Dante’s waiting for me on the mezzanine floor. We now have two VIP areas, one downstairs, closer to the action, and another upstairs for a more private affair.
He holds out a glass of whiskey to me as I approach which I accept gratefully.
“You gonna tell me about the girl?” he asks, not even pretending to hide his curiosity.
“Nope,” I reply, taking a sip of my drink as I scan the floor below.
He mutters under his breath but doesn’t push me, instead he talks business. “The Ivanov’s are getting ballsy again.”
They know better than to test us. My sister killed Radomir Ivanov’s son Nikolai, but we have leverage over them that’s been working to keep them from retaliation. “How so?” I murmur.
“They hit one of our restaurants last week. Took down two of our men.”
My head swivels to his. “Why is this the first I’m hearing of it?”
He clucks his tongue. “Perhaps because you gave strict instructions not to bother you for anything.”
Fuck.
“What are we doing about it?”
Dante’s eyes scan the room before he turns back to me. “Boss has us on high alert, and we’re planning to hit one of their territories, to remind them not to fuck with us.”
Normally, I wouldn’t be so out of the loop, but Izzy has been my sole focus. “Alright, let me know when that’s happening.”
Partygoers start filing inside and taking to the dancefloor.
“Speak of the devil,” Dante says, clapping me on the back. I follow his gaze, and sure enough, Papa is heading our way. He sticks out like a sore thumb with his impeccable suit and hard-edged face. Not that I’m any better.
I meet him at the top of the stairs. Neither of us speaks as I lead him to my office.
The door closes behind us, blocking out the sounds of the club, but still, we’re silent as I pour us both a drink, handing him one, then settle in at my desk.
He swirls the amber liquid around his glass, running his thumb over the condensation. “How is Isolde?”
As soon as Doc had her stable, I called Papa. Something I can always count on is his support. I’m needed in England for two months because Carina has been kidnapped?Go. We’ll figure it out.Tess needs me?You'd better get there yesterday.My childhood best friend turns up on my doorstep half dead?Take as much time as you need.
Massimo Russo is ruthless; feared by those that cross him. And yet, while he might have been absent for most of my childhood, and he might have taken me away from my old life, he is a damn good father now.
“Her husband,” I begin, forcing myself to breathe through the rush of anger. “Lucas Dalaney. He hurt her. She’s terrified, but physically she’s healing.”
His shoulders tense. “Hurt how?”
“Raped her. Beat her. Left her for dead. Him and his friends.”
His knuckles turn white on the glass in his hand. “You’ll make them pay?”
If there’s one type of person he hates, it’s someone who would hurt women. If he ever found out what really happened to Tess when Nikolai Ivanov got hold of her… it would be a bloodbath. Doesn’t matter that Nikolai is dead, he’d drag his ghost back here just to beat him to death himself.
“You know I will.”
He nods, pleased. “You love her.” It’s not a question.
“I do.”
“Then you make sure you don’t lose her.”
We chat business for a while; he explains some of what I’ve missed these past few weeks. Mostly boring things, shipments and new business ventures. The Ivanov’s attack is surprising to us both, but my papa already has plans for their downfall. He knows I have the ammunition to do it.
