Page 8 of Daddies of the Underworld

And still, the malevolence in the voice played over and over in my head. …will not survive the summit.

Who? Who would not survive?

I pressed the heels of my hands against my eye sockets until I saw stars. It was none of my business.

I was here to carry trays and pour wine. Rosa had been clear about everything else.

And if I had any possible questions, the paperwork had been even more clear. The events that took place here were none of my business.

None.

And yet, someone might die if I kept my mouth shut. I couldn’t live with that.

It might cost me my job, but I’d rather go hungry than have someone’s blood on my hands.

I sat up well before five, dressed, and made my way downstairs for my daily espresso. The gardener appeared again, unhurried as ever. I envied him so deeply it ached.

By the time my morning shift began, I’d thought through every possible outcome of my decision and every possible way I might inform Luca without actually losing my job.

I’d ended with a non-solution that meant I needed to find Luca without making it obvious.

He ended up making it easier for me, almost walking into me as I exited a corridor with an empty tray.

He walked with that casual stride and a ready smile that made my stomach clench. His expression shifted as he took me in with a sweeping look, falling into step beside me when I kept walking. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to tell you something.” I tightened my grip on the tray so I didn’t drop it. My throat went dry, and I had to swallow several times before my voice came back. “But not here.”

His eyebrows arched, an intrigued look passing over his face.

He turned toward the glass door at the end of the corridor and pushed it open, stepping onto a narrow side terrace no wider than a hallway.

Wisteria hung over the stone railing in fat, purple clusters. “Please, talk quickly. I have a meeting.”

“There were two men in the corridor last night.” I turned my back to the door and held the tray over my chest. “I didn’t see them, but I heard them. I know I’m supposed to forget everything I hear, but I cannot. Not this.” I took one last shaky breath and met his eyes. “They said someone would not survive the summit. I did not hear who, or if they meant man or woman.”

Luca’s face did not move. Not one muscle. If not for the glint of sunlight in his eyes, I’d think him a marble statue.

But then he sipped his coffee and tilted his head. “You’re certain that’s what you heard?” He sounded curious instead of worried, and that helped settle my nerves more than anything.

“Yes.” I licked my dry lips. “I needed to tell someone.”

“Yes, you did.” He took a step closer, filling my vision with his face. “Did they see you?”

My head moved before I found the breath to answer.

Standing this close to him sucked all the air from my lungs, and I might be worried the question was a threat except for the sudden softness in his eyes. “No. I was around the corner before the door opened.”

He slid his knuckles down my cheek. “Good. Go on and finish your service.”

Dismissed. Just like that. I swallowed tears at my foolishness and hurried away.

The door closed behind me with an almost silent click, followed by footsteps. More than one set. I paused at the corner and glanced back. Luca stood with Dante and Matteo, the three of them bending toward one another.

Matteo snapped his fingers, and one of the guards close by joined them.

The tightness around my chest eased, and I went back to filling water glasses.

Security doubled over the next hour. It was not subtle. More like a barrage of bodies that forced me to sidestep down every hallway.