Page 72 of Dante

“I understand,” I force myself to say. But I really don’t.

“Now, this gun I’m giving you,” he says, handing me his well-shined Beretta.

“It stays between you and me. No one must know you’ve taken these shooting lessons. No one must know you know how to shoot.”

“Is that why you didn’t have Thomas drive us today?” I ask. “You feel he’s an enemy? A spy?”

“Not at all. Thomas is young, but he’s one of my most trusted men. It’s just that no one is above being bribed or otherwise coerced into turning against me.”

“Thomas would kill you for money? A bribe?”

“Money is a powerful influence. And the Russians are ruthless. They can turn a member of my team disloyal by kidnapping a wife, parent, or child. Torturing them. I’ve seen it done. So the fewer people who know about this, even Thomas, the better. Promise me you’ll keep this our secret.”

“I promise, Dante.”

As I put on my coat, I can tell something is different now.

I’ve earned Dante’s respect, and maybe his trust. I just wonder how far I’ll have to go to keep it.

CHAPTER 27

GINA

My palms still tingle from the gun’s kickback as our limousine glides to a stop. Through tinted windows, the sleek facade of Dante’s nightclub stands down the street.

“Are we swinging by Inferno for a reason?” I ask.

“Not the Inferno,” he says as we pull into the lot across the street where the vacant restaurant sits. “I thought you might want to see your new canvas.”

“Canvas?”

It takes me a moment to figure out what Dante means.

The driver opens the door and helps me out.

The restaurant rises before us, its windows dark but full of possibility.

I can already imagine it open and bustling, a hostess at the front, booths filled with laughing guests enjoying delicious food.

My pulse races as I realize what Dante might be offering.

He steps out of the car and presses something cold and metallic into my palm. “Here’s the key. Why don’t you do the honors of opening the door?”

I stare at him in disbelief as my fingers close around the key. “Does this mean you’ve bought the restaurant?”

“Almost,” he says, with the barest hint of a smile. He checks his watch. “The real estate agent is on his way to finalize the paperwork.”

I throw myself at him, my arms circling his neck. “Wait,” I whisper, pulling back slightly. “Where are Lorenzo and Luca? Shouldn’t they be part of this?”

“Open the door, Gina,” Dante commands.

My hand trembles slightly as I slide the key into the lock and push the door open.

“Surprise!”

Lorenzo and Luca stand waiting inside. Lorenzo leans against what will someday be a hostess stand, and Luca’s grin spreads across his face.

When we enter, Lorenzo wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Congratulations, Gina. You worked your magic on the Iceberg.”