“We need to talk,” I say. “Can we meet at the bistro on Sixth Street?”
“I can be there in an hour,” he says. “Alone.”
I smile. “I’ll meet you there.”
I look at Arianna. “I’m going to walk a couple of blocks to Sixth Street, maybe pick up some stuff for dinner. If you want to check on Sofia and give her something to do, you can.”
Arianna rolls her eyes. “I’m going to visit her because I like her and think she’s good for you, not because I’m acting as a babysitter on your behalf.”
“Love you too.” I lean down and kiss her head. She swats me away, and I leave, humming to myself as I walk.
It’s four blocks until I get to the butchery, but I’m in no rush. Maybe I’ll pick out something for my friend the detective as well while I’m there. Once I cross to the second block, I have this feeling like I’m being watched or followed, so I stop at a window and casually glance back. I see two Latino-looking men stop at a store across the road.
I need to get into the next alley, draw my gun and take them down before they get to me.
I start strolling again, secure in the knowledge that they are following me. At the first alleyway I find, I turn into it, walk about a yard and turn to face them. My hand is on my gun when they turn into the alleyway, grinning.
I’m about to crack a wise-ass comment when someone hits me in the head from behind. I try to get to my gun, but someone kicks me in the ribs. I grunt, and someone holds my arms back, takes my gun, and hits me across the face with it.
I blearily look up at the two men who followed me and the bigger one leans down. “Tell Alessandro this is a warning. If he doesn’t back off, then next time you die, friend, and then he does and all his family.”
He hits me across the face again. They drop me and start kicking the shit out of me, and everything goes black.
All I feel is pain as I slowly open my eyes, everything is so bright, and my head is throbbing.
“Try not to move.” I recognize Alessandro’s voice immediately.
I try to open my mouth but instead, I just groan.
“Slowly,” Alessandro says. “Here’s some water.”
I feel a straw touch my lips and open my mouth slowly, locking around the straw and taking a tentative sip. I open my eyes again and look at him. “What happened?”
“You got fucked up good, and someone called an ambulance for you. I assume it was Catalan men.” Alessandro sits on the side of my bed. “They’ll pay for this.”
I frown, remembering the men who jumped me. “They said they’re coming for the family. For you and Katya and our family. We need to up security.” I try to sit up, and he holds me down gently.
“Yes, I’ve already increased security. Relax, there are also two guards outside your room, so you’re safe,” he sighs. “I don’t know if this war is a good idea, but if we back down now, we will look like cowards.”
I shake my head which hurts like hell. “I don’t think this war is a bad idea. I think it was inevitable. Catalan just wanted an excuse to take over New York.”
Alessandro sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “You’ll be discharged tomorrow. Your nose is broken, but otherwise, you’re mostly bruised. Oh, wait, you do have two cracked ribs.”
I sigh, which also hurts, and I smile. “Nothing I haven’t felt before.”
“Rest,” Alessandro says, “I’ll have some men pick you up tomorrow and take you back to the estate. Sofia should be fine without you for one night.”
I grimace at the sound of her name, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“If you want to make a move, I need to know,” he says quietly. “I won’t begrudge you a relationship, Dominic, not after everything you’ve done for the family.”
“She’s a pain in the ass,” I comment, trying to deflect the heartfelt comment by my brother.
Alessandro grins. “Perfect for you then. I don’t know a bigger pain in the ass than you.” He gets up. “Sleep, I mean it. We have work to do.”
He leaves, and I settle back down, thinking about Sofia.
Chapter 28 - Sofia