Chapter 7
Luca
Leda didn’t look too happy about doing so, but she did pick up some apple slices and munch on them. “Are you all right?” I asked lightly, noting a change in her. Normally Leda was ravenous when she ate, one of the many things I loved about her, but right now, she looked as if she could puke.
“I’m just tired,” she replied. “It’s been a crazy few days.”
That it had. “It’s going to be alright, Leda,” I told her. “All of this.”
“I know,” she said in a tiny voice. “I know.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but footsteps sounded on the stairs. “It’s just Emil,” I answered, still primed in case it wasn’t Emil. I trusted the Wongs with my life, but anyone else was fair game at this moment. Adrian could have gotten to even the most loyal.
Emil’s head popped in the doorway, and I loosened a breath.
“Were you followed?”
“I was,” he responded. “Three of them at three different times. I was able to shake them off by the time I was in Soho. No one saw me come in the back door, I swear it.”
“Good,” I answered. “Come in, there’s not much time.”
But Emil wasn’t paying attention to me. He was staring at Leda. “Leda?”
“Emil,” she said, giving him a little wave. “It’s good to see you.”
“She found me,” I offered up.
Emil let out a low whistle. “Then you are in some deep shit.”
“I wasn’t followed,” she added, giving me a look. “I lost my tail as well.”
Pride welled in my veins, but I kept a straight face. No other woman would have ever been able to do what Leda had done. Hell, she sometimes surprised even me.
“Still,” Emil continued. “The city is in chaos, it’s surprising that anyone has time to do any tailing at all.”
“What are you talking about?” Leda asked, narrowing her gaze. “What chaos, and why is it any different than what we already have going on?”
Emil looked at me. “She hasn’t been near the East River, has she?”
I shook my head before looking over at Leda. “Your father slaughtered all the Dons and their seconds. Different Mafias are being forced to pledge their loyalty to both Carmine and Adrian or risk being killed by their men.”
Leda’s face grew pale. “I don’t believe it.”
Emil let out a low chuckle. “Yeah, no one else did either until the bodies showed up hanging off the Brooklyn Bridge.”
“What about the police?” she asked again, her eyes meeting mine. “You could call Nico. He can get the police to arrest them both.”
“NYPD’s been stonewalling the entire thing,” I told her. “As far as everyone is concerned, nobody gives a shit if a bunch of Mafia Dons are dead. The NYPD would almost prefer that Carmine bring everyone under his thumb than deal with a repeat of the 80s when there was open warfare in the streets. He’s untouchable right now.” As much as I hated the thought of Carmine having the upper hand, he did, and it wasn’t good for anyone.
Leda pressed her hand against her mouth, and I wished I had something different to tell her.
“They’re going to pick us off one by one,” Emil finished, his mouth twisting. “And that’s not all. There are reports of Cavazzo men searching the hospitals. I don’t know if they are looking for you.” He pointed at Leda. “Or her.”
Fuck.
“Nico,” Leda breathed, climbing out of her chair. “We have to warn Nico.”
“We will,” I told her. “I promise.”