Page 33 of Fall Before Her Throne

And how did they get this number?

And why did I feel a sinking in my gut?

The rest of the guys started talking over one another, disagreeing about whether or not I should answer it. In the corner of my eye, I spotted Max hovering in the arched entryway to the kitchen. I held up a hand and shushed everyone. The phone went dark, and then it rang again.

With a sigh, I looked at Obi. “I’m answering it.”

His lips pressed together while he stood and moved behind me. “Ciel, can you try to trace it?”

My hacker snatched his tablet from the kitchen island and started tapping away. “I’ll try,” he murmured before he glanced at me. “Okay. Answer it.”

I pressed the accept call button and turned on speakerphone. “Hello?”

“Ciao, signorina,” a smooth deep voice said from the other side.

Max’s head snapped up. Obi tensed, eyes locked on the phone. It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together.

“Piero Greco,” I said. All my men sat forward, staring at the phone. Max took three steps closer. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Fuck. How the hell did he get this number? Could Ciel trace it?

The look on Ciel’s face said it all. Lucia. She could always get through our defenses, but just because he knew the number didn’t mean we were exposed. He kept tapping on his tablet, but the frustrated look on his face said it all. Untraceable.

“It is lovely to speak with you.” Greco’s voice was slightly amused. Like he had all the cards, and I had none. It certainly felt that way.

“I would say likewise, but I’d be lying.”

He chuckled. “I heard you were sharp.”

“Sharp enough to cut. Why are you calling?”

“Fine, we may move past the pleasantries,” he responded smoothly. “I understand you killed the men I sent after Maximiliano.”

My eyes flicked to his. He’d inched closer. His throat bobbed as he swallowed.

“I did,” I answered.

“That was bold of you. And unwise.”

I snorted. “You sent your men to kill me. I think that’s pretty bold.”

“Ah, ah,” he scolded. “I sent my men to kill Maximiliano. It’s not my fault he dragged you into this mess.”

Max’s hands tightened at his sides, but his mask was firmly back in place. No emotions. No feeling.

My lips pressed together. “I would have been dragged into it, regardless.”

“Perhaps, perhaps not. That’s why I called.” He seemed far too relaxed for me to feel happy about what he was about to say. The back of my neck prickled with unease. “Allora, I am calling a meeting and you will be there.”

Obi and I locked eyes again. This couldn’t be good. “What kind of meeting?”

“We need to talk, all of us leaders.”

“Talk about what?”

“How things will be from now on.” The way his voice felt so confident, so assured that we would capitulate to his demands, had anger flaring down my back.

“It doesn’t sound like I’ll enjoy this conversation.”