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“Marco’s waiting for you in your father’s study.”

Luca sighed and leaned into me, whispering, “Are you tired?”

I shook my head. How could I sleep when someone burned down our family’s homes?

“Then can you keep my mom and Adriana company? Marco and I need time to get some answers.”

“Okay, I can do that.”

“I know you can.” He wrapped an arm around me, and for the first time since Marco’s speech was interrupted, my body relaxed. I slid my hands around his waist, pressing my chest into his side.

Luca kissed the top of my head and left for the study.

Without Luca’s presence, I swore I could feel the ghost of Dante Moretti Sr. watching me interlope in his familial home and business. A shiver went down my spine, and I rushed to the counter to grab another dumpling. Washing down the savory bite with the last of the champagne in my glass, I took a deep breath.

“Tea?” Rosa stood by the stove holding her red tea kettle, a plate of cookies sitting next to her on the counter.

“Yes, please.” I took a seat at the breakfast table, clearing a spot for Rosa. “I’m sorry we’re keeping you up.”

She waved me off and carried the tray holding our tea and cookies over. “It’s not the first time family business has kept me up all night, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.” She handed me a cup and saucer. “Or yours, if we’re being honest.”

“I suppose not,” I mumbled, blowing on my tea, knowing full well I would burn my mouth no matter what I did. Patience had never been my virtue.

“Hm.” She took a sip and then went to stand. “I should take the boys some coffee.”

I noticed a second tray on the counter and jumped up. “Let me. You’ve already done enough.”

“Alright.” She gave me a soft smile, but her warm brown eyes bore into me. Since Dante’s death, I’d caught her staring at me a lot. The irrational fear she’d figured out what happened to her husband made me jittery. I balanced the tray the best I could and headed toward the study. Raised voices slowed my steps until I stood frozen in the middle of the hallway.

“I want them alive.” Luca’s voice was cold, harsh. “I don’t give a fuck. Make it happen. You have until sunrise.”

Footsteps sounded toward the door and then away. “I can’t believe Chronis had the fucking balls to do this. All for a daughter he was ready to marry off to the enemy.” Marco’s voice dripped with disgust.

“You know they don’t give a fuck about Zoe. They’re just using her as an excuse for all this bullshit. At this point, I wish I would’ve killed her.”

“And you really don’t know where she is or what happened to her?”

There was a heavy silence. I moved next to the door, dangerously close to being in the line of sight.

“No. Why would I?”

“You were fucking her.”

The accusation hit me right in the chest, and I swallowed thickly, biting the inside of my cheek. I had no reason to feel a way—we’d been broken up for over a year—but shit, if that wasn’t a kick in the ass.

“Well, I don’t know where she is. I’d put a bullet in her head myself if I did.” Luca’s tone left little doubt of his words.

There was a beat of silence and a sigh. “I can’t believe they burned down Adriana’s house. And, fuck, mine! What would’ve happened if she had been there? Or Dante?” Marco sounded more flustered than I’d ever heard him.

The tray shook in my hands as I let his words settle in.We could’ve lost Dante.

“I know.” Luca mumbled something unintelligible and cleared his throat. “They’ll pay for it. We just need to buy some time so we can put them down for good.”

“I’m glad you didn’t marry the bitch. Nothing, not even peace, is worth being tied to that family. I hope you see that now.”

“This is the last time we’re talking about this. I did what I thought was best while my father was spiraling. We were on the edge of either Chronis wiping us out or the feds bringing us down. The only reason I’m explaining myself to you is that you’re more like a brother than Dante ever was. But make no mistake, Iamthe boss. You’re my right hand, and I trust you with my life, but I won’t have you second-guessing me. Got it?” Luca didn’t yell. He didn’t need to. The frost in his voice sent a shiver through my body. Luca would never hurt me, but I couldn’t say the same for Marco. The threat sounded real as hell.

“Got it. Do you need me here, or do you want me out with Tootsie?”


Tags: Stephanie Kazowz Romance