“You’re sure about that?” I ask.
He gives me a smile. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. I would trust you with my life.”
Chapter forty
Alot of people’s lives are being entrusted into my care, and I only hope I can keep them all safe.
Dawn brings with it stripes of light across the hardwood floor of the bedroom. I leave Dominic sleeping in my bed and head downstairs to brew myself a cup of coffee.
As I sit at the table in the breakfast nook, I look down at my bandaged fingers. A symbol of my failure to identify the killer. Taking a deep breath, I rip off the gauze and bandages.
I have no desire to publicly show the world I’ve been injured.
I still need to show the other families I’m still powerful and not capable of being taken over.
Flexing my fingers, I walk into the living room and turn on the TV. Heaviness fills my body as I sink into the couch. Dad’s murder replays over and over in my head. Someone had to slip Dad a dose of cyanide for him to ingest unknowingly, but how.
The doorbell rings, followed by a pounding of someone’s fist.
“Cipi!” Gigi’s voice floats through the walls.
Flexing my fingers, I get up and open the door.
What is she doing here this early? It’s five in the morning.
She throws her arms around me. “I heard what happened. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.” Pulling back, she draws her fur coat closer around her. The click of her five inch heels echoes in the foyer. “My God, you look like hell.”
“I’m alive. That’s what’s important.” I walk back into the kitchen and she follows me.
Gigi leans on the counter. “Nonna said Bruno and Dominic had a fight.”
“Yes. Bruno hasn’t been the same since he got shot. But Dominic saved my life. I trust him.”
“I’m glad you trust your man.” Gigi mutters. “So why can’t you trust mine? My date yesterday got interrupted by your goons. They forced me to leave the restaurant, then brought me to the office where Lucia asked me all these questions about Elio. That’s why it took me so long to come and check up on you because I was being interrogated like a criminal.” She crosses her arms. “And explain to me why I was given strict orders to never see Elio again.
“Gigi, please don’t do this today.” I place my hand on my forehead.
“Shut up with that Gigi please bullshit. I finally found someone who I really like and you take him away from me.”
“Gigi, it’s not like that. I don’t want to do this, but we have evidence that Elio isn’t trustworthy. He’s working for Valerio.”
“So what? I work for you. Work is work. What we do outside business hours is our personal life,” she huffs.
“Gigi. I wish it was that simple but Elio could be feeding Valerio information about our family. He could be using you for personal information.” I pour another cup of coffee.
“He’s never asked me personal questions about our family. Every time we go out we don’t even talk about the family or work. All he said was that he does odd jobs for Valerio.”
I raise my eyebrows. “And you didn’t think to tell me this.”
“Because it wasn’t important.” Gigi throws up her arms. “You always think I’m an idiot and I don’t have good judgment.”
“That’s not true Gigi, and you know it. Please try to understand. I love you but I’m not going to watch you get used by someone who wouldn’t hesitate to sell your soul for profit.”
Her jaw clenches. “Elio would never. You can’t stop me from seeing him.”
“Yes, I can.”
“I’m not a helpless little girl, Cipi.”
