My stomach somersaults and I battle the uncomfortable feeling as I make my way over to him and take my seat. I’ve followed his instructions, odious though they may be, so what could he possibly want to discuss?
“There are a few things you need to be aware of,” he says. “The criminal organization we are in the midst of is not without substantial power and influence, which does extend beyond this country. Each of its members would not blink an eye over killing you, especially since they may not know your Nardone’s daughter. Even that might not be enough for someone to spare your life. And if they did, you’ll probably wish they hadn’t.”
He plants his elbows on the table and steeples his fingers. “I have no intention of revealing who you are, not just for your safety but my own, as well as Benito’s. I don’t have to remind you of the fact we are outnumbered and my status in the underworld will only protect us against so much, which is why I need you to maintain your silence. Not just here, but after we’re back in the U.S., no matter what you overhear or witness.”
The compliant expression on my face is genuine when I nod my agreement. I don’t want anything to do with these people or their criminal activities and I certainly don’t plan on talking anytime soon.
“Very good.” Tristano takes his cell phone in hand and I assume the discussion is over, until he speaks again. “However, you may speak when we are alone, but only then,ribelle.”
I blink several times. Does he really believe that since I broke my silence once it’ll happen again? And that I’d speak to him, of all people? I may be attracted to Tristano and willing to extend him a limited amount of trust to keep me safe, but that’s nothing compared to offering up my thoughts in verbal communication.
He looks up from the screen of his phone and pierces me with his gaze. The silver within is heated, churning like metal at a high temperature, right before it melts. “I gather from your indignant expression that speaking to me is not on your agenda?” he asks with a deceptively mild tone.
Unsure which type of response will keep me out of trouble, I simply don’t give one and stay completely still.
He tilts his head just so. “Need I remind you what will happen if you refuse to answer me?”
I pause, thinking back to our conversation on the private jet, and in that time Tristano gets to his feet. My eyes widen in panic and I nod vigorously. He folds his arms, somehow enlarging and towering over me with greater dominion but doesn’t take a single step in my direction.
“I can clearly see you remember. Now, answer the question before that, the one concerning you talking to me.”
The moment I shake my head, telling him I don’t wish to speak to him, his mouth thins. I chose to answer honestly with the hope he’d see me as a lost cause. But it appears to have had the opposite effect, if his glower is anything to go by.
Tristano drops his arms to his sides and takes a step toward me, causing my spine to stiffen, and I grip the armrests to keep from bolting. However, a knock at the door stops him and he immediately changes direction. Once he reaches the door, with his fingers already curled around the firearm resting against his lower back, he glances through the peephole and then turns the doorknob.
“Buenos dias, señorita!” Beni says, waltzing past Tristano, who shoots a death glare at his back. “And buenos dias to you too,jefecito. I come bearing gifts.”
I inwardly smile at his usage of the word “boss,” since Tristano is not a “little” anything, let alone a boss. My curiosity gets the best of me and I crane my neck just a bit to get a glimpse of what Beni’s holding. He comes to stand beside me, then drops into the closest vacant seat, and that’s followed by him slamming two thin books onto the table’s surface.
“I challenge you to a duel,” he says. “Again.”
Tristano watches us from across the room, leaning against the wall with his phone dangling between his long fingers. I ignore him and look to Beni, furrowing my brows.
He raises his hand to wag his index finger at me. “Last time we playedTetrisand you cheated. FuckTetrisanyway. This isSudoku, and not only that, but it’s on an ancient medium we old people refer to as ‘paper.’ Teenagers like you probably don’t even know what it is.”
My lips twitch at his antics. Beni is utterly ridiculous and delightfully entertaining.
“Furthermore,” he continues, still waving his hand in my face, “you cannot type any cheat codes in. It’s going to be just you and me, along with pen and paper. Have you ever done one of these before?”
I slide the book in my direction and then open it. The instructions are simple, but I’m not familiar with this type of puzzle, so I shake my head and let the book fall closed.
Beni grins at me and his gaze lights up. “Well, you better prepare yourself for an ass whipping because I’m not fucking around like last time. You’re going down, Violet the vanquished.”
My lips form a smirk and I tilt my head.
Game on, Beni the bitch.
Tristano
Iwant to shoot Benito.
Of course I won’t, but to ensure the urge doesn’t turn into action, I tuck my firearm into its holster. Then I idly rotate the cell phone in my hand and watch the exchange between Benito and Violetta. He’s acting like a jackass, telling her how she’s going to lose, the entire spectacle complete with his typical theatrics.
But it makes her smile.Again.
The way my muscles tense and my gut churns with a near violent heat is unreasonable. Who gives a shit if Violetta smiles at him and no one else?
To divert my attention, I dial Rafael’s number and wait for him to answer. The bastard sends me to voicemail. Clenching my jaw in frustration, I try Arturo’s phone this time. He picks up on the first ring.
