Page 8 of His Sinful Need

Thanks to me.

“Soldano, this is Massimo Pedretti,” Anna-Vittoria says. “He comes to us from the Castellani Family. A guest.”

Bricker’s eyes narrow, raking over me before he bares his teeth in a parody of a smile. He strides forward, hand extended, and I stand to take it. His eyes are cold. “A pleasure.”

I take his hand and find his grip punishing. “Likewise.”

We size each other up and then Bricker releases me.

“Signor Pedretti will be joining your crew during his time with us.”

A silence follows her words, but I can just about hear what’s going through Bricker Soldano’s head. “With all due respect, Maestra,” he says at last, in a strangled sort of voice, “I don’t need reinforcements. My crew is more than capable.”

“Consider Signor Pedretti an insurance policy,” Anna-Vittoria says smoothly. “He’s well-versed in the finer points of your work, Soldano.”

Bricker’s jaw clenches, but he holds his tongue. Smart. He knows not to cross the Maestra.

“Signor Pedretti will accompany your crew as you work operations,” Anna-Vittoria goes on.

“But we’ve been planning for months,” Bricker bursts out. Maybe he’s not so smart after all. “Throwing in some outsider at the last second—”

“Are you questioning my judgment?” Once again, her tone doesn’t change at all, but the temperature in the room seems to drop ten degrees.

“Of course not, Maestra,” he says at last. “I’m just concerned about compromising my crew with a new member at this…late stage.”

“Your concern is noted. It is also irrelevant.”

When Bricker speaks again, his tone is clipped. “Understood, Maestra.”

Anna-Vittoria’s smile is a knife’s edge. “Signor Pedretti, would you give us a moment? I have other matters to discuss with Soldano that are private Family business.”

It takes a second before her instructions compute, and it’s only when the Shadow goes over to open the door for me that I nod. “Of course. Excuse me, I’ll...” I leave the room, head still spinning. There’s a guard out there to make sure I behave myself, but sneaking around the Villa is the last thing on my mind. I try not to sag against the leafy wallpaper and go about processing the cascade of revelations over the past five minutes.

How the hell do the Espositos know about my past? And should I tell Sandro that Anna-Vittoria expects me to rob a bank?

What if itisa setup?

No one robs physical banks these days; they just hack into accounts and drain the numbers out, and that’s a specialty well outside my own. Besides, it’s been decades since I’ve been involved in heist work, and my skills are undoubtedly rusty.

And that surge of attraction for Bricker I felt when I first saw him—every time I look at him—I need to stamp that outdamnquick. He’s the son of my former friend, for God’s sake. It’swrongto feel this way, and yet…

Fabi’s kid.

He looks so much like his father, now that I know. The same unruly hair, same strong jaw, full mouth. But where Fabi was always jovial—right up until the end of our friendship—Bricker seemed annoyed. Even sullen, if anyone is ever reallysullenin front of a Mob Boss.

Doeshe know who I am?

I know Fabi held to the code and kept his mouth shut, because I’m still a free man. So no, he never turned anyone in, but maybe he let something slip to his own son? But—no. Now that I think about it, my name meant nothing to Bricker.

It was the Castellani mention that made him turn on a dime. Espositos like to keep to their own clan.

A rising voice—Bricker’s—from inside the salon jerks me from my brooding. I can’t make out the words, but the tone is clear enough. Quite a surprise to hear some low-level Capo talk like that to the Boss—the Maestra, since she insists on it.

When the door flies open, I school my expression to neutrality. Bricker storms out, nearly bowling me over in the process, and radiating fury, but he jerks to a halt, turning to stand at attention.

“Signor Pedretti.” Anna-Vittoria stands in the doorway, unruffled. “I trust I’ve clarified the chain of command for you?”

“Perfectly.” I fold my hands behind my back, every inch the obedient soldier. “I have no problem taking orders.”

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