“Waiting eagerly, I see? That’s good, Don Grimaldi,” Grey Tony said approvingly.
The condescending prick had been prematurely greying in his twenties and earned the nickname before my time. He ran the import-export side of things, knew every port and airstrip in a fifty-mile radius, and had blackmail on many of the customs officers and other officials.
Unfortunately, he was greedy as hell.
Skimming from the books was not an offense I would overlook. Eliminating him would cost the famiglia. Someone would need to build the same rapport with the authorities. That would take time and precision—a problem for another day.
“Nonno, forgive my impudence, but you were under strict orders not to work tonight,” I said with a forced smile. “This gathering was for your enjoyment.”
The don flicked his wrist in a dismissive gesture. I didn’t miss the way his body swayed. It was a fraction, a small totter. He’d overdone it tonight.
“Your grandmother is the love of my life, but she frets for nothing,” he chuckled. “There’s important business that needs discussion.”
My mind scrambled to think of where Rae could hide. There weren’t very many places. Why—why—did I drag her into the upstairs den? At least if we’d stayed in the first room, there wasn’t enough seating there. The don didn’t like to have chats with his capos unless they were all comfortable, and he could lord it over them in grand style. Which meant the den. The place Rae was currently hiding.
Of all the stupid places…I hadn’t been fucking thinking straight!
“I only speak out of concern, sir,” I insisted. “Nonna will tan my hide if anything happens to you.”
The old men laughed. A chorus of deep rumbles. Every note mocked the genuine concern my grandmother had for her spouse. The noise grated on my ears.
“We’ll make it quick,” Alfonso conceded. “We just need to discuss the matter of Enzo—”
The don tsked sharply. “Notout here.”
“Forgive me, Don Grimaldi.” Alfonso reached for the door to the den, and my throat closed tight.
The men trailed inside. I looked over their heads, searching the space. The empty space.
I drew in a shallow breath and followed them inside. A second sweeping glance showed the space was indeed empty. There was no place for a ravenous beauty to conceal herself. Maybe behind the potted palms if Rae was of a smaller build.
Where are you, cherry-bomb?
Leaning against the closed door, my hands stayed by my side, ready to reach under the jacket and into the holsters. I silently promised a bloodbath if they hurt my woman.
“This business with Enzo is bad,” Gio intoned, drawing his foot over the opposite knee.
My grandfather leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin. Sweat beaded on his brow. He should’ve been in bed. “No one’s heard from him?”
“Not a trace, signore.” Tony steepled his hands. “His phone was found at his house. That gives us no indication if he left the country or if he was assassinated.”
I patted myself on the back. Not even my friends knew what had happened. It was better to exterminate the threat myself and keep the information hidden. There was only one other soul who knew the truth.
I liked that Rae caught me. It was good that she knew.
When I claimed her in the open, when I made her my queen, I wouldn’t hide from her. She was built to handle the underworld. I trusted her. Which was how it should be. The king and queen should be on the same page, both equal players in the games of strategy. The exact opposite of how my grandparents operated.
“Why would he leave?” my grandfather snapped. “He was a good man. Loyal. Selfless.”
Treacherous. Lazy. A threat.
My molars ground together. These men were blinded by years of working together. They overlooked corruption in the name of unity. It was easier for them to exist as a broken tribe than to face their own flaws.
“You think it was a murder, Don?” Benny leaned forward. “Who would hurt him?”
“The same people who took out Tony Capello? His fingers were gone, that has to be a personal hit!” Gio insisted.
Yeah, personal was the right thing to say in regard to that matter.
