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Istand before the pretentious home that the Benedetto family calls their mansion. It’s exactly the kind of place I’d expect people like them to live in. Extravagant and over the top, much like the people who inhabit it.
Granted, I didn’t get to know the family members alone last night. However, if first impressions are anything to go on, I’d say I will enjoy destroying each one of those morons.
I smooth down the front of my suit jacket and press the doorbell, tapping my foot on the stone steps as I wait for someone to answer. A maid comes to the door. “You must be Mr. Darcy.”
“Yes.”
She opens the door wider. “Come on in. Mr. Benedetto is waiting for you in his study.”
I step over the threshold into the hall in which everything is adorned in gilt. It’s rather jarring on the eyes.
“May I take your coat?” the maid asks.
I shrug out of it and pass it to her. “Thanks.”
She puts it on a coat rack by the door and then nods. “Follow me.”
I wanted to murder James when I saw him alive. It all makes sense now. He betrayed my father to the Benedetto mob and that’s how he’s still breathing. In an indirect way, he’s a part of the reason why Aiden is buried in the park. We’d assumed James had died in the fire at the warehouse. He had always been like a son to my father. When James was only six years old, his father was murdered in a raid, and that’s when Dad took him under his wing and brought him into our home. Why he took such a shine to him, I’ll never understand.
When I saw him dance with Bella, I wanted to strangle him. And yet, if I recognize him, is it possible he could recognize me?
A chilling thought that could blow apart my plans, but when Cathal almost recognized me, I thought it was all over. And yet the accent threw him off, which hopefully is a good sign.
The maid opens the door to Giovanni’s study and announces my arrival. When I walk in, I tense at the sight of Cathal and James sitting in his study. And Cain is also sitting there, Giovanni’s only son.
I clear my throat. “I was not aware that we would be joined by others this evening.” I give Mr. Benedetto a stern glare.
He stands. “Isiah, I’m glad you are here. Don’t worry, these men are not your competition. Cathal wanted to get to know Nina better, my eldest daughter.” He glances at James. “And this is his man, you see.”
“James,” he says, standing and walking toward me. “It’s good to meet you.” He holds a hand out.
I take it and squeeze firmly, making him wince. “Good to meet you, too.”
There’s no light of recognition in his eyes. I guess fifteen years and working hard on losing my accent has made it difficult for others to recognize me.
“Come and join us for a glass of whiskey and a cigar,” Giovanni says.
“I’ll take the whiskey, but I don’t smoke.”
Cathal arches a brow. “They’re Cuban.”
“Doesn’t change the fact I don’t smoke.”
He laughs. “Fair enough. Suit yourself.”
Giovanni hands me a tumbler with a large amount of scotch in it and then gestures for me to sit.
I sit down next to James, as it’s the only free spot. Even though I want to claw his eyes out instead of sitting here and acting politely toward him.
“So, gentlemen. Tell me how business is going.”
Cathal smiles. “You know how well our business is going, Giovanni. We are, after all, rivals, let’s not pretend that we don’t keep tabs on each other.”
Giovanni raises his glass. “Smart answer.” His attention moves to me. “However, that’s not the case when it comes to Isiah. You are an enigma for want of a better word.”
“Exactly how I like it,” I respond.
“Your control in London, however, is impressive.”
