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“The Russos are moving something out of their warehouse right now. It might not be anything important, but it can’t hurt to find out what it is.”
I nod, “Alright. Let’s go.”
The two of them nod and, after telling the girls goodbye, we leave.
* * *
Our leadwith the Russos ended up being a dead end. By the time we arrived at the hideout, it was all cleared out. There were no clues to be found with regard to what they’re planning. There’s something going on with them, but short of planting someone to infiltrate them, we have no way of finding out what.
Salvador advised me to stop being paranoid about the Russos and focus on my efforts with my men. It was solid advice and I’ve done exactly that, placing all my efforts into making sure this party goes well.
There’s soft music playing from the band we hired, and the atmosphere is pretty chill. There are about seventy people here, mostly capos with their spouses, laughing, talking, and stuffing their faces with food. The party is outdoors behind our house.
I’m glad my mother and Kiara were able to pull this off. They accomplished all this in three days.
The smile on my face is practically frozen as the capos approach me one by one. Some of them offer congratulations, some offer condolences. I study them, trying to read between the lines, find out who might be harboring any nefarious intentions. This party is as much an effort to make them more comfortable with me as it is to gather information about the men who are supposed to protect me with their lives.
“Thank you for coming, Nolan,” my mother says to the balding man in front of us. She has stuck to my side all evening. I’m sure she’s trying to keep me in line, make sure I don’t say anything untoward to our precious guests, but I’ve been nothing short of perfect. Perfectly charming and intent on making sure this goes well.
I study Nolan Pike for a few seconds. He’s worked for our family for over a decade, and he has two sons—or had. One of them made the mistake of joining Vincent and he paid for it with his life. I can’t help but wonder if Nolan wants revenge. The man’s face is smooth and devoid of any emotion.
I stretch my hand for a shake. “Yes, thank you for coming, Nolan. My dad considered you an asset to our family and I do, too.”
He shakes my hand and offers me a short nod.
“I don’t see Noah around,” I state, looking around pointedly for his only living son.
Nolan shrugs. “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.”
My mom asks him some more mundane questions about his health before moving us along to the next couple. The Carlsons have always been fiercely loyal to our family. I’m less tense as we speak to them.
“Roman, shouldn’t you be planning on getting married soon? Your mother can’t host events on your arm forever,” Emily teases.
She’s a bubbly young woman in her late twenties. I swear there’s always a wide smile on her face any time I see her. Not that I can blame her for it. If I married an old man close to his deathbed and my kids were in line to inherit his fortune, I’d smile all the time, too.
Still, I’m not in any way pleased by her question. My mom replies for me.
“It’s a work in progress, Emily,” she says gently.
Sensing my mood, she quickly steers me away quickly from the Carlsons.
“What the fuck is their problem? If they’re not trying to curry favor or ask for something, they’re butting into my private life,” I say angrily. My hand goes to the tie on my neck. I hate wearing ties; they’re so fucking constricting.
“This is nothing short of what’s required of you,mia cara,” my mom says firmly. “You know this. It’s your duty. Now, I think it’s time for your speech.”
I stare at her. “I have to make a speech?”
Her cool gaze flicks over my face. “Of course you have to make a speech. You need to let these people know what you plan to do for them, how you plan to lead them. You need to show them your strength.”
I open my mouth to tell her that a speech feels unnecessary when we hear a scream from inside the house. My head snaps up as I look toward the double doors leading inside. The music stops and everyone falls silent.
My heart starts thudding in my chest. Because I’m pretty sure that was my sister.
CHAPTER9
Elena
I’m in the process of having a conversation with Ivan De Luca when we hear the scream. He looks at me for a second, dark brows furrowed in confusion, before we both turn to the house.
