AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I walk around the bar counter, grab a bottle of Macallan forty-year-old, and pour a healthy dose into a glass.
Adrian walks over to join me, followed by Massimo and Luca.
Adrian takes the bottle and pours whiskey into their glasses. He slides one over to Massimo as Luca picks up his own glass.
"To Nonna," I murmur.
"To Nonna." My brothers raise their glasses and we clink.
"Remember how all seven of us would spend most of our time here at Venom?" Luca comments.
"Michael and Christian are married. It’s natural for them to spend more time at home," Adrian remarks. "And Xander…" He stares into his glass. "I miss Xander. And now Nonna. Damn, everything’s changing."
"Change is good.” I drain my glass. "Change is what keeps us from losing our edge."
"So that’s why you proposed to her, because you want change in your life?" Massimo asks.
"I proposed to her because I promised Nonna I’d get married within the month."
"And it has nothing to do with how you’ve developed feelings for her?" Luca smirks.
"What are you talking about?"
"You pushed Elsa out of the way of a bullet and threw yourself over her to protect her, then insisted on dressing her wound and driving her home, by way of the hospital, only to appear preoccupied for the next few days… Well… Clearly, you’re developing feelings for her."
"Anything else, Montalbano?" I ask, referring to the well-known fictional Italian detective who has achieved cult status in this country.
"You mean Sherlock, don’t you?" Luca grins.
"Cazzo, and I thought you and Axel didn’t get along," I reply.
"We don’t." His gaze narrows.
"And yet, that’s the second British reference you’ve made in passing today." I place my elbow on the counter. "Is the Brit your new best friend?"
"As you well know, Axel and I are not friends." He points his finger at me. "Don’t change the topic,fratello. We’re brothers. We have our differences, but when one of us is threatened, we stand up for each other."
I rub the back of my neck. I hadn’t expected to hear that from Luca, but I have to admit, it’s reassuring. And much as I hate to accept it, Fabio’s a formidable enemy. If there’s anyone who could stand up to the Mafia in Italy, it’s him. The man’s corrupt, of course, but he’s been taking bribes from our rivals, theCamorra,who hold sway from theCampaniaregion in Italy.He owes his allegiance to them, which means he’s out to get us. And this gives him a perfect excuse. What’s worse, now he knows my weakness. If he does anything to her, I’ll kill him, and that would only spark a full-fledged war, which could bring the kind of destruction that wouldn’t be good for anyone. And he’s the father of her child.
"Cazzo!"I drain my glass and slap it down on the counter and reach for the bottle.
Massimo snatches it away from me. "Talk first," he growls. "It’s not going to help if you get so drunk you’re not thinking straight."
"It’s a start." I pivot and begin to pace.
"If nothing else, it will help to get it off your chest," Adrian says in a reasonable tone.
"Do you have to be so fucking reasonable and calm about everything?" I round on him. "You’ve never been in my position, so don’t attempt to give me advice."
His jaw tightens. "Haven’t I?" He holds out his hand and Massimo passes the bottle to him. Adrian drinks straight from the bottle and I blink. The gentlemanly Adrian, who believes in following the rules in every aspect of his life, acting out of character? Have I touched on a nerve?
"It’s Cass, isn’t it?" I prop my hands on my hips. "If you feel so much for her, why don’t you do something about it?"
"Why don’t you get your own house in order first? Why are you so twisted up about marrying Elsa anyway? What’s the deal there?" Adrian points at me with the bottle. "Is she in love with someone else?"
I stiffen.
"Gesù Christo." Adrian straightens. "Sheisin love with someone else."
