Page 33 of Wrong Pawn. Right Capo.

“Then that should be Enzo’s business.”

I resist the urge to rub my temples. “Your father didn’t trust many people. But you were his little puppet. You definitely knew who he crossed, what he cherished… his darkest secrets. And that may be why your life is in danger.”

A flicker of annoyance passes through her eyes as she visibly tenses. “Don’t call me that.”

Seems I hit a nerve. Good.

“Call you what? A puppet?”

She steps closer, anger radiating from her as she points a finger right at me. “I can tolerate anything, but not you calling me that.”

She’s still shaking when I bark a dry laugh in her face. “If you walked with your father for years and don’t know simple secrets, even when it could save your life, then a puppet is exactly what you are.”

“Fuck you!” she growls, and before I know it, her palm connects with my face. “Fuck you, Adrian. You don’t know half of what I went through.”

Flexing my jaw, I take a step closer to her and whisper coldly, “Everyone went through shit. You’re just a weak puppet.”

Her palm flies toward my face again, but I catch it this time and growl in her face. “Prove it. Prove you’re not a weakling. Help yourself out of these death threats. Give me something substantial to work with.”

Her breath comes out in pants as she struggles against my grip, but I don’t let her go. Not until I get what I want.

“There were men he trusted when the doors were closed. Maybe just one or two your father was exclusive with. Those men might know what’s going on, or at least help us understand.”

I don’t know what the people after her want or if it’s confirmed to be connected to her father’s associates, but this is the best way to manipulate the conversation to my advantage.

Silence tightens the space between us, and her lips part slightly. Slowly, I lift my other hand and trail the corner of her lips with soft strokes.

“Let me help you, Elena. I hate seeing you hurt,” I whisper thickly.

Her eyes widen, then she swallows, looking like she’s contemplating something.

“I-I don’t know. There was a friend. Saw him just once.”

“Do you know his name?”

She nods meekly and whispers softly, “Silvio Esposito. He was the only man my father trusted besides Enzo.”

Bingo.

“Any idea of his whereabouts?”

She shuts her eyes as if trying to remember before opening them. “A-All I know is that he was a Harvard graduate.”

Releasing a deep breath, I nod softly and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Her breath hitches, and mine shallows. I don’t know if I lean in to kiss her to corroborate the whole fake caring act I just pulled… or not, but before our mouths connect, she steps back, cheeks flushed, and hurries out of the room.

Without hesitation, I bring out my phone and send a text to Francesco. Pull up all you can on Silvio Esposito.

Chapter eleven

Elena

My eyes snap open to a beeping sound.

I reach out to grab my phone from the nightstand, my eyes squinting at the sudden brightness.

It’s a text from Maya. “Hi Elena, trust you’re doing well? About the incident with Louis, please don’t worry, you or your bodyguard are not in any trouble of any sort, especially since we’ve had several complaints about Louis from other clients. I hope we can collaborate on other jobs in tranquility. Ciao!”

Sighing, I’m about to toss the phone away from me and return to sleep when another message notification pops up.