Gio watched me throughout the night, his dark eyes tracking me as I moved between guests. At first, his attention flattered me. Gio Falcone noticing little Aurora Bailey from the South Side. There’s power in being seen by powerful men.
And danger.
He’d even purchased one of my mosaics. For one shining moment, I let myself believe he actually liked my art. That Gio Falcone, with all his money and influence, saw something special in what I created. That sale had earned me a thousand dollars.
Now I’m pretty sure the universe is coming to collect, with interest.
Because later that same night, I overheard an exchange I shouldn’t have. One that connects directly to Benny Parker and his senseless murder.
I was refreshing drinks in the east wing when I passed a study, the door slightly ajar. Voices drifted out, Gio’s smooth baritone and another higher-pitched and nervous one. I slowed my steps, balanced my cocktail tray on one hand, and peered through the crack to see if they needed anything.
Benny’s in Gio’s study, sweating through his cheap suit, hands fidgeting at his sides.
Gio lounges against his desk, his posture relaxed but possessing that menacing stillness predators have just before they strike.
“...took the money, and you’re not getting any more.” The edge in Gio’s low voice prickles my skin. “Now shut your fucking mouth! And don’t get greedy. Greedy gets you dead.”
Confusion washes over me as I hover by the door, frozen and unable to move. Benny, the loser who hangs out at Red Bird’s, the ex-con with the bad tips and worse pickup lines, has no business being in Gio Falcone’s private study. He’s like a cockroach at a royal ball.
“But he said?—”
“He said shit.” Gio’s voice hardens as he cuts off Benny’s whine. “He clammed up. I looked that man in the eye, and he lied to me. Played dumb about it…thought he could play me. Keep quiet about that chaos on the island and keep the diamonds for himself. Idiot. Now he’s out of the picture. And it stays that way.”
Diamonds? An island? The tray in my hand trembles. I hold my breath, terrified they’ll hear me, but the conversation continues.
Minutes pass as I attempt to weave some sense out of what I just heard.
That’s when Gio’s eyes slide to the half-open door and find me, loitering like an idiot with a tray of drinks. For a heartbeat, I consider running. But where? How far would I get?
Instead, I push the door open, pretending I’ve just arrived. “Fresh drinks, Mr. Falcone?”
Benny spins around, face pale with shock and fear. Gio’s expression shifts from murderous to charming, a transformation so complete it would be impressive if I weren’t so frightened.
“Aurora.” My name in his mouth is a violation. “Perfect timing. We could use a refresh.”
I enter, setting down fresh glasses with hands that miraculously don’t shake before collecting the empties. Smile like I haven’t heard a word. But as I pivot to leave, Gio catches my arm, his grip deceptively gentle.
“Stay a moment.” His eyes hold mine, searching. “Did you hear anything interesting while standing by that door?”
“I just got here, sir.” The lie comes out just a little too fast and smooth.
“Hmm.” He trails his fingers up my arm, raising goosebumps. “You know, you’re quite a beautiful woman, Aurora.”
“Thank you, Mr. Falcone.” My voice is distant, like it belongs to someone else.
“Beautiful.” He leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. “And if you open your mouth, you’ll make a beautiful corpse.”
Ice floods my veins. I pull back to find him smiling, but his eyes are cold and calculating.
He releases my arm and steps back. “Let me be clear. What you just heard never happened. You open your mouth, and your sister stops breathing. Understand?”
My blood turns to slush. “My sister?”
“Samantha, right? Pre-med at Northwestern. Scholarship student.” His smile widens. “Shame if something happened to her. An accident.”
How the hell does he know about Samantha? The details of her life? Mafia guys know things, I guess. Or they pay people to know things for them.
Drawing in a slow breath, I force myself to meet his gaze. “I heard nothing, because you were alone in here and I wasn’t working tonight.”
