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“I didn’t like Peter. Yiannis insisted that his son was a good fighter and loyal, and I believed him. Now, I don’t know. He put you in danger. He nearly got you killed. I’m wondering if maybe he really is as bad as I always thought.”
“You’re wrong about him. Peter never wanted to get me in trouble. He tried his best to keep me out of danger.”
“And yet he failed miserably.”
“I don’t care about any of that. You weren’t there.” Heat colors my face. “I want you to protect him, Luca. I know you can.”
He laughs with genuine surprise. “Why the hell would I do that?”
“Because I care about him and he’s in trouble.”
“Peter’s fine. He’s got Balaska and Le Milieu on his side.”
“Luca—”
“Listen to me, Adrienne. I like you. You’re Kacia’s closest friend, and I love Kacia more than anything in the world. I’d give my life for her. But I won’t jeopardize my business just because you had an affair with a piece-of-shit traitor.”
“Peter’s not a piece of shit,” I say quietly although he’s definitely a traitor. “His father deserved what he got.”
“Maybe Yiannis did,” he says, softening a bit. “But that doesn’t change the fact that if I step in and get involved, it’ll make my life much harder and might put Kacia in danger while we’re out there. I won’t do it.”
I let that sink in. I didn’t really think Luca would do anything for Peter, but some stupid part of me hoped he might anyway. I feel myself deflating, bit by bit, and all the lessons I learned in Greece, all the hard fights I had with Peter, all the pleasure I felt and the joy I thought I might have, it’s all fading away with every passing day I spend out here away from him.
I say, feeling pathetic, “What can I do for him? You have to know something. Please, Luca. You and Kacia are leaving tomorrow and I’m desperate for some scrap of good news or at least a plan.”
He taps his fingers on the desk. Silence spreads for a long moment. Luca’s a hard man, but Kacia says he’s fair, and he did save my life once. He’s the one that got me and Kacia out of that Russian’s basement.
Maybe he can do it again.
“I can tell you this. The deal he’s setting up between Balaska and Le Milieu is coming along. The Filos are trying to stop it, but they haven’t been successful. Peter and Le Milieu are close to sealing things, but Balaska needs to bribe a few more government officials first, and he’s got to convince a few more crime lords to back him. There’s a lot of talk about who’s going to what side and it’s all up in the air right now.”
“But he’s safe?” A little flutter of something in my chest. It’s a quiet sort of yearning.
“No, Peter’s not safe. Filo wants him dead. His uncle wants him dead. He’s got powerful enemies, Adrienne. But for now, he’s still alive and he’s still working. That’s about all I know.”
“Do me a favor. Please, don’t look at me like that. Don’t do business with Rastus Filo.”
“Adrienne—”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but it’s in your own self-interest to avoid a man like that. Believe me, Luca, you can’t trust anything that Rastus says, not a single word.”
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “I’m staying away from Greek politics right now. We’re dealing with the Galatas family for the most part, but not because you’re asking—it just happens they have the best prices.” He smiles slightly, crooked and endearing. “If I can do something for Peter while we’re over there, I’ll do it. I won’t take any risks though.”
“That’s all I can ask.”
“Move on, Adrienne. I don’t know what happened between you two, but he’s not coming back to the States anytime soon, not with his uncle out there thirsty for blood, and you’re not going back to Greece. I’m sorry if that’s harsh, but it’s the truth. You need to move on.”
“You’re right. I do need to move on. It’s just, I want to make sure he’s okay first.” I get to my feet. “Thanks for listening to me.”
“Of course. I really do like you, Adrienne, even if your taste in men is—” He hesitates, making a face. “Questionable.”
“Thanks, I guess.” I turn and walk to the door, but pause before I leave. “And one more thing. My sister—”
“Reina.” He smiles softly at me. “What a strange little family you’re from. But she’s okay too. Harder to track though. She’s a clever one. If anyone’s going to survive all this, it’s that girl.”
“Thank you, Luca.” I start to make a joke about Reina’s Frenchness—but it won’t work without Peter. I let it drop and leave instead.
I stand in the darkness of the hallway. I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes, trying to will myself to calm down, but I’ve been on edge since the day I left Greece. Getting on that plane was a mistake, but I promised him I’d go and I couldn’t back out.
