Pepe shrugs, but his eyes crease in concern. “You know I’m not close enough to know everything. But… Matteo is everywhere, Dom. He used to be in the background, but Joseph is giving him more and more work.”
“Wet work?” I ask, and he scowls.
“What happened to the Fusco girl… it didn’t land well. Most of his senior men had reservations. It’s caused a lot of talk. I don’t think it’s wet work. More that he’s distracting him with other things. He’s put him in charge of the protection scheme.”
My hands stop tapping. “That’s… insane. He’s the last person who should be involved in that. He’s not stable enough.”
The Corvos have a tight grip on the New York area. The community trusts us. They trust us to protect them, and in exchange, we maintain a healthy stream of income. Income thatgets laundered through the university, or through some of our other businesses.
Pepe leans forward. “He’s raised prices twice in the last few weeks. And the punishment for refusal is not one any of us would want to face. He’s using it as an excuse to torture people, Dom, and Joseph islettinghim.”
Shit. “Any mention of Caterina?”
My hackles go up when he hesitates. “Matteo… Matteo is spreading rumors. That she’s weak. That she’s being managed by the other heirs. That the Fuscos are more confident because she is failing, Dom. Cat has allies here, but they’re getting quieter by the day. Nobody wants to draw Matteo’s attention.”
This… this is a fucking takeover attempt. “What’s Joseph saying?”
He sighs. “Matteo has his ear, and he is dripping poison constantly. What happened… it has not helped her, Domenico. Word has not spread, but Joseph’s opinion is the only one that matters. Joseph is concerned that she is not up to the job, and he will not consider her if he feels that the power he has gathered is at risk. He would replace her with Matteo. He has cut her off to force her to step up, or he will make her step down.”
It feels like someone has punched me directly in the solar plexus. “Matteo is not his true heir. He’s not even a close blood relation. What is he, a second cousin?”
And Joseph has always been fanatical about bloodlines.
Pepe looks grim. “There is another rumor. That Joseph may try for a new heir. A male, this time. He wouldn’t care if Matteo was only a temporary fix. He’s still a fit man. Plenty of time before someone else needs to take over. That truly is a rumor, though. Matteo may even be spreading it himself, for all I know. There may be nothing to it, but I figured you should know.”
“Thank you, Pepe. How are things here?”
He shakes his head. “I keep my head down and do my job, Dom. Nobody has looked at us twice. But Bea and I are ready, if the wind changes. You know where our loyalty stands.”
My throat feels tight as I stand, reaching out to grip his hand. “I do. And I am grateful, Pepe.”
More grateful than I can put words to. As I’m pulling on my jacket, a shadow appears in the doorway. Bea is frowning.
“You’re leaving already?”
I glance back at her. “I can’t stay, Bea. I have to make a few stops before I can head back. Things are difficult at the moment.”
She sighs, but she reaches forward to wrap her arms around my waist. She feels tiny in my grip, so different from how it used to be.
“It’s always difficult. When did you get so damn tall?” Her familiar complaint makes me grin, and I squeeze her tighter. “Take care of yourself, you hear?”
“I will.” She stands back. “And I’ll take care of them too.”
I know that. My sister will fight to her last breath for her family.
“Some things go without saying,sorella.”
Chapter twenty-two Caterina
When I scan the brightly lit screen in front of me, my eyebrows lift.
I run the checks again.
And again.
Every time, I get the same result.
It’s not exactly what I need. Not yet, anyway.
