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“And that would be?”
“Lazor Adamos’ body washed up on a shoreline in Chicago a few hours ago.”
“What?” This news was surprising.
“From what my sources were able to find, the man was assassinated, a bullet in each eye, his hands cut off.”
I was thrown by the method of kill. There was a single assassin who used the same MO, his signature. And I knew him well. I’d used him on two occasions when the intended targets had left the country. “Orpheus.”
“I thought he was a myth.”
I took a swig of my drink then swirled the rest of the liquid in the glass. “More like a legend. He’s dangerous, but I’d heard he’d retired.”
“Sounds like you know him.”
“I do. He’s pricy but always gets the job accomplished.”
“Then you may have a problem, my friend. Unfortunately, it would seem you have a price on your head. Perhaps you’re going to have another chance at seeing him again. Sadly, under entirely different circumstances.”
“They think I had Lazor killed.”
“They, meaning his brother, Casimine. I’m certain it also extends to Lazor’s son as well. It’s a good thing you’re in Italy, although if this Orpheus is any good, you might need to enlist some of your men for protection.” He gave me a strange look, a twinkle appearing in the corner of his eye.
“You know I can’t stay.”
His smile was confirmation he’d already suspected. “As I said, you’re very much like your father. When are you leaving?”
“After I handle business in the morning. Whatever is going on has a chance of destroying my family.” I turned my head in Cassidy’s direction again. “As well as the woman I’ve fallen in love with.”
He patted me on the back. “Just be careful. When finding what’s most important to you, there’s always a chance of collateral damage. I don’t need to tell you that.”
“No, you don’t. But this time, I have no intention of allowing anyone or anything to take her away from me.”
“You are a wise man, Valentin.”
As soon as she headed in my direction, he gave me a respectful nod and walked away.
There were lines on her pretty face, anxiety that would only leave once she and her daughter had been reunited. I would move heaven and earth to make that happen.
“Your friends are amazing,” she said quietly, her eyes searching mine.
“Yes, they are.” There was an awkwardness between us that would be difficult to bridge, two people who’d become trapped in a world not of their making.
I’d been born into the darkness, required to honor my family by maintaining certain standards of violence and chaos.
She’d been forced to experience the aftermath.
Our lust was fueled by the excitement of the unknown, a heightened level of danger. But I feared it would come crashing down, her heart crushed from the reality of who and what I was.
Yet I couldn’t find it within myself to ever let her go.
What I feared the most was no longer breaking her. She’d survive whatever I dished out.
It was damning her soul.
“Well, I’m going up to bed.” She waited as if I’d issue a series of commands.
“Try and get some sleep. We’re returning to New York late tomorrow morning.”
