Page 77 of Taking His Heart

“No idea, but none of you are to leave this house.” Santo points at the younger generation of De Bellises.

Ares snorts. “Yeah, okay.”

“I’m serious. Vin, get your heathens under control. They can’t leave.”

Suddenly a knife is being thrown across the table, flinging right past Santo’s head and hitting the wall behind him.

“Call my kids heathens again and the next one will hit an eye,” Vin says in an eerily calm voice. Daniella’s Aunt Cammi says something to her husband and his whole demeanor shifts, turning from serial-killer creepy to happy and easygoing. “Sorry, Santo.”

“Thank you, Cammi,” Santo says.

“Okay, well, this heathen is going to go score the best guestroom.” Cara stands up.

“I’m coming! Us heathens need to stick together after all,” Ares says, directing his words to Santo. “Also, Zara is going to be here any minute now.”

“Zara’s coming over?” Daniella asks.

“Well, if I can’t leave, she has to,” Ares explains.

“Right, obviously.” Daniella shakes her head. “Okay, well, this has been fun. You all know where the bedrooms are. I’m going to bed.” Daniella pushes up from her seat. “You coming with me?”

“Is that an actual question?” I ask, standing beside her.

“Actually, I need a word with your husband,” Santo says, then shakes his head. “Fuck, that’s weird as shit.”

“Fine, but don’t keep him long,” Daniella tells him before leaving the room. Rosie jumps up and trails behind her sister.

“Come with me.” Santo stands and walks out into the hallway, followed by Marcel.

I’m not far behind them. We all end up in an office.

“Is it just me or does it feel like he’s watching?” Marcel asks, looking around the room.

“He?” Santo questions.

“Gio.”

“Oh, he’s watching.” I chuckle.

“How do you know?”

“He called me a little bit ago. Told me to get out of his daughter’s room. He’s watching.” I shrug.

“Well, if he’s watching, he can watch me drink his whiskey.” Marcel strolls over to the wet bar and picks up a bottle of Cinque.

“Don’t you all own that label?” I ask him.

“Yep, but this particular blend is Gio’s favorite, and we’re down to about ten bottles,” Marcel replies while holding the glass in the air.

The door opens and Ares walks in. Santo looks over at him. “Find anything?”

“I might be a heathen, but I’m no amateur,” Ares retorts. “I got him on street cams in the city. Checked into the Plaza about six hours ago.”

“The fucking asshole after Daniella?” I question.

“Yep.”

“Okay.” I turn and make my way to the door. I have a hotel to get to.