Huh. He’s moving fast. Blake will be pleased to hear our efforts have paid off. “You got some more details?”
“The penthouse is being watched. There’s a black Mercedes parked half a block east, and there are guys on each of the exits. They’re dressed in athletic gear and caps.”
Great. Who doesn’t love having a few trigger-happy Russians on their doorstep? “Do you think Maksim is acting on his own or with the pakhan’s blessing?”
“It’s doubtful he went straight to the top. Given his position, he won’t tell the pakhan about you until he’s absolutely certain he’s got you leashed.”
Irritation spikes through me. Me, on a fucking leash? I thought my pride went out the window the moment Gino told me to get on my knees in his office, but it looks like it’s still here, because that image makes me want to shove Gino’s face into a fucking wall.
“And how is he going to do that?” I growl.
“We have to wait and see. Another accidental run-in would be too suspicious. But if he’s put his guys on you, you’ve clearly caught his attention.”
Did I?
Or did Blake?
I didn’t miss the way Maksim looked at her last night. He practically frothed at the mouth over my wife.
My. Fucking. Wife.
“If I had to guess, he wants to monitor who’s coming in and out to see you. Vita won’t be stopping by anymore. Every discussion from now on will take place over this secure line. I’ll make sure Rafaele also gets the memo. I don’t want him around you at all. We need to sell the idea that there’s a rift between you two.”
I sniff. “All right.”
That won’t be hard. Rafaele has kept his distance, and I don’t know if it’s because he feels weird about what almost happened in Gino’s office, or if it’s something else.
An ache spreads through my chest. There was a time when we were inseparable.
But Maksim was right about one thing last night. Things change.
“You need to get him to trust you, Nero. He’ll do whatever he needs to do in order to get a feel for where you stand.”
“Yeah, I got it. You don’t need to hold my hand.” Frankly, if all I’ve got to do is convince Maksim I’m hungry for revenge, it won’t be hard. I’d never betray Rafe, but Blake’s right. My current situation isn’t good. She deserves better than a husband who’s got less power and influence than a low-level soldier.
“Is that disrespect I hear in your tone, De Luca?”
Fucking Ferraro. He’s giving me plenty of frustration I can channel into the lies I’ll feed Maksim.
“Just getting in character, Your Majesty. We’ll be in touch.” I toss my phone on the nightstand and let out a sigh. I hate being bossed around by this asshole. Rafe was never a condescending piece of shit like him.
Irritation buzzes beneath my skin as I throw off the blanket and sit on the edge of the bed. Outside the window, the city I once ruled goes about its business as usual.
Seriously, though, why the fuck did Maksim look at Blake like that? There was a certain glint in his eye—a glint that a married man shouldn’t have, especially not with his wife standing right beside him. A glint that a man speaking to the wife of theAngel of Death shouldn’t dare possess. Unless, of course, that nickname doesn’t carry the weight it used to.
Working with Rafe always felt like a partnership. Yes, he had final veto power, but it rarely came to that. He listened to me, respected me, and valued me.
Gino doesn’t.
If my boss treats me like a nobody, soon enough, everyone else in the city will catch on.
I swallow hard. My problems seem to be multiplying, but they will be solved if Blake and I pull this thing off.
Even though the main reason I agreed to the plan was because I think it’ll bring Blake and me closer together, it will be nice to be a capo again.
Gino’s capo. And eventually, Cosimo’s.
But that’s better than being Alessio’s lackey.
