She may have my protection butnotmy trust.
“I received a cryptic text a minute ago,” I say. “It could be nothing other than someone fucking with me, but if not…Well, it’s worth me taking the time to investigate.”
Arturo nods. “What do you need,capo?”
“The girl.”
“What about her?”
“I’m taking her with me.” I stroke my chin, the day’s growth scraping my fingertips. “I don’t see another option.”
He flicks his gaze to Violetta and then brings it back to me. “You can leave her with me. I’ll make sure she is safer than a cock in a cunt.”
My lips tilt in a half-smile. “If Rafael doesn’t kill Carina Nardone, he’s going to marry her, which makes that young girl sitting over there my future sister-in-law.” My smile fades as I blow out a breath and run my fingers through my hair. “ I can’t allow anything to happen to her and leaving Violetta behind would break my word to Carina.”
“Are the risks manageable?”
“They are if I do reconnaissance first,” I say slowly. There’s actually no need for it. The message sent had more than enough proof that whoever wants to speak to me is either my mother or knows of her. But I’m not going to explain myself to him or anyone else. “This is a time-sensitive matter, so I’m leaving now.”
“I’ll come along as well, plus Enrico and Beni.”
I shake my head. “I need you to oversee Rafael’s freedom from Nardone, whether or not my brother’s fiancée obtains his release. If she does, watch over them. And if not, then we will employ the contingency plan I’ve devised, but wait for my command on the order. I don’t want anyone attacking Nardone prematurely and in doing so, putting my brother’s life in greater danger.”
“For the love of Christ, capo, at least take Beni and Enrico with you.”
Arturo has never hidden his thoughts from me or silenced his opinions, but he’s always done so with the utmost respect, even if it’s not said with the most tact.
“Tell them I’m leaving in less than five minutes.”
He has his phone in hand before I walk away to my private wing of the house.
The charcoal pants and matching dress shirt I’m wearing are more than suitable for any business meeting, but I head to my bedroom anyway to obtain my firearms, holsters, and body armor. I frown at the thought of Violetta’s dress. She won’t be able to successfully hide anything with that on and I don’t have any women’s clothing available for her to change into. There’s nothing to be done except leave her in the vehicle with either of my men.
Once I’m fully armed, I descend the stairs and waiting at the bottom are Benito and Enrico. They’re both ready, their anticipation shown in the way they lean forward on the balls of their feet. I enjoy nothing more than having good men under my leadership.
Nothing brings down an empire faster than a weak army.
They each nod as I pass by and then automatically fall into place, flanking me on either side. Violetta’s gaze follows us as we approach and when she’s within range, I jerk my chin toward the door.
“Come with me.”
She slowly rises from her seated position and I’m not sure if the unhurried, deliberate way she moves is done to irritate me. I wait for her to draw near and then lead the small group from the foyer and down the front steps to the vehicle already idling.
“Shotgun,” Benito says with a wink at Violetta.
She, in turn, narrows her gaze as though he’s an imbecile.
I have to school my features to keep from smirking. Benito is generally an upbeat person, despite his ability to kill people quickly and efficiently, and nothing fazes him. He grins at the young woman and then takes his seat in the front of the SUV while Enrico gets behind the wheel. I climb into the backseat, as does Violetta.
“Where to?” Enrico asks.
I give him the address to the private air strip and he puts the vehicle into motion. Benito, on the other hand, turns to look at me over his shoulder.
“Are we leaving the city?”
“No. This should be nothing more than a simple meeting.”
He nods. “Cool, because I didn’t pack my lingerie.”
