Chang Han is part of the Chinese syndicate. I’d place him in the same category as Giacomo—except at least Chang has some level of integrity.
“He knows that area is ours, right?” I ask, scanning the people drifting through the café. Through the window, gray clouds gather—a storm creeping in.
“He should know, but my guess is he doesn’t give a shit.” Valerio finishes his hot chocolate. “He was in and out in minutes. I’ll have one of the guys dig deeper.”
My jaw tightens. “And Giacomo?”
Valerio’s lip curls. “From what we know, he hasn’t made any big moves since the shipment of girls was discovered. But we’re watching. The rumor is Chang and Giacomo are working on something, and it’s big.”
The look on his face tells me everything I need to know.
The two devils are teaming up.
If Giacomo is aligning with Chang Han, we won’t just have a territorial pissing match; we’ll have a full-scale war. And we don’t have the muscle for a war right now.
“We can’t afford a war. We’re only now getting back on our feet.” I sigh. “My father ruled with an iron fist and went from war to war trying to keep his head above water. I want to be different.”
Valerio hums in agreement. “And you will be, boss. You just need to keep your head and not get distracted by what may come. For now, we put out one fire at a time. Giacomo isn’t a direct threat yet, but we need to watch what he does next.”
I nod.
I lean into the leather booth and tip my head back.
“I saw you leave with someone after the club last week,” Valerio teases. “Finally gotten over your little obsession?”
I don’t look his way. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Come now, boss. You know I’m never one to judge your choices in life. I’m just glad you finally decided to move past this other girl.”
I don’t answer. I know where his concern comes from.
My father wasone of those men who let a woman nearly cripple him. Valerio doesn’t want me walking the same path.
“I still don’t get it,” Valerio says, tossing his hands up. “You and Marcello were world-class womanizers, and now you’re both whipped in record time. It’s embarrassing.” He shakes his head like we’ve betrayed him personally. “When the hell did the tables turn? Not that I’m looking for a woman. I’m perfectly happy enjoying my freedom.”
“You just haven’t met the woman you’d actually soften for.”
Not that I plan on softening for the rooftop woman. I don’t even know her. And I’m not some lovesick fool who loses his grip over a pretty face.
Valerio snorts. “Soften? In our world, that’ll get you killed. My grandfather used to say the deadliest poison a man can drink is a woman’s love.”
“Your grandfather was a cynic.”
“But he never told a lie.” Valerio lifts his mug to me like a toast. “I live by those words to this day.”
I drag a hand down my face and reach for the menu. Anything to distract myself while the rain pounds against the windows like it’s coming for us.
Valerio goes still.
“Holy… shit.” His voice drops to a stunned whisper. “Matteo.”
I don’t look.
This man reactslike this every time a woman breathes near him.
“No,” I mutter. “I’m not being your wingman again. Last time you had me sprinting across a bar like your personal chauffeur.”
A napkin smacks the side of my head. I snap my glare at him.
