"Traffic," I lie, taking the seat across from Matteo.
"Bullshit," Enzo grunts. "You were avoiding this conversation."
He's not wrong.
Matteo pours me two fingers of bourbon, slides it across the table. I leave it untouched. He notices—he always notices—but never comments.
"So," Matteo says, leaning back. "Adrian Morelli."
"What about him?"
"Word is he offered you his girlfriend to settle his debt." Rafe grins, all teeth. "That true?"
"It's true."
"Jesus." Luca shakes his head. "I knew the guy was a coward, but that's a new low even for him."
"He was always a weasel," Rafe adds. "Remember when he tried to skim from that construction deal? Thought we wouldn't notice. Took Enzo like ten minutes to make him cry."
"Five," Enzo corrects. "And he pissed himself. It stank."
Matteo's expression doesn't change, but I catch the flicker of disgust. "He worked with us for six years. I gave him a second chance because he was useful with numbers. But selling out his woman?" He takes a slow sip of bourbon. "That's not business. That's disgusting."
"We should've cut him out years ago," Enzo says.
I don't disagree, but I also don't say it. Adrian's weakness is precisely what I'm leveraging now.
"Where's the girl?" Matteo asks.
"At my house."
All three of them look at me.
"Your house," Rafe repeats slowly, his grin widening. "As in, you actually bought her and she's moved in? Already?"
"It's purely strategic. I need her where I can keep an eye on her."
"Sure." Rafe winks. "That's why. Nothing to do with the fact that you haven't brought a woman home since—when? Ever?"
"It's not like that." I murmur.
"What's she like?" Matteo asks, cutting through Rafe's bullshit with his usual directness.
I consider my answer. "Smart. Stubborn. Has a sharp mouth she doesn't know when to shut."
"So, a type that gets on your nerves," Enzo deadpans.
“Your type.” Luca adds and I glare at him.
Rafe laughs outright. "Oh man, he's already gone. Look at him. That's the face of a man who's thinking about more than pure strategy."
"I'm thinking about how to make this work without Pa or the Bellandis blowing it up in my face." I finally take the bourbon, don't drink it, just hold it. The smell alone makes my throat tighten. "I told my father I have a girlfriend. Someone serious. I'll be presenting her at his birthday."
Matteo's eyes narrow. "How serious?"
"Serious enough to get him off my back about Caterina fucking Bellandi."
"That's a dangerous game." This from Enzo, who straightens from his casual lean. "The Bellandis don't take rejection well,fratello. Massimo's been planning this alliance for months."
