AllFreeNovel
Share Us
For now, however, taking a step back is a necessary move to get a better view of the playing board. I need to strategize, and with my right-hand man missing and likely dead, I can’t afford to make any stupid moves. If Milo is to be trusted — and that is a very bigif— then I’ll be fighting a war on two fronts: one against Renato and one against my own captain.
Before I can act, I need proof. Until then, I’ll wait.
I can’t remember the last time I spent this much time at my apartment. Running Lorenzo’s territory meant I’d be home to shower and sleep, but nothing more. That man had me constantly on the go, ensuring his kingdom ran like clockwork. I think back to Milo’s words.
It could all be yours and he knows it.
That’s why he’s been ordering hits against you.
I’m in the kitchen, debating whether it’s too early to pour myself a scotch. I’m playing a mental game of chess, except all the pieces move on their own accord and they all have their own personal motivations guiding their actions. It’s stressful as hell. Surely nobody will judge me if I need a drink at four in the afternoon.
Can Milo really be trusted? The man’s been a snake for as long as I’ve known him. Why would Elio make such a fatal mistake? He knows as well as I do that SoHo is off-limits to us right now. Where in the world did Lorenzo get the idea that I’d ever betray him for his territory? I’ve given him nothing but my undying loyalty and devotion these past fifteen years…
“Up!”
I turn to find Felicia next to me, tugging on my pant leg. It’s taken a bit of getting used to, but I’m finally starting to feel at ease around her. Getting to see my daughter’s bright smile, hear her darling laugh, count those cute freckles on her nose and cheeks brings me so much joy that I sometimes don’t know what to do with myself.
I crouch down and chuckle lightly. “What are you doing, principessa?”
“Mommy and me are playing hide ‘n’ seek.” She stretches her hands up over her head. “Up, please!”
“Oh, I see. Are you trying to get me to help you?”
Felicia nods. “Up, up, up!”
“I’m not sure that’s allowed.”
She bats her long eyelashes at me and pouts her lips. “Meanie!”
I chuckle. She reminds me so much of Arin it makes my heart melt. I sigh and pick her up, unable to deny her any longer. Felicia clutches my shirt and points toward the west wing of the apartment. “Run, run!” she orders.
Somewhere down the hall, I can hear Arin counting loudly and slowly to ten. She’s at five, which means we’re running out of time.
“Hang on tight, little one. Stay nice and quiet.”
Felicia puts her index finger to her lips as a vow of silence.
I don’t take her very far and pick a pretty obvious spot in the hallway linen closet, the door left open a crack to give Arin a clue. A few seconds later, soft footsteps pad across the floor. Felicia has a hard time keeping her giggles in when Arin calls out, “Come out, come out, wherever you are!”
Arin finds us without any trouble, Felicia bursting into a fit of laughter when her mother opens the door all the way. As beautiful as the sound of Felicia’s joy is to my ears, Arin’s dazzling smile is what captures my attention. She takes her little girl and presses a flurry of kisses to Felicia’s face, blowing raspberries against her cheeks.
“Mommy! Mommy, tickles!”
“Very clever, getting Dom to help you. I almost didn’t know where you went!”
“My turn to count!” Felicia proclaims. “One… Two…”
Arin giggles, setting Felicia down. “Wait a second. Don’t start counting, we’re not ready yet.”
I arch a brow. “We?”
Without another word, Arin takes my hand and pulls me with her while Felicia continues to count, hiding her little eyes behind her palms.
“Come on,” Arin says. “Let’s hide.”
“But I have things to—”
“Aww, don’t be a chicken. Hurry!”
