There’s a flash of surprise on Enzo’s face before he grins, lowering his too. “Does he get to make any decisions?”
“Shut up, Enzo,” I say, passing him and striding in the villa.
It’s quiet indoors, so I don’t think Enzo was lying about Salvatore being out. It explains some of the confusion at the gate too. Based on my brother’s unkempt appearance, he was woken up by the call.
A small, surprised squeak sounds overhead. A young woman is standing on the circular staircase, wrapped in a white sheet.
“Ciao,” I say, waving at her. “I’m Enzo’s sister. Nice to meet you.”
Enzo hisses my name, walking over to the base of the stairs. “Go back to bed,” he calls. “I’ll be right there.”
I stifle a laugh, watching the woman scramble back upstairs. “Sorry we interrupted.”
“No, you’re not.” Enzo pulls out his phone. “I’ll have Luca come over until Papà returns.”
“Tell your girlfriend to get dressed and come downstairs. I’d like to meet her.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Lover? Fuck buddy? Paramour? Which term do you prefer?”
Enzo slips his phone back into his pocket. “Luca is on his way.”
“Has Luca met your …” I let my voice trail, allowing him an opportunity to fill in the blank.
Nothing.
I sigh. “Fine. What’s her name?”
More silence. This one feels less intentional.
“Unbelievable. You don’t know, do you?”
“We met last night. I’m pretty sure it starts with—” He shakes his head once. “Are you seriously trying to lecture me after you?—”
“Whose car is outside?”
Both Enzo and I automatically glance toward the familiar voice. I hear the steps approaching, prefacing Salvatore appearing in the doorway by a couple of seconds.
I speak first. “Hello, Papà.”
LOOK AFTER YOU
Iscrutinize Salvatore Caruso closely, ready to react if he pulls a weapon like his youngest son did.
He doesn’t. He stares at Carina like she’s an apparition that might disappear at any moment. Tall, in decent shape for his age, and dressed in a custom suit, he appears more like a gentleman than any boss I’ve encountered.
Until his cool, calculated gaze sweeps around, lingering on me, and I glimpse some savagery. Salvatore’s lip curls, as though he’s sniffed something bad, before his eyes return to his daughter. The rapid Italian sounds more foreign than usual, following the extended silence. I’m trying to catch up, to translate, when I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
The woman halts on the stairs landing, now wearing a short dress and high heels. Pink floods her cheeks when her eyes meet mine, and then they dart around.
“Can we talk in your office?” Carina asks the question in English.
Salvatore glances at me, asking if I speak Italian in Italian. Rather disdainfully.
“Do you speak Russian?” Carina retorts, spinning and walking deeper into the house.
I know Salvatore won’t want to show me his back, so I follow her first. The only thing the Carusos would gain from killing me is a powerful enemy. They’ll avoid doing so, but they also have no idea why I’m here and view me as an immediate threat. My family might distrust Carina, but they don’t fear her.
