She’d been kidnapped as a baby?
Christ, no wonder she’s the way she is.
“Yes,” Slayer says bluntly.
Asch gives me a look, but I shake my head.
“Tell me what’s going on. Do I need to come up there?” Slayer asks.
“Nah. I can handle myself.” Pandora leans against River, and he wraps his arm around her shoulders. “I’ve got an entire harem, I’ve got three knives, I know where the heavy duty table saw is… That’s plenty.”
She has a harem?
No, more to the point, she hasthreeknives?
“A harem and three knives wouldn’t mean jack shit if a Romano is involved,” Slayer replies grimly. “They’re supposed to be gone for a reason.”
“Well, from what I hear, you massacred the entire family.” Pandora giggles wildly. “Did you help? Or did Papa do it all on his own?”
“Do you have me on speaker?” Slayer demands. “Panda, I swear, you and Giulio…” He sighs. “All right. Plenty of people think that the Pavone family is responsible for the Romanos.”
I can barely get myself to take a breath.
This is what was missing.
This is why Ezio wouldn’t let it go.
Even if Pandora hadn’t been involved, he would have focused on her.
Shit, and I’m the one who asked about the Pavones in the first place. I told my father I was seeing Pandora Pavone. After twenty years, Ezio might have forgotten about his revenge—well, no, he was already set on it ten years ago, but for all I know he was too busy working for my father.
Until I delivered Pandora right into his lap.
“Yeah I’m recording so I can snitch on you to the pigs,” Pandora says glibly. “Anyway, that’s all I wanted to know I guess. Give my love to the fam.”
“You’re coming home for Thanksgiving, right?” Slayer asks. “Giulio is already planning an all-out feast.”
Pandora glances around the room. “Umm… can I bring some friends?”
My brow furrows, and I shake my head.
River’s eyes narrow.
“You know the more the merrier,” Slayer says, “but don’t think I’m going to get distracted that easily. If anyone is harassing you and saying they’re from the Romanos, they need to be dealt with. Let me, Giulio, and Damien help.”
“Nah. I’m not into the whole damsel-in-distress stuff,” Pandora says. “Not anymore, I mean. But if I’m kidnapped and need an entire family massacred, I’ll let you know. Bye!”
She hangs up before Slayer can do more than sputter a response.
Pandora glances around. “Well, you heard him. The more the merrier! I’ll let Papa know that you’re joining us for Thanksgiving.”
“I amnotjoining you for Thanksgiving,” River says, releasing his hold on her. “Your family hates me.”
Asch’s brows furrow. “That sounds awkward,” he remarks. “What are you going to say, that you wanted your three boyfriends there?”
Pandora tilts her head. “Yeah? It’s not like they’ve got room to judge.”
I groan. “Pandora, we can’t just…. Let’s focus on the immediate problem. Thanksgiving is for after.”
