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Ever the opportunist, Cielo jumps on the table beside me to make her presence known.
“And her,” Tácito adds while curling his finger under the cat’s chin.
As I watch him caress the feline, I can’t help the urge to push her out of the way so he can lavish me with the same affection. What the hell am I thinking? This is all so wrong.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Valentino
“You have a full spate of events to attend today. There’s the Douglas Community Garden ground breaking ceremony, the ribbon cutting for the new DeLuca recreation center, lunch with the Women’s League to discuss your agenda…” Trevor’s voice drones on while we walk to my car.
Ethan opens the door and waits for me to enter before sitting beside the driver.
“Ethan, who’s covering the house and Tácito?” I ask, interrupting Trevor.
He flips the car’s visor down to meet my eyes in the mirror. “Team Gamma has Precious under surveillance while Team Beta is on Doc’s heels. You’ll probably get a text from Doc soon, but I thought it prudent to make his security obvious. Make everyone think twice before approaching him.”
I nod in agreement. Tácito will hate the attention, but I can no longer trust my father to keep himself in check. He’s probably at his limit as far as my silent defiance goes. Running for mayor wasn’t the first nor will it be the last issue we disagree about. The small army I’ve amassed and my secret power brokering has shaken his footing in my personal and professional lives.
“And Team Gamma?”
“After Precious’ flashy entrance, I told Gamma to keep a low profile. We have tranqs at the ready in case she bails.”
“Just make sure she isn’t harmed.” I glare at Ethan until he nods.
He’s still butt hurt because a woman ran through his team like a hot knife through butter. Her sharpened skills and experience as an airman haven’t appeased his sore ego.
Despite his resentment, Ethan is loyal. He isn’t a mercenary with a price tag. I’d befriended him in college when he was in the Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Course. After his discharge, I snapped him up. At first, he played a covert role with my security because I didn’t want to tip my father off that I had people outside of the ones he used to keep tabs on me. When I became mayor, Ethan no longer had to hide, but Giulio’s men did. Under Ethan, I’ve had more freedom to put my plans in place.
Before Ethan, every day was a survival test where I denied myself. No more. I’ve amassed enough power to protect the ones I love, and no one will get in my way. Especially not my father, Giulio fucking DeLuca.
“I want you to get eyes and ears on my father.” Anger rises inside me when I remember what he did to Tácito yesterday and the fear that drove Sloane into believing she could run out on us. A fear cultivated from childhood takes more than an Air Force career to overcome, and I will give her the foundation she needs to never seek the nearest escape route ever again.
“You think he had something to do with Precious’ condition?” Ethan’s eyes narrow in the mirror.
“He should know better, but I’m not making assumptions. I want to know who he’s talking to and where he’s been.”
My sources haven’t found much information about the hit on Sloane. Right now, only Sloane can give me more insight into what happened to her that night. As skittish as she is, if I hint at looking into things too early, she’ll run off. But once I tie her to me, running will no longer be an option.
“Trevor, get me a wedding planner,” I snap.
My chief of staff jumps in his seat. “Ah, sure. The events company we use for city events also provides wedding planning services. Do you have a date in mind?”
“Six weeks from today.”
“Six wee—Sir, am I to assume the event is for a close relative?”
“I’m getting married.”
“Con…grat…ulations? Is there any way to extend the timeframe? An event like this requires a lot of logistics. There are political allies and rivals to invite, heads of corporations based here in Douglas, the lobbyists that—”
“Trevor, I’ve picked the date. Make it happen. The only thing that matters is that I marry the bride on that date.”
“Yes, sir. If I may, will the planner be in contact with the bride?”
“That would create some awkwardness considering the bride hasn’t agreed to getting married yet.” I smile as Sloane’s face floats in my mind.
She’ll argue, but when she’s standing in her wedding dress in front of all our guests, her protests will disappear. She hasn’t admitted her feelings for me and Tácito, but her escape attempt shouted more loudly than she could how much she loves us. I’m not going to let her play the martyr now that I can do something about our fucked-up situation.
