Page 144 of No Greater Oblivion

The doors to my study burst open and Oscar storms inside, followed by Pedro who’s quick to swing them closed behind them.

“You would not believe what I just found out,” Oscar announces.

“Better be good.” I glance at the watch on my wrist. “I’m meeting Regina in a half hour.”

Five voices overlap at once.

“You’re meeting Regina?”

“Why?”

“Since when?”

“For what?”

“And where?”

“She called and asked for a meeting.” I give a light shrug. “Technically, I owe her one and for what I have planned, it’d be easier if we had her help.”

“She’s going to kill you,” Beni states matter-of-factly. “You kidnapped her sister.”

“And she ruined our wedding. She’ll get over it.” I lean against the desk and motion for Oscar to fully enter the room. “Hurry up, we don’t have all night.”

“Regina has a child.”

“A child?” I practically choke on the word. “Since when?”

“And where,” Mauricio says.

“Is the child hidden?” Dimitrio asks.

“And how did you even find that out?” I add.

“Hello!” Pedro interrupts. “Can you let him explain before you bombard him with questions?”

“I’d also like to know how this is relevant,” Dimitrio scolds. “We’re in the middle of⁠—”

“Four years ago.” Oscar catches his breath. “In Corsica. That’s why no one knew.”

I lose my grip on the edge of my desk and one of the paperweights falls over.

Dimitrio sits up. “Four years ago when?”

Oscar turns his head. “When?”

“Yes, when, like what month?”

“I think sometime in⁠—”

“May.” I finish.

Nine months after our wedding.

Everyone turns to look at me.

Dimitrio takes control of the conversation. “Was it a boy or a girl? And where are they?”

“We have no idea,” Pedro says. “We found out by accident. One of Sandro’s last capos was caught surveilling the area around the lounge. When we grabbed him, he offered information in exchange for his freedom. Apparently it’s gotten around that we’ve made a habit of making his capos disappear.”