Page 230 of Lorenzo

I spent years believing there were certain fears I had already endured and would never have to revisit. I knew what it was to worry about my sons. I knew what it was to understand that loving someone gave the world another way to hurt me.

Donna has managed to remind me of that with remarkable efficiency.

“Waiting for Marcello to decide how and when he wants to make his next move gives him the advantage,” I continue. “So, instead, we push him into making one.”

Mario lowers his coffee.

“A trap.”

“Exactly.”

Ricardo leans back in his chair, considering it. “You want to make him believe he has to act immediately.”

“Yes.”

Diego shifts in his chair. “And how exactly would that work?”

I glance toward him.

“Donna has an idea.”

That earns me three different reactions.

Mario remains watchful. Ricardo’s brows rise slightly. Diego looks entertained.

I ignore all of them.

“She can make an inquiry about something connected to what she has already found. Nothing overt enough to look deliberate, but enough that if Marcello has people watching where she is digging, it should reach him.”

“What kind of inquiry?” Mario asks.

“One that suggests she has gotten closer to him than she actually has.”

Ricardo considers. “To make him think she is about to uncover something.”

“Yes. The point is to make him believe he is running out of time.”

“And you think that will bring him out?” Diego asks.

“I think Donna does.”

Diego’s gaze moves over my face. “You say that as though you remain unconvinced.”

“He has already broken into her office and home because he wants to know how much she knows. So yes, I am convinced it will work. I am less enthusiastic about the part where the woman I love gives Marcello Greco a reason to come after her.”

Ricardo gives a quiet hum of understanding.

Mario says nothing for several seconds.

He knows me well enough that I do not need to explain the rest. Every instinct I have tells me to take Donna somewhere Marcello cannot reach her and keep her there until this is over.

The problem is that Donna would never agree to it, and even if she did, hiding her does nothing to solve the actual problem.

Marcello would still be out there.

Still waiting.

Still choosing the moment.