“How’s the girl?”
“Alive.” Even though he probably already knows that fact, I tell him anyway. I’m sure Luna has given him a play-by-play of everything she’s seen and heard. That girl and gossiping go hand in hand.
“Keep her that way. The last thing we need is a feud with the Fiore family. They’ve got large amounts of money coming in from their underground gambling rings. It would be a waste to lose that.”
“Of course.” What the hell did he think I was planning on doing with Gemma? Letting her die on my watch, or worse, killing her myself? And I’m fully aware of the mutually beneficial business we have with the Fiores, which is probably why Lorenzo let Gemma stay with me in the first place.
He reaches for a bottle of scotch and pours himself a drink. He’s the reason it’s my favorite drink too. And it all stems from my great-grandfather being enamored with everything Scottish, for some strange reason. The love for scotch is all that’s left of that.
Picking up the tumbler, he lifts it to his nose to smell it, then takes a sip. It’s something I’ve seen him do hundreds of times over the years, but I still find it fascinating. It’s taught me that there are things in life that deserve to be savored, that they’re worth waiting for.
I watch his Adam’s apple move as he swallows down the liquid.
Then his focus is fully back on me. “Word’s gotten around about the work you’ve done with your team. It’s been good for the family. Lots of people want to do business with us.”
It was exactly what I expected to happen, so I nod. “That’s good, Papà.”
“How long are you going to stay?”
“Not sure yet. I want to make sure she’s okay and her wound doesn’t get infected.”
I don’t need to say her name. My dad knows exactly whosheis. Normally the only female I talk about is my sister. And I’m not sure she’s welcome here, not after she freaked Gemma out with her shopping spree. Maybe I should tell her to back off. Never mind, that might just make her meddle even more. There’s no middle ground withthatwoman.
My dad swirls his glass in his hand. “I think it’s time to come back to that break we talked about last year.”
I shrug. “Why?”
He rubs a hand over his jaw. “I’m not going to pretend I don’t need you here. You’ve achieved a lot with your team, but I’m worried about you. You’ve changed, especially since Tommaso died.”
My lungs expand with an uneasy breath. “I’m fine.”
“Matteo, you were gone for most of the last two years and just got back. On top of that, you’ve been consumed with finding your cousin’s killer, and even though I’m still not happy you used Alessandra to get your way, you have to wait for Nikolai’s move now. You might as well take some time off while you’re at the cabin.”
This is the main reason Luna and I usually do whatever our dad asks of us, because he always puts us first. When my mom lost her health battle, he promised to take good care of us, and he did. Still does. He’s also right about playing the waiting game.
With that in mind, I tip my head toward the screen. “Fine. I can also still work on some accounts from up here. Luna set everything up, so I have remote access. I can do video calls too, if necessary.”
He’s quiet for a while, just staring at me the way he likes to do whenever he’s trying to figure something out. It has made many people squirm before, but I’m used to it.
He taps his fingers on his glass. “How long are you planning on keeping her?”
Keeping her? What a loaded question.
I lean back in my office chair and shrug. “Depends on how things play out with Lorenzo, Toni, and Nikolai.”
He nods. “I’ll have Luna check you’re all up to date with everything, just to make sure.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Papà.”
“Salute.” He lifts his glass toward the screen and ends the call.
I use the chance to catch up on the online accounts I do the laundering for, and the next time I check the clock, three hours have gone by.
Pushing out of the chair, I stretch my tight muscles before shutting everything off and closing the office door behind me. I double-check the keyless fingerprint lock activated properly then head into the kitchen.
I’m just about to open the fridge when a scream comes from upstairs.
Chapter7