“Eleana,” Kayden says, his hand settling at my lower back. “This is Lino Conti. One of the only honest men in Parliament, which unfortunately earns him more enemies than friends.”
On that unexpected tidbit of information, Lino, who happens to be a bit of a silver fox, offers me his hand, which I accept. “Nice to meet you, Eleana,” he says, but rather than letting go of me, he and Kayden lean over me, sharing a quiet, brief exchange before Lino releases me and they separate.
“You have a good man here,” Lino says, offering nothing more before he disappears into the crowd.
I give Kayden a questioning look that he answers by pressing his cheek to mine and whispering, “There are two sides to every story.”
He leads me toward the food tables, which are finally in view, but his statement has me searching every passing face, looking for answers. My worst fear and hope is that one of them knows the other side of my story. Just the idea has me holdin
g on to Kayden’s hand a little tighter.
twelve
Finally, Kayden and I clear the crowd, the table of food standing in an alcove under a giant white stone stairway, filled with all kinds of goodies. I go for the spill-proof options of bread and cheese. Kayden fills his plate with a variety of items he then tries to feed me. “Try this,” he says, picking up a ravioli.
I let him feed me the bite, and the creamy, cheesy center has me moaning in delight.
“That’s not the way to keep my mind on business,” Kayden warns, his lips curving.
“And pasta and cheese is not the way to keep me from outgrowing the clothes you bought me,” I counter, dabbing my mouth with a napkin.
“I promise to help you work it off,” he says, offering me another bite.
“No,” I say firmly. “No more.” A waiter passes and I hand him Kayden’s plate.
Kayden arches a brow. “You know I wasn’t done, right?
I laugh. “Oops. I’ll get you another.”
He shackles my waist, holding me in front of him, his mood suddenly darker. “Why haven’t you asked me about Lino?”
“Because just like I think we both needed to know I could call you just to call today, I think you need to know that I trust you enough not to need details.”
“Niccolo had his wife killed, and made it look like Lino did it.”
My eyes go wide. “Why? Or does he even have a reason?”
“Payback for him refusing a political favor.”
I start putting the pieces together. “Lino tried to hire you to fix this for him.”
“More like to exact revenge. He wants to destroy Niccolo.”
“Did you tell him to join the club?”
“I told him, when his trigger finger cools off, to call me.”
“And has it?” I ask.
“He says it has.”
“But you’re not sure,” I conclude.
“I’m not, no, but we have a mutual enemy. Where that leads us, I have yet to decide.”
“Gallo’s placed you together. That means Niccolo can, too.”
“I knew Gallo was snooping around, which forced me to call Niccolo after that meeting.”