Glancing at the open notepad on the end table next to me, I look at the list of everyone in our family. Next to each nameis the chess piece they could represent. Every guess I’ve made seems logical, except one, the killer sending me the king piece.
I guess in a way, I could be a king, since I’m operating as a leader in a man’s world. But in my gut, I know that king has to mean my father.
The doorbell rings, jarring me from my thoughts and I almost jump out of my skin. Fumbling for my phone, I see Lucia’s face on the camera. Breathing a sigh of relief, I rush to the door and open it.
“Luci, what are you doing here?” I usher her inside.
“Working. I finished an assignment. I had just gotten home when I saw your light on and I wanted to stop by. It’s been so long since we spent time together.”
Sadness sweeps over me. “Yes, it has.”
She holds up a box as she walks into the living room. “I brought cannolis. I had to go pick up the payment from Pietro, and he was making them fresh.”
“He was at the bakery at this hour?”
Lucia places the box on the coffee table next to the bowl of popcorn. “You know that place is a gold mine. He probably wanted to butter me up so he can be in your good graces when he asks for another loan to expand the bakery.”
I raise my eyebrows. “I never say no to carbs. And Pietro has never missed a payment, so I’m sure we can work something out.”
Lucia takes off her coat and drapes it on the chair. “Other clients have told me they’re trying to get in touch with you, but your time is being occupied elsewhere.”
“That’s not true, everyone that has contacted me I’ve gotten back to.”
Lucia places the box on the table and grabs some popcorn. “So, tell me what’s going on.” She sinks into the armchair andnarrows her eyes at me. “Have you really been working together or just fucking?”
Oh Lucia and her blunt tone, straight to the point. But I wouldn’t expect anything less from my best friend.
“A little of both…I guess.” I could never lie to her.
She smirks. “You know I’m good for going back to an ex, but is it purely physical or are your feelings getting involved? You know you’ve never been able to separate the two.”
“I know, I know.”
“What happens when all this is over with, and you find out who the killer is? He’s going to go back to his work investigating people like us while you’re going to continue your empire and hide everything from people like him.” She leans forward and flips open the box revealing the hard shell of a cannoli bursting with vanilla cream.
I don’t respond and instead focus on emotional eating. Grabbing one of the cannolis, I shove it into my mouth. The sharp crack of the shell breaking beneath my teeth is followed by the sweetness of the cream on my tongue.
“Mmmm, Pietro outdoes himself every time.”
Lucia looks at me. “Cipi, you know I’m just trying to protect you. I don’t want to see you get hurt. I know Dominic isn’t your enemy, but he’s not built for this world. That’s why he left the first time. You know, I’m all for a girl having fun and getting her needs met, but don’t drag feelings into it.”
“It might be too late.” I take another bite of the cannoli.
“Oh, Cipi.” Lucia whips out her phone and starts typing.
“What are you doing?”
“Plotting out Dominic’s funeral because I know this time he’s going to break your heart and you might never recover.”
“Luci, let’s not get too dramatic here.” I groan.
“Honestly, I should give him a good whack to the head. It’s been weeks that he’s been on this case and we still have no idea who wants to kill you.” Lucia places her phone on her lap.
“We have had a few good leads, but they didn’t turn into anything,” I admit. “Have you noticed anything different with Matteo, Salvatore, and Bruno over the past few weeks?”
Lucia takes a bite of the pastry and shrugs. “I’ve been busy with work.” Her eyes widen as she swallows. “Cipi! You’re not suggesting one of them had anything to do with it? How could you even think such a thing? They’re family. Bruno got shot in the head and Salvatore was almost murdered.”
“I know, but someone on the inside is orchestrating this and I just can’t figure out who.”
