Massimo leans back, studying me. "Just don't confuse protecting with hovering."
"I don't hover." I sigh, regretting ever pulling the phone out.
Enzo, of course, won't let it go. "You installed cameras."
"For security." That's all they're getting.
"In her house?"
I glare at him. He's enjoying this far too much. So I ignore the question completely. Amauri gasps again. "You are a spy!"
I can't ignore the kid. "If I were a spy, you wouldn't know."
His eyes go wide. "That's so cool."
Thank fuck the conversation moves on. Until Enzo asks a question that freezes both Massimo and Jenna. It sounds innocent enough. But it hits like a landmine. "So, how did you two meet?"
Massimo stiffens. Jaw tight. Eyes sharp. He doesn't want us to know. Amauri perks up instantly. "Yeah! Mummy never told me!"
Massimo shoots Enzo a look that would make most men reconsider their life choices.
Enzo lifts both hands. "What? It's a normal question."
My interest sharpens. Ten years ago, Massimo and I were already close. He never mentioned her. Interesting. I slip the phone into my pocket, noticing briefly that Audra and Pete are watching a movie now. He must have gotten home, and I missed it. What I don't miss is that they're not curled up together like they usually are.
Then Jenna drops the bomb. "He helped me get rid of a body."
Silence. Utter silence. Massimo turns his head toward her slowly. His eyes scream:Are you fucking serious?
"A body?" Amauri echoes, eyes enormous.
Jenna grins and winks, not at him, at us. "A raccoon. I accidentally ran it over."
She's using the raccoon we mentioned earlier as cover, knowing fully well the kid is listening. The wink tells us everything we need to know. Same game. Different audience. I study her again. She looks fragile enough that a strong wind might knock her over. Soft voice. Delicate frame. Hardto imagine her dragging a corpse somewhere. Then again… appearances lie.
It would explain a lot. Massimo keeping her a secret. The way he's glaring at her now, like she just fired a grenade across the table. Which only strengthens my suspicion that her first answer was closer to the truth than the raccoon.
The corner of my mouth twitches. Damiano coughs into his napkin, trying to hide a grin. Alessio watches Jenna with quiet interest, like she just passed some kind of silent initiation. Massimo closes his eyes briefly and shakes his head. He leans closer and mutters something into Jenna's ear. Jenna whispers something back.
Amauri watches the two of them, suspicion written all over his face. "You guys are being weird."
Massimo ruffles his hair. "Get used to it."
After dessert, I catch Massimo's eye and tilt my head toward the balcony. I still need to talk to him. He nods once, and a minute later, we step outside. The night air is warm, thick with the smell of the city. Traffic murmurs far below us. Somewhere down the Strip, a siren wails. Laughter drifts up from the street like Vegas itself is mocking us.
Massimo leans his forearms on the railing. "What's up?"
I don't beat around the bush. "El Recaudador called again."
Massimo exhales slowly. "The fucker is starting to irritate me."
"Same offer. Same pitch. Leave you. Come work for him." I sum up the conversation.
Massimo scoffs. "He's a persistent pain in the ass."
"He's patient," I correct. "This guy isn't some wannabe gangster with a burner phone. He knows what he's doing."
Unfortunately. He's been undermining us for weeks, slowly infiltrating our operations, seeding distrust. Massimo nods. "I know."
