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I breathe a sigh of relief as I hear him leave, my world returning to some semblance of normalcy. I enter the bathroom and prepare to face the day ahead. Last night was an enjoyable diversion, but it’s a one-time thing, I remind myself as I lather myself with soap in the shower.
I can’t afford distractions. The call from Sophie served as a stark reminder that I have no time for anything that doesn’t directly relate to the dangerous world I navigate. Alessandro may be an enticing enigma, but he can’t be part of my reality. It’s a lesson I can’t afford to forget.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Alessandro
I’m on my way back to my house, thoughts consumed by the memory of Rachel’s striking gray eyes and that irresistible curve of her smile. I’ve realized that I know next to nothing about her, but what’s crystal clear is my overwhelming desire to see her again. My mind is a chaotic web of intrigue, and she’s right at the center of it.
As I pull into my driveway, I find Giulio sitting at the kitchen table, sipping on a cup of coffee. He offers me a knowing smile and an espresso, raising an eyebrow as he assesses my appearance. “Dove sei stato, fratello? Why do you look like you haven’t slept?” he inquires.
I accept the coffee with a grateful nod and a small smile. “Mi serve una doccia e un letto in cui dormire,” I reply in our native tongue. I need a shower and some rest. I have no intention of sharing my evening escapades with him.
His knowing grin broadens. “Ah, a woman, eh?” he teases, a glint of mischief in his eyes. I can’t help but smile at the memory of her, her blonde hair, her warm sensuous body and those soft lips, and I choose to maintain my silence.
Shrugging, Giulio sips his coffee. “What’s new here?” I ask, eager to change the subject.
He leans back in his chair, considering my question. “Niente, c’è Pietro in ufficio. Penso che dovreste parlare,” he says. Pietro is in the office and Giulio thinks we should have a meeting.
I groan softly at the thought of dealing with business after the night I’ve had.
“Do you trust him?” Giulio inquires, raising an eyebrow.
I lean back in my chair, mulling over his question. “Papa’trusted him,” I reply. “He’s been with the family for years, and I have to learn how to work with him.”
Giulio nods in understanding. “I’ll keep an eye on him regardless,” he assures me, his loyalty to the family evident. “Anything else I should know, boss?”
“No.Grazie, fratello,” I say, expressing my gratitude. “Tell Pietro I’ll see him in an hour.”
“Sarà fatto, will do,” Giulio replies. He sips his coffee, and I take mine with me as I make my way to the bedroom. There’s much to consider, and I can’t afford any distractions right now.
* * *
Pietro’s disapproving stare lingers as I step into my office. He’s engrossed in a newspaper, sipping his espresso in the corner. I nod in his direction with a simple “Morning” as I head to the chair on the other side of my desk. I take a slow, thoughtful sip of my coffee, letting the warmth of it envelop me.
With a well-practiced move, Pietro sets aside his coffee, signaling in silence that it’s time to discuss business. His voice is gruff and serious as he fills me in on his conversations with contacts in Sicily. They’ve suggested a change in trade routes down to the southern border, assisted by some police connections he’s got in his pocket. “I’ll need to sit down with the other families. With Luca out of the picture, there are vultures eyeing his territory,” he says, his gaze carrying the gravity of the situation.
His words have a hidden message, and it’s clear he’s trying to provoke a reaction from me. I decide not to take the bait. “I’ll oversee the operations until we can make the necessary arrangements,” I reply, keeping my composure.
As we dive into the intricacies of the business, the weight of our responsibilities bears down on us. It’s a complex world we navigate, filled with hidden dangers and shifting alliances. Pietro and I, in our own way, have to keep things in balance.
Pietro nods, clearly pleased with my response. He takes another sip of his coffee, and his demeanor becomes even more serious. “By the way,” I chime in, leaning forward, “have you made any headway with your contacts?”
He sets his coffee cup down, his expression filled with deep thought. “I’ve had a meeting, but I still waiting to see concrete results. As soon as I have the information, I’ll share it with you. We all need to be cautious,” he advises, a shared concern etched across both our faces.
I acknowledge his words with a firm nod. The looming presence of a serial killer, targeting individuals in our world, makes every move we make more significant, and every decision carries weight. It’s a constant reminder that trust and loyalty can be our greatest strength or our gravest weakness.
Until we have solid leads, all our lives are in jeopardy.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Rachel
I find myself seated in Sophie’s cozy kitchen, cradling a steaming cup of coffee as I attempt to wrap my head around the latest twists in the Dante Ricci case. I stir in a spoonful of sugar, savoring the comforting warmth as Sophie launches into a detailed briefing about him.
According to the reports, no one has set eyes on Dante for quite some time. Everyone was waiting for him to show up at the Casino on Wednesday, like me, including some FBI agents. The speculation is that he might have gotten a lead and decided to skip the meeting altogether. The plot thickens, but one name keeps cropping up—Moreno.
I can’t help but furrow my brows as this information settles in. “So, how do we go about tracking down this Moreno character? Do you have any leads on him?” I inquire, eager to gain more insight.
