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“Half the time he doesn’t know what year we’re in. He wants to shoot everything that moves, Al Capone style.” His tone was cool and casual.
“Do you mean unseat or kill?”
“He’s making it easy for you.”
“Right. We’re back to the marriage thing.” I rested both forearms on the rail and formed a steeple with my hands. “The answer’s still hell no.”
When he didn’t come back with the usual retort, I turned to face him again. I followed his line of sight to the woman at one of the poker tables. She wore a backless dress that offered a full view of her smooth back and a tiny bit of the curve of her waist. Next to me, Rex released a breath.
“You know, I was thinking maybe I should throw my name in the hat for the king position.” Such a thing wasn’t possible, but I knew his attention had shifted to Caterina Alfera, the woman who almost got him killed last year. As a reward, he had married her. “Still thinking with your dick, I see.” I gave him a hard pat on the back.
“Fuck off.” He adjusted his jacket, his gaze never leaving his wife.
“Your obsession for her should’ve killed you.”
“But it didn’t.” He smiled in her direction. It was there only for a second. If I hadn’t been studying his profile, I would’ve missed it. He shifted his weight, then turned to me, apparently satisfied now that Caterina was making her way toward us. “I hear my message wasn’t well-received in Chicago.”
“That’s one way to put it.” I shrugged. “I gave them their first and only warning. They seem to think they no longer answer to the Society.”
“We’ll have to remedy that.”
“Yes, we do. How are we going to do that? You’re the mastermind here. I’m just your puppet. Do make it something not diplomatic, though.”
“Agreed. We’re past that point with that lot.”
I cocked my head to make eye contact with Caterina. I adjusted my cufflinks and flashed her my most charming smile. “Caterina, half the men in this room can’t stop staring at you. You look more beautiful than I remember.”
She chuckled at my cheesy flattery, shaking her head. When I made to bring her in for a hug, Rex put out his hand. “They can look all they want, as long as they keep their distance. That includes you.”
I put my palms up in mock surrender—finally, some good entertainment to keep me busy. “Does she get to speak?”
“Enough.” Caterina wedged herself between Rex and me and offered me her hand. “Good to see you, Santino. I called the hospital this morning. They said your dad had gone home. He gave us quite a scare.”
“I don’t think Rex was that worried.” I shrugged.
Rex leveled me with one of his glares. For whatever reason, he cared if Caterina saw him as the monster he was. We were all monsters here. I was certain she knew that. But he liked to pretend. For her.
“Of course, he was worried.” She pressed her delicate fingers on his chest.
His features softened, and he wrapped a possessive arm around her waist. “The old man wants to step down, but Santino won’t meet him halfway.”
“Are you telling on me now?” I furrowed my brows at him.
“I already knew.” She beamed at me. “What about Donata? She’s smart and beautiful.”
“And would possibly kill me in my sleep. Pass.” I turned my attention to the room below us, still scanning for redheads.
“This is new.” She pointed at the Celtic cross pendant hanging from my neck.
“It’s Irish.”
“I know.” She cocked her eyebrow. “We’re not Irish. Where did you get it?”
“I stole it.” A crime of opportunity, really. The piece of jewelry slid out of Red’s purse when she dropped it. I couldn’t resist taking it.
“Why?” she asked.
“I don’t know. A memento, I suppose.” I yanked at the silver chain and the pendant fell into my palm. I lifted it up and let it spin a few times.
