“Thanks for the opportunity.”
“I’m not done. My mother isn’t getting any younger. I want to send you back to Italy to keep her company and watch over her. When this job is done, I’ll send you there.”
Her face tightens for a moment. I know this might seem like a punishment, but it’s not. She’s one of the best and Ny trusted her enough to take her around Ma. That means a lot.
“May I ask a question?”
“Sure, why not?”
“How did you know I knew?”
“Ny can’t lie to me. I went looking for the footage myself when I figured out the ring was stolen. I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
“All systems involving my and my family’s businesses have been fitted with time-stamp signatures. Anyone who enters, whether from within or hacking from outside, leaves a fingerprint so to speak. I traced yours.”
“Damn. She’s right, you’re always thinking ten steps ahead. That’s genius.”
I stand and move toward the door, stopping to place a hand on her shoulder. “Never forget who we are. We’re great friends to have but enemies you never want to make.”
I squeeze her shoulder and wave for Jace to follow as I leave.
Nyla
I stand out on the deck staring at the mountains, lost in thought. It’s like I’ve been so distracted lately. It doesn’t help that I’m being pulled in a million directions. The dolls, Nonno, Ava, Gwen, Lizzy, I’ve been needed by everyone for this or that.
I’m not a careless person. I know I didn’t misplace my ring. Someone had to have taken it, but who would be that stupid? I growl when her face pops into my head.
“I’m going to kill that bitch.”
“It’s been taken care of. He’s already commissioned a new ring. He’s not really mad at you,” Jace whispers in my ear as he comes up behind me and wraps me in his embrace.
“Then why is he treating me like he is?”
“You don’t see it, do you?”
“See what?”
He snorts. “You wouldn’t because he doesn’t want you to. That make sense?”
I turn in his embrace. “Can you not speak in riddles.”
“He’s about to collapse the illusion. He’s setting the last pieces in place to lift the curtain. He’s about to end this one way or another.”
“But why push me out?”
“It’s Gio. It makes sense to him. My guess would be there’s something you can’t know so when he blows it all up, your reaction is what he needs.”
“Fucking puppet master.”
“Damn genius.” He gives a huge grin.
“Oh my God, you’re enjoying this. You like watching him dance us around.”
He grins. “I can appreciate a fellow artist.”
I side-eye him. I need to stop underestimating Jace. You can’t live with Gio and not be like him. You either learn from him or realize how much you’re just like him.
“Mm,” I murmur to myself. “I’m watching you. You’re not innocent at all.”
“Har aldrig sagt, at jeg var det,” he says in Danish and winks.
CHAPTER 60
Let it Burn
Riccardo
Three and a half years later…
“Yes, I see,” I murmur into the phone.
I flop down into my chair and pull the phone from my ear. I’m not ready, this is too soon. These boys aren’t the crew I need. My grandsons have so much more to learn, and Dario still hasn’t been promoted, but I’m out of time.
Don Barbieri is dead. My protection is gone. I’m going to need to make a move before Giuseppe strikes. My mind races for my next move.
I need to hit somewhere that will cripple them for a while. I pick the phone back up and dial Franky. I need him now.
“Hello.”
“Franky, what do you have for me? I need to know something now.”
“I’m still working, Pop.”
“I’m out of time,” I bellow.
“The finook still has those sex parties. That’s what happens in that club he has. He’s there all the time. That’s the most I have.”
“Fucking useless,” I growl and slam the phone down.
The phone rings, raising my irritation.
“What?” I snarl as I answer.
“You hung up on me. I remembered something else. There’s a Black girl. I think she’s important to Gio. She’s with him more than any of the others.”
“He’s not into girls. What use is this to me?”
“I’m just telling you what I know. Go by the club, see for yourself.”
“I’ll do just that. You be on standby. I might need you.”
Nyla
“I’m so sorry,” I say to the little bundle in my embrace.
I sit in this hospital, nuzzling this tiny baby’s head. I’m filled with so many emotions. She’s gorgeous and motherless.
I fight back the tears. I tried. Andy was one of our younger dolls, but she wasn’t with us long. She had so much potential though.
Fuck.
I didn’t get to teach her to keep this from happening. She went back before I could keep her from losing her life.
“I should have killed him when she came to us,” I sniffle.