Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
“How do you know that?” Carmine wonders.
“It’s a hunch,” I say. “But we were talking about that just a few days before Brandon was kidnapped. Then I learn who Marlena really is and suddenly her brother goes missing? It’s too big of a coincidence.”
“You think someone in your organization is working for Andretti?” Luca asks.
“I would bet good money on it,” I reply, thinking about my closed-door meetings with Marcello and Giovanni. They both said that Andretti was trying to poach my men. Hell, I beat one kid up because I suspected he was involved. I can’t be sure who, but that’s the only thing that makes sense. Someone close to me is feeding information to Andretti. And I’ve got to find out who.
“I’m going back to the States tomorrow,” I say. “We’ve been gone long enough.”
“I’m coming with you,” Luca says.
I study him for a moment, wondering if he has a visa. But then, I suppose, it doesn’t matter. We’re not regular Joes. We can get our hands on anything we need.
“Thank you,” I say.
“I can send a few of my men along for the ride,” Carmine offers.
I shake my head. I have plenty of manpower. That’s not the problem. I don’t want to have to babysit a bunch of men who are unfamiliar with American ways. But Carmine puts his foot down.
“Take them,” he says. “They’re all anxious to see what life is like over there anyway.”
“Thank you,” I reply, knowing better than to make a fuss.
If Carmine wants to help me out, I should let him. That’s half of the reason we’re here in the first place. I may not need the added support, but one glance at Carmine’s men and Andretti will know that the Roccas are behind me. It’s more than muscle. It’s a statement that says we’re all family. If Andretti messes with one of us, he messes with us all. And Carmine’s reach isn’t contained to the European continent. He wants to prove that he can be just as dangerous in America as he can be in the old country. So I nod, accepting his gift.
We continue smoking our cigars, moving on to lighter topics until we’re through. Marlena and Daniela come outside to find us, making me feel all warm inside. Though I need privacy to conduct my business, it’s a boost to my pride that she wants to be with me. Maybe there’s a future for us after all.
CHAPTER 33
MARLENA
My head is swimming by the time we step into Luca’s town car for a second time. I just want to go to sleep. I imagine myself crawling under the covers, pulling them up over my head, and passing out for a week. Was it really only this morning that I was a single woman? It feels strange to be sitting beside my husband. My husband. Will I ever get used to that word?
Francisco looks over at me, concerned. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m just tired,” I mumble. The words don’t feel coherent. I drank too much at the party. One extra glass of wine has sent me over the threshold into something that resembles sleepwalking.
Francisco takes my arm and tucks it beneath his. This gives me permission to lay my head down on his shoulder, which I do. He’s so strong and resourceful. I don’t think I’ll ever be afraid when he’s next to me.
Sex is the furthest thing from my mind, but when we pull up to the villa, I realize that it’s my wedding night. I stumble out of the car and into the house while Francisco says goodbye to Luca. He tosses a protective glance at me as I move, but I’m too groggy to acknowledge it.
There are some bodyguards, or whatever the guys hanging around the house are called. I don’t even know what their jobs are. They sit in the living room watching soccer on TV. I weave past them, leaning up against the wall in the foyer to take my shoes off.
Francisco finds me there and helps me to my room. I’m grateful to him, and beyond the point of caring whether we go to bed or not, I could fall asleep right here in the hall.
“Can I help you undress?” he asks.
“Sure,” I murmur, opening the door to our bedroom to let him in.
Technically, this is my bedroom. Or maybe it’s his. I guess I’m actually sleeping in his bed and he’s using a guestroom. Who knows? The schematics are making my head hurt.
I toss the shoes on the floor and tug my earrings off. Francisco comes up behind me to undo my zipper. I give him a watery smile as I work my way out of the dress. It comes off with a swoosh and lands in a pool at my feet. I step out of it and find my way to the bed.