Page 67 of Dante

“Well, I’m a little worried,” I confess. “What was Dante saying in that speech?”

“Nothing,” he says quickly. “It was just a speech.”

“It sounded like more. Look, I’m pleased that Silvio likes my caricature enough to have it mounted alongside the family founder. But I feel like he’s using it to make a statement about his position in the family.”

Lorenzo shakes his head. “Gina, you’re new to the organization. Don’t try to understand it all yet. You will, in time.”

“Do you think this means some kind of inter-family war? On top of this Petrov threat?”

I’m about to mention my shooting lessons tomorrow, but remember that Dante warned me to keep it to myself.

“Gina, relax,” says Lorenzo, putting his hands on both my shoulders.

“Calm down. Like I said, this life is new to you. Me, Dante, and Luca have been living with inter-family feuds and hostile enemies all our lives. And guess what? We’re all still alive. Feel better?”

“No,” I say with a smile. “But thanks for trying.

Lorenzo’s phone buzzes, and he turns away to answer the call. I try not to pay attention until I hear Mary’s name.

“Thanks for the heads up,” he says, looking shaken as he disconnects.

“Was that about Dante’s late wife?”

“Brace yourself,” he says with a sigh. “You know how Mary died, right?”

“Angie said she was drunk and hit her head on some rocks after a party.”

“‘Correct. But a tabloid planted a story that Dante had killed her," Lorenzo's voice drops.

“Dante thought he’d nipped it. When Vanity Fair planned to turn the rumor into a feature, he paid the publisher off to kill it.”

Lorenzo pauses. “The latest issue just hit the stands. Story’s in it. Dante’s face on the cover.”

I gasp and look again for Dante in the crowd. Whether he’s heard the news or not, it’s hard to tell.

“What evidence do they have?”

Lorenzo shakes his head. “None. Just scattered interviews with people pretending to know the truth. But someone with more influence than us made that story come alive again.”

He narrows his eyes at Silvio. “I’d better tell Dante.”

I watch him walk over and see the two brothers talk.

A shiver runs through me. I’ve never dared believe the rumor. But what if the story of Dante killing Mary is true?

CHAPTER 25

GINA

The next morning, I awaken to the sound of Biscotti scratching at my bedpost.

I’m wearing my sexiest silk nightgown and panties, as I’d hoped that after the museum party Dante would come to my room.

But I’ve been alone in the enormous bed all night, with only an attention-hungry puppy for companionship.

I bend to pet Biscotti as I make my way toward my bathroom for a leisurely shower. It’s only 7am, and we don’t have to be at the shooting range for another two hours.

I stop to look at myself in the full length mirror.