"I need help with some research," I tell him, deliberately skirting past this conversation about Elena.
He nods toward the tech room—what's essentially become his personal office since he's our resident hacker. He enters his pin code, and we step inside, the door automatically locking behind us. We don't need anyone snooping around sensitive information.
"Alright, Marco. What's up?" Rafa asks, settling into his chair and pulling up multiple screens.
"I need you to find some videos for me." Rafa smirks again like he knows something I don't, which is irritating.
"And what kind of videos am I looking for?" he asks while typing, not even bothering to look at me.
"Elena met with a man at The Dirty Dozen last night. It's a bar in the South Bronx. I need his name and anything you can tell me about him. From the look on his face when I walked up to their table, he knew me, but I didn't recognize him." I pause before asking my next question. "Then, when you're done with that, I want to know how Elena escaped her detail yesterday."
Rafa laughs at my second request. "Giving you a run for your money already, huh?" He leans back in his chair and raises an eyebrow.
"Just do it. And have the report ready when you come to brunch today," I tell him before heading for the door.
The chatter in the kitchen has died down when I step out—good, I'm sure they all have actual work they could be doing. I head back to the elevator, scan my keycard, and press the button.
When the doors open, I walk straight to Vito's office and knock. I don't hear him respond immediately—all I hear is some scuffling sounds from inside. I knock again, and this time Vito tells me to come in.
I stop just inside the door when I see who he's with. He's standing in front of his desk, speaking quietly to Rina. She looks flushed and is smoothing down her skirt, while Vito kisses her and whispers something in her ear that makes her breathing quicken. She nods at whatever he's said.
Rina walks toward the door, smiling at me sheepishly as she passes. "Rina," I say with a knowing smirk.
"Marco," she responds in the same tone. She closes the door behind her, and I walk over to sit in one of the chairs facing Vito's desk.
He circles around to his chair, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. I raise an eyebrow at him.
"What? I was starving," he says with a devious smile.
"I'm sure the chef left you something more nutritious for breakfast," I point out with my own smirk. He doesn't respond, knowing he's been caught but clearly not caring in the slightest.
"How are things with Elena? Any news yet?" he asks, shifting into business mode.
"She met with someone last night after she escaped her detail. I found her and brought her back here. I have Rafa looking into the man she was with—I don't recognize him, but he definitely knew me." I answer a few more of Vito's questions, but I don't have anything substantial to report yet.
We both stand and walk out of the office. "I'll meet you in the kitchen in a little bit," Vito says, heading toward the stairs that lead to the top level. "I have a snack to finish."
I chuckle to myself as he disappears upstairs. He's completely whipped, but so is Rina. They make each other lighter and happier, and I'm genuinely glad for my friend's happiness.
I walk down the hall and turn right into the grand salon. A few people have already arrived for today’s family brunch, and I can smell the feast being prepared in the kitchen. Ben must be outdoing himself today.
I greet Gianna, Vito's sister, and Enzo, one of our capos. Dante and Sofia enter next, followed by Elena, and my breathing immediately increases at the sight of her. She must have changed since I left her on the security feeds.
She looks stunning in a plum-colored pantsuit with a black corset top that showcases her curves perfectly. Her dark hair cascades down her back, and she's wearing black sneakers that somehow make the entire outfit look effortlessly elegant. Classic Elena—refusing to conform to anyone's expectations while still looking absolutely beautiful.
Too bad she's still a pain in the ass.
She greets everyone in the room before her eyes find mine. It's easy enough since I was already staring at her like an idiot.
What is wrong with me?
I tell myself I can't stop thinking about her because she's being secretive and it's my job to figure out what she's hiding. But the truth is more complicated than that. She's sassy and beautiful, and I got hard as hell when she teased me last night. I need to stop this train of thought before it goes any further.
I turn to look out the floor-to-ceiling windows that line this side of the penthouse, trying to clear my mind and focus on literally anything else.
Rafa appears at my elbow. "Marco," he says quietly. "A word?"
He gestures toward the hallway with a subtle tilt of his head. Away from the main room. Away from Elena's sharp eyes and sharper ears.
