I groan. “What I need is some Motrin for this headache I have.”
Opening the cabinet, I grab the tiny bottle, then sit down in the breakfast nook. The scents of vanilla and chocolate cream fill my nose as I open the box and find an assortment of Italian pastries.
“Thank you.”
“So how was the party?” Lucia sits down across from me.
“It was a lot of fun. Dominic was hired for a new case. Oh, and you’ll never believe who I ran into at the gala. Valerio Neri.”
“You’re kidding.” Lucia gasps.
I shake my head. Then I tell her the whole story.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he is behind this. He’s wanted our territory for years. Someone on our team could be working for him. Maybe one of the guards.” Lucia gets up to check the coffee. “What time did you get home last night? I waited up for you, then fell asleep.”
“That was my plan, I snuck back into my house when I knew everyone was asleep.” I go over to the sink and fill a glass with water. Then I pop the pills into my mouth and drink.
Lucia’s eyes grow wide. “You slept with him, didn’t you?”
I almost choke on the water. “What?”
“I knew those panties would come off.” Lucia is practically dancing with delight. She loves winning bets.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Luci.”
“I’m your best friend. I can always tell when you get laid. You have a glow about you right now and your hair looks like a man was running his fingers all through it.” She giggles.
It looks like there’s no getting out of this.
“No, I didn’t actually sleep with him.” I take a plate from the cabinet and walk back to the table.
“Well?”
I sit down and open the box of pastries. “He ate me out in the limo.” I grab a Sfogliatelle and put it on the plate.
Lucia squeals. “Cipi!”
I take a bite so I don’t have to reply.
“I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing,” Lucia squeals. “I’m happy you got laid, but I also don’t want you to get your heart broken again.”
I hold up my hand. “I know it wasn’t a good idea, but we were drunk. It won’t happen again.”
Just then the front door opens and I hear Nonna calling my name.
“In the kitchen,” I reply.
Nonna enters with a suspicious look on her face. “Who dropped you off last night? I saw a limo leaving the compound.”
“It was a business meeting.” I shrug, surprised at how easy the lie rolls off my tongue.
“You shouldn’t be conducting business after the incident.”
“Nonna, I’m still the boss. Work doesn’t stop just because I got shot. I don’t need the other families getting suspicious. This life waits for no one. There will always be someone ready to take everything from you if you don’t stay on top of things. You should know this better than anyone and you know not to ask questions.”
Nonna clicks her tongue and mutters in Italian. “You better be careful. I don’t like all this. First you, now Bruno. There’s a rat among us.”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out, Nonna,” I give her a kiss. “I have my best men on this.”
