place lacked anything even remotely pretty or healthy. I bent down and helped a poor little yellow flower that was being choked out by the enemy weeds.
“There you go, little fella.” I cleared the soil around it, then stopped when I heard voices coming from a window. It was Pippo, and he was giving Betto shit about something, I could hear both their raised, angry voices. No wonder the weeds had taken over here; nothing good could manage to grow near these people. I stood and brushed the dirt from my hands then headed toward the door. I gave a firm knock.
“Enter,” Pippo’s husky voice called, and I prepared myself to play the role I had ready as I stepped inside.
“A thousand apologies for interrupting, but I heard something today, and I felt it was only right to share it with you three right away.” I looked each one of them in the eyes, making sure they all felt equally important.
“Out with it, Alessia. We don’t have time,” Lotto, the youngest, harped at me.
“Please, Lotto, it’s Sienna,” I couldn’t help but comment, and I saw Pippo’s puffy eyebrow raise at my correction, but I didn’t care. “I felt it was my duty to dig a little into why the Coppolas weren’t working with Cooper Industries anymore, and I found something very interesting.”
“Well?” Pippo seemed extra impatient this afternoon, which I would use to my advantage.
“Who is Mikey Coppola?” I watched their faces drop and continued. “Because according to Branson Cooper, who apparently just signed a ten-year contract with the Capris, a Mikey Coppola made some dirty deals that have now tarnished our name. They are spreading lies that we can’t be trusted and that we are low on funds. Though you might not think this should be any of my business yet, it will be. I think it’s important, and considering my position, it’s important that you know I’m aware of this.”
I could feel the confusion as they spun their wheels and tried to comprehend what I’d just brought them. It would be safe to say the uncles were totally taken off guard.
“Aless—” Pippo stopped himself. “Sienna, please give us a few moments to talk in private.”
“Of course.” I knew they would need time to process, and I tried not to smile. “I was just about to go for a soak, anyway.” I headed out the door, closing it firmly. When I reached the partially opened window beside the flower bed, I bent down to listen.