“We’re more alike than you know. My mamma had tried to save me when I was only a little girl. A mamma’s love is a powerful thing. I will grant this request, Imogen. And all men of the Famiglia will honor it.”
“Thank you,” she breathes gratefully.
“So,” Pietro pipes out in a hopeful tone, “we’re all one big happy family?”
Constantine shakes his head but from the look upon his face he’s clearly amused. “Si, Pietro. All is well.”
Pietro blows out a breath and wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead. Collecting the cross from his neck he kisses it repeatedly.
“I must admit,” Constantine says as he draws his wife back in his arms, “I never saw this coming.”
“Neither did I,” I admit. “But I should’ve known the moment her hair captured the moonlight. She had unknowingly left her mark on me.”
“I know the feeling quite well,” he murmurs tenderly as he reminisces of how he knew Carina was the one for him. When he saw her on the streets of New York over ten years ago now. “But do not ever go behind my back again. I will not be merciful next time. Capisce?”
“Capisce.”
“Unfortunately the honeymoon will have to be put on hold. Rico, I need you to strategize immediately. Kirill is unpredictable but he’s not unstoppable.”
“Do we still have the location of Zhen?” I ask. Kirill will easily let loose of the bone and start hunting down for Zhen once he has confirmation she’s alive and well.
“I do.” His eyes flick to Imogen, hesitant on disclosing the information. I cock my head to the side, waiting for an answer. “But I won’t use the information until we absolutely have to.”
“Because of business?”
“Business with him is good, si. We have a great partnership. But I also need to keep this as leverage against him, Rico. It keeps him honest.”
Before I wouldn’t have understood. And while I understand now I have to disagree. “But we wouldn’t have to worry about the Russians.”
“Then we would have to worry about The Triads.”
“They’re not as barbaric.”
“Just because they don’t flare their violence it doesn’t make them any less threatening. We will find another way.” His tone is final.
“Bene,” I concede, still not agreeing with his decision but respecting it.
“On great news, Alvaro has given us one more chance with Bliss. If we are to fuck this up not only is our entire business relationship done, so is our personal. Set a meeting with Marquise tonight. Ask if he’ll handle the operation. Do not fuck this up,” he stresses heavily.
“Understood.”
“Then I suggest you head home and prepare for the meeting. I won’t bore you with small talk here.”
“Will you be attending the meeting tonight?”
“I trust you,” Constantine says. His eyes settle on Imogen and a surge of protectiveness rises within me. “My wife seems very fond of you. Don’t let that change.” The warning lays heavy in the air but Imogen doesn’t choke on it.
“Time for us to go home,” I murmur against her hair.
“Home,” she agrees happily.
CHAPTER 38
Rico
“Congratulations on the marriage,” Marquise celebrates with a shot of whiskey in the air. He knocks it down in one smooth swallow.
“Thank you,” I reply genuinely. “How long has it been for you and Jade?”
