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She doesn’t seem like someone blackmailed into a marriage.
“Thanks for the clothes.” That’s the only thing that comes to mind to say.
“Any time.” She winks at me and starts to say something more when the front door opens and an older man in a suit rushes in.
“Maxim? What happened?” Petrov asks.
“Giuseppe Agosti had a heart attack. He died thirty minutes ago.”
“Fuck,” Petrov curses and trusts the pot into the older guy’s hands. “Get Sergei. I want you two in my office in five minutes.”
I focus on the picture hanging on the opposite wall, and try to reign in the need to storm out of the room and look for Angelina. As soon as Roman heard the Cosa Nostra don had died, he ordered Maxim and me into his office to discuss our next steps as far as the Italians are concerned. But, it’s been hard to follow the conversation with Angelina still not at my side.
Sitting in the chair beside me, Maxim says, “Agosti doesn’t have sons. I think Luca Rossi is the most probable successor. If that happens, do you think he will honor the truce we made with the don?”
“I only met him twice. He’s a wild card.” Roman places his hand on the table and starts his agitating habit of drumming his fingers. “Rossi is more into arms dealing than drugs, but thatcould change if he becomes the don. He will have to go with what most of the Chicago Cosa Nostra Family wants.”
“Do you plan on meeting with him?”
“Let’s wait to see what will come out of this shitstorm first. We’ll continue our business as usual, but Maxim, send someone to keep an eye on the Italians,” Roman says and turns to me. “There’s a fundraiser for homeless kids next weekend. I need you to go and leave a big fat check. I don’t want the city authorities looking our way for the next month or so. Can you handle that, or should I send Kostya? Maxim and I are stuck handling transportation until Mikhail is back.”
“Kostya will only end up banging some official’s wife in the restroom. I’ll go.” I nod.
“Good. The event requires a plus one. Angelina will go with you.”
“Roman, I’m not sure that’s wise,” Maxim throws in. “What if someone recognizes her?”
“Last I checked, the cartel members don’t frequent our government’s fundraiser parties,” he says and turns to me. “You’re taking your cartel princess with you. And make sure you behave.” He points his finger at me. “No weapons are allowed there.”
“Sure. Is that all?” I can’t take this anymore. I need to go find Angelina or I’m going to lose my shit in front of my brother. I know that nothing will happen to her while she’s in Roman’s home because this house is better guarded than Fort Knox. The fact that my fear is completely irrational does nothing to lessen the pressure.
“Yes.”
“I’m off then.” It takes tremendous control for me not to run out of the damn office and down the hallway.
I find Angelina in the lounge, laid back in one of the big recliners, while Nina is sitting on the floor in front of her andsketching something on a piece of paper. Nina is jumpy around me, so instead of going in, I stay in the doorway and watch Angelina play with a strand of hair, wrapping it around her finger. I remember it was once long. She looks up, and when she notices me, a strange look crosses her face, but then it’s gone the next instant.
“Ready to go back?” I ask.
“Sure.” She stands up and turns to Nina. “Can I see?”
“Of course not. It’s just a sketch. You’ll get the finished thing when I’m done.” Nina hides the paper behind her back and looks over at me. “Is Roman in the office?”
“Yes. And he’s exceptionally cranky.” I reach out, take Angelina’s hand, and the pressure in my chest subsides.
* * *
“What did Roman want to talk about?” I ask the moment I park the bike in front of my house.
“He wanted me to come clean with what I’m doing here.” She sighs. “It didn’t seem like a wise thing to keep lying, so I spilled the beans. Told him that I ran away from Diego Rivera. And Petrov promised he won’t send me back to him.”
“What does Diego have to do with anything?”
“Other than killing my father? Well, he locked me up in my room and started preparing for our wedding.”
I feel my body go stone-still. “Diego killed your dad?”
“Killed him, took over his business, and decided to marry me by force. Yes.”
