He chuckles. “Ah, sometimes I forget just how literal you are. You know what I mean, Rico. Who knows, maybe by the end of this little trip you’ll find new appreciation for him.”
“Highly unlikely.”
With mirth in his eyes he shakes his head with amusement. Who knew I could provide such entertainment? Not when I can’t understand what is funny in the first place.
Identifying emotions has always been a struggle for me. I understand them definition wise. But identifying them in others is complicated. And at times I find it too exhausting and frustrating trying to figure out what someone is feeling and why they’re feeling that way. Unless it’s a job to extract information for Constantine I don’t even bother to try and understand. Andeven then I really only have to identify pain and lies. Those two are the easiest to decipher.
It’s why thinking logically without considering one’s emotions comes natural to me.
“Is that all, Don Constantine?”
He nods his head. “Si. And if you see my wife, tell her to see me in our office.”
“You and I both know Carina doesn’t respond well to orders.” Since becoming one with the darkness in herself and flourishing under the love and care Constantine has showered her with, Carina answers to no one. Not even her husband who is the most feared man on the east coast. Hence his nickname, The Devil of the East Coast.
He flashes a wolfish grin. “I know, but I do love it when she gets fiery with me.”
“You’re the only Made Man who says that.”
“They’re not true Made Men, Rico. Unlike those pussies I never wanted a docile housewife. I always wanted Carina to rule by my side.”
“I must say she’s stepped up to the role of Donna exceptionally.”
Pride fills his eyes. “Si, she really has.”
It was her who had closed the deal with Alvaro for us to distribute Eden to The United States. And I do think if Alvaro wasn’t so charmed by Carina then he would have come after Constantine. Past business relationship or not. In this world you have to be ruthless. It’s the only way to survive.
“Pietro and I will leave this weekend. In the meantime I’m going to strategize.”
“I wouldn’t expect any less of you. Just get the job done so I can make Seamus fucking squeal like a pig. He’s going to curse the day he decided to fuck with me.”
“Si, Don.”
This time I successfully made it out of the office.
While I have an office of my own here I prefer my own home to strategize. There won’t be any interruptions and I can think clearly in the dead silence. Despite how enormous Constantine & Carina’s penthouse is, to me noise travels. And I prefer to not be disturbed in any fashion while working. I’m more efficient when there are no outside variables.
Not by purpose because I didn’t set out to find her but I do just that as I see Carina in the living area. She stands beneath the skylight. A habit she has formed whether she knows it or not. Before I would find her there staring up at the skylight searching for answers. Now, she basks in its light. Either by the rays of the sun or the brilliance of stars.
Her onyx hair cascades down her back. Lips painted in their signature merlot. Her eyes spot me across the room.
Out of respect I bow my head. “Donna Carina. Good morning.”
She smiles. “Rico.” She then arches a brow. “I see you had a meeting with my husband.”
“Yes. Pietro and I will be leaving this weekend to retrieve Seamus’ daughter.”
Her lips twitch. “Retrieve. We just aren’t simply retrieving the girl, are we? We’re kidnapping her.”
“I assumed you were on board with the plan.”
“I am but I have a condition.”
“And that is?”
“I know what it means to be a woman in this world and before Constantine I was subjected day and night to its cruelty. You are not under any circumstances to bring harm to this girl.”
“You think I would hurt her just because?”
