Page 20 of Daddies of the Underworld

I held up a hand to stop her tirade. “Not every person who wishes for food will have that answered for them. There will always be those who take.

Those who take more than they should and give nothing back.

My one regret as I became this man and left my child self behind is that I didn’t do more. Having more will not bring happiness. It will not bring peace. That comes from within.”

She eyed me, her mouth opening slowly as though she couldn’t decide whether to call bullshit or crack a joke. “True. But knowing I have security would go a hell of a long way in that direction.”

I couldn’t help grinning at that. “Yes, it does. You have no reason to believe me, to believe any of us, but we will do our absolute damndest to ensure you never suffer, Nina.” With that, I cranked the car and drove us back to the villa.

By the time we returned, color had come back into Nina’s cheeks.

We’d argued on the way back about whether lemon desserts were superior to chocolate, and ended in a stalemate we’d agreed to break over dinner tonight.

Once I parked, I tapped her hand to hold her attention. “There’s one more thing.”

She hesitated, her lips pressing into a flat line. “What?”

“You do not have to choose.”

“What?”

I leaned in close enough her breath hitched. “You do not have to choose between us. We are all interested in you. Matteo, Dante, and me.” I poked my thumb into my chest. “We would be happy to elaborate on that if you have questions.”

Dante stepped out of the shadows along the side of the front entrance and motioned with three fingers.

“Damn.” I shook my head and sighed. “Stay close. Dante has discovered something.”

She waited for me to round the car and open her door, her hand slipping into mine with ease as I led the way up the steps to join Dante.

Matteo lingered in the shadows, his eyes gone glacier cold.

“What is it?” I barely waited until I reached the top step to speak.

Dante inclined his head toward Matteo, who rolled his shoulders down and back. “Someone accessed Nina’s employment record before the summit.”

The color drained from her face so quickly I pulled her into my side and draped my arm over her shoulders.

“We do not know who yet,” Matteo continued. “But the access was not authorized.” His gaze didn’t soften. That wasn’t Matteo’s style. “You may not be in danger because of what you overheard. You might have already been in danger.”

The candied orange peels I’d purchased from a roadside stand on the way back slipped from her hand. The paper bag hit the floor with a soft thud that should not have made my chest ache. It wasn’t the loss of the fruit that did it but the wounded look on Nina’s face. I bent to pick up the bag.

Nina stared past us, looking toward the front door. “It happened before the attack? But what does that mean? Why would someone want my employment record? Maybe it was just another employer. I put in a lot of applications.” Her voice rose with each question, hitting a hoarse note before she brought it under control. “This can’t be real. It has to be some nightmare.”

“With some delightful commentary and side characters.” As usual, I opted to joke my way out of the situation.

One look at Nina’s face and I regretted it. “It’s good that we have this information. We cannot protect you against what we do not understand. Now we know there are other games playing out. Other avenues we need to cut off.”

“We will protect you, Nina.” Matteo held still but the force of his words were strong enough to make even my heart settle.

Nina nodded once, the movement brisk. She took the bag of candied peels from me and lifted her chin. “I’m going to my room.”

“Before you go.” I fisted my hands to keep from reaching for her. “The gala tonight.”

“What about it?”

I hadn’t discussed this with Matteo and Dante, but I knew they’d agree with me. “We would like you to be there.”

Hesitation crossed her face before resolution took hold. “Fine.”