I feel a prickle of agitation at his dismissive tone, but then I remember I genuinely have no reason to be present for a conversation between him and his boss. Why would Gino even want me there?
Gino links his fingers on the table in front of him. “This is something that concerns the two of you.”
Nero’s profile hardens. He reaches for my hand again and interlaces our fingers, as if trying to reassure me.
Or himself.
“I’ll join you too,” Cosimo says.
“That won’t be necessary, son,” Gino says as he gets to his feet. “You and Alessio can get started on dessert. We won’t be long.”
The dismissal clearly ticks off Cosimo, and he narrows his eyes in displeasure as Vita, Nero, and I rise. Alessio doesn’t seem to care, though. He’s playing some game on his phone.
Nero tugs me closer to him as we make our way to Gino’s office. He leans in and whispers, “Don’t be afraid. Whatever this is, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I blink at him. I’m not getting a threatening vibe from Gino, but it’s clear Nero’s worried about something. What is it?
In the office, Nero and I take a seat on one of the cream sofas in the sitting area, while Gino and Vita settle in across from us.
Vita pours us some white wine. When I catch her eye as she sets the bottle down, there’s something there that I didn’t notice before. Something cunning.
There’s far more to this woman than just being the don’s hospitable wife.
Nero places a palm on my lower back. “Let’s cut to the chase, Gino. What is this about?”
The silver-haired man smiles as his wife takes a seat beside him. “Do you remember the last time you were here, Nero?”
“Of course,” Nero says roughly.
“You were right there—” Gino points to a spot in front of the desk “—on your knees before me.”
Ice slides down my veins. What?
“Do know why I didn’t pull the trigger that day?”
My eyes dart toward Nero. Ferraro came that close to killing him?
It was true. It was all true.
Nero nearly died for me.
The hand on my lower back curls into the fabric of my dress. “No. But I’m guessing you’re finally gonna tell me.”
“Rafaele’s exact words were that you’re an asset. And he was right. There’s a job that you’re uniquely positioned to do for me.”
“It sure as fuck isn’t what you have me doing now,” Nero says.
“No, it’s not,” Gino agrees.
“What is it then?” A note of impatience slips into Nero’s tone.
I force myself to focus on what Gino’s saying despite my racing thoughts and the rapid beating of my heart.
Gino smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “We want you to infiltrate the Bratva and help us find the pakhan.”
Infiltrate the who and find the what?
Nero seems to know exactly what Gino’s talking about. “How do you expect me to do that?”
