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My blood chills at the thought and my mind instantly goes to that time, to when there was so much chaos and blood being shed.
Vincenzo Costa.
Sophia Bandini, my fiancé.
I purse my lips, pushing the thoughts away as quickly as they appear. I don’t have time to think about my first love. Her ghost is always dancing in my mind, but if I want to stay focused, I’ve got to put it to a stop.
Which is why I turn my attention back to the other men in the room. Giovanni is sitting behind me, wearing a gray suit. His leg is crossed over his knee, his elbow leaning on the arm of the chair as he peers over the desk at Easely.
Behind Easely is a man with short black hair, dark eyes, a long scar across his cheek and a scowl on his face. Vitalli Galo, Easely’s best friend, and the man who had kept him protected when Easely’s mouth has run wild, which is a common occurrence according to his deceased Uncle.
Don’t let him say anything to piss Giovanni off, or we’ll be right back to square one when he shoots the man in the head.
I thought we should have brought Enzo with us for extra protection but Giovanni said he didn’t want to appear weak, that if he and I couldn’t handle Easley all on our own, then maybe we didn’t need to live.
He’s in one of those moods where everything that comes out of his mouth is either insulting or pure brilliance.
I hadn’t known which category his statement had fallen into, but realizing he wasn’t going to listen to any logic, I didn’t bother to argue with him.
“Giovanni, can’t say I’m surprised that you reached out,” Easely leans forward, clasping his hands together on top on his desk. I don’t miss the twinkle in his eye. “My dear cousin said you probably would, mentioned that she didn’t want to get involved in any deals when you did.”
Giovanni scoffs and I know it's all he can do to not roll his eyes. “Sienna isn’t on my radar and she knows it. When I paid her, I made it clear it was the last time we would be in contact.”
Sienna York had turned on her own father for a payoff, both the one from Giovanni and the one that she received from her father’s insurance.
Apparently, she hadn’t mentioned to her cousin that she’d told Giovani she’d still be down to marry him. The girl had been after him long before their engagement, dating back to when we were kids. I know that she would have turned on her father even if Giovanni would have only offered to love her for the rest of their lives, though he would have never made such an offer.
“Ah, kind of cold of you, she was your fiancé after all.” Easely is definitely amused.
“You and I both know that the engagement was bullshit.”
“Maybe so, but I hear you’re a sucker for love these days.” The statement hangs in the air and there’s a small crinkle at the corner of Easely’s eyes as he watches Giovanni closely.
Giovanni doesn’t miss a beat. “And who are you hearing these things from?”
Easely shrugs, relaxing as he leans back in his seat. “Here and there, the streets, the gossiping ladies atLuanna’s, my uncle before you killed him.”
And there it is.
The elephant in the room acknowledged.
We both knew it was going to have to be brought up, we just didn't know how long it would be before Easely mentioned it.
As far as I know, he and his uncle weren’t extremely close. More than anything, his uncle was grooming him to help out with their family and the shady shit they’re involved in, but he had no intentions of sharing the power.
And Easely York wants power.
“Ah, so let’s talk about it then.” Giovanni’s voice is lazy and borderline insulting as he addresses Easely. “How does that make you feel?” He says it like a psychiatrist and my lips twitch as I try to hide my amusement.
This type of Giovanni, the one who picks and uses sarcasm, he’s a dangerous one. One liable to get a fight popping off. So I remain alert, keeping an eye on both Easely and Vitali.
Easely raises a brow. “If I was a less secure man, I’d think you were trying to insult me, Giovanni.”
Silence.
I peer behind Easely at Vitali and the man is tense, but his hand isn’t moving toward his hip so I take that as a good sign.
Until I see Giovanni shift in his seat beside me and I know whatever is about to come out of his mouth definitely isn’t going to be diplomatic.
