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I tell myself I’m relieved that she’s finally leaving me alone, but if that’s true, why the fuck do I keep stealing glances at her every few minutes? Bathed in sunlight, she sits beneath the window with her head bent low, humming that damn song to herself while she carefully sorts through my mother’s most prized possessions. Her honey-blond hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders. She looks just like…
Just like what, asshole?
Just like a ray of fucking sunshine.
ChapterEight
LORENZO
Istalk down the hallway to the study, aggravated for reasons I can’t fully explain. It’s not my usual simmering anger, but a bone-deep irritation that I’m unable to fathom or fix. What the hell is wrong with me lately? Maybe I need to beat someone to death.
Maybe I need to do something else… A shiver runs down my spine and my cock twitches at the memory of her hands on me. Her soft voice in my ear. Her breath on my skin…
“Lorenzo?” I turn in the direction of Max’s voice and find him frowning at me. “You okay, compagno?”
“Yeah, why?”
“You blew right by me, and I had to call your name twice before you answered.”
Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I got a lot on my mind.”
“Well, I hate to add to your load, but Joey just called…”
“What is it now?”
“Cops at the casino. Checking out reports of prostitution and underage drinking and gambling. They’re going through the place right now. Joey’s handling it, but I wanted to let you know that I’m headed down there. Dante’s gone to that meeting for the new shipping contracts.”
“With the Benettis, yeah?” I shake my head. “I’ll come with you.”
“You know we can’t kill no cops today, right?” Smirking at me, he winks.
“Damn fucking shame,” I say, only half joking. “You know they were in the warehouse last night dealing with another anonymous tip?”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“It’s no fucking coincidence the casino gets hit the next day.”
“Nope. But your sister runs the tightest, cleanest operation I’ve ever seen. They won’t find anything.”
“Someoneisfucking with us though.” And I have a feeling I know exactly who it is.
* * *
I spotmy sister as soon as we walk into the lobby of our hotel and casino. She runs this side of the business and does a great job. She’s currently arguing with a cop and, from the look on the guy’s face, I’d say she’s winning. Joey’s one of the toughest and smartest people I know. Max sure has his work cut out for him.
Turning to me, he rolls his eyes. “I’ll go talk my wife down before she gets arrested for punching a cop in the face.”
“Good luck with that, compagno.” Giving his shoulder a squeeze, I scan the lobby for a familiar face.
I spot the man I’m looking for. While Max makes his way over to defuse the bomb that is my sister, I head toward the guy scribbling in his notebook near the main desk.
Leo Romano is a good cop. We have plenty of Chicago’s finest on our payroll, but this man isn’t one of them, which is why I value his opinion more than most. He and I went to high school together, and I once saved his ass after he kissed the star quarterback’s girl at a party. We keep our distance because we live very different lives, but I admire his integrity and he has a grudging respect for my family and the good we’ve done in this city over the years.
“Lorenzo.” Sighing, he shakes his head. “You know I can’t tell you nothin’.”
“I’m not asking for details, Leo.” I lean on the reception desk beside him. “But this is the second raid on my family’s businesses in two days. Now, we both know that’s no coincidence.”
He tilts his head and eyes me with curiosity. “Can’t tell you nothin’.”
