“Could I?”
“I’m trying to move the family operations legitimate. Having someone who can communicate with international partners, navigate complex negotiations…” I spin her slowly. “You could be essential.”
She looks up at me with an expression I can’t read.
“Do I have something on my face?”
“No?”
“Then why are you staring at me like that?”
“Nothing. It’s just weird that we’re having a normal conversation.”
“Ah.”
She’s right. Every interaction we’ve had has been either hostile or sexual. We argue, we fight, we tear each other’s clothes off.
But this, talking about business—this is new territory.
“You’re right,” I admit. “It is weird.”
For the first time since this whole arrangement began, I’m not thinking about duty or protection or the terms of Dante’s will.
I’m thinking about a partnership. About what we could build together if we stopped fighting long enough to try.
The song ends, but I don’t let her go.
18
KASI
The morningafter Antonio’s birthday party, Maria wakes me with news that makes my pulse quicken.
“Mrs. Moretti, your husband needs your presence in his office. He says to dress professionally.”
I find Alaric behind his desk wearing a charcoal suit that makes his green eyes look darker. He doesn’t look up when I enter.
“We’re going to Philadelphia today,” he says without preamble. “Dress to impress. We have partners to meet.”
“What kind of partners?”
“The kind who don’t appreciate wasted time. Be ready in thirty minutes.”
“Are they scum of the earth like the rest of your associates?”
He finally looks up, and there’s amusement in his expression. “No. These are legitimate businessmen. I told you I’m going legal.”
“How legal can it be if you’re involved?”
“Legal enough. We’re meeting with investors interested in opening a chain of convenience stores across three states. Clean money, clean business.”
I study his face, looking for the lie. “And you?”
“I provide start-up capital and strategic guidance. Nothing more.”
“Using dirty money to build clean businesses.”
“Money has no memory, Kasimira. Once it’s invested in legitimate enterprises, it becomes legitimate too.”
