Or hell, maybe Anniehaddecided to get a tattoo during the time we hadn’t been speaking to each other.
Ihadto get another look at that picture. The laptop in my art room—the battery would still be working on that. I could load the USB on that and double-check.
I’d just pulled the USB out of the computer and was making my way to the door with the help of my phone’s flashlight when I heard a loud, echoing bang downstairs, and I froze. The wind howled outside, and for a moment I thought,It’s the wind. Some door slamming because of the windfrom the storm.
But then I heard footsteps in the corridor outside, and I heard a soft voice. A male voice.
I wasn’t alone in the house.
CHAPTER50
JACK
Sandro allowedme to slam into him, absorbing the blow with a gasp, then grabbed my arms as we both rocked with the impact. “Calmati,” he hissed under his breath. “Calmati, Jack. Don’t play his games.”
His fingers clenched hard on me, hard enough that the pain of them cut through my temper. I took a deep, shuddering breath, and looked at Julian over Sandro’s shoulder.
“If you killed her—” I snarled, but Sandro gave me another shove backward.
Julian sighed as though he were disappointed in me. “Oh, come on, Jack. Didn’t your boyfriend point out the difference?”
I had no idea what he meant.
“Who thefuckare you two talking about?” Sandro demanded, shoving me back again, several feet this time.
“And you—” I stabbed a finger at Sandro. “If you’ve been creeping around after Miller—”
The connection between the two of us, dredged up by sheer habit, was immediately broken. He was glaring at me again with murder in his eyes, same as usual.
Julian was still staring at me too, with those pale irises that looked like they’d been bleached too long in the whites of his eyes. “You make it sodifficultto help you,” he said at last. “I’m just about to give up.”
The anger rose up again, but I had a hold of it now. “If I find out you had a hand in her death, Julian, Iwillcome for you. You hear me?”
Julian gave a bored shrug while amazement shot Sandro’s eyebrows up. It was stupid of me to threaten the Don’s son right in his own home, but I was off the leash by then.
“Who are youtalkingabout?” Sandro demanded again, looking between us. Julian and I both stayed quiet. If Sandro didn’t know, it was too complicated to tell him. At last, Sandro shook his head. “Jacopo, get the fuck out of this house.”
“Don’t presume to give orders, Alessandro,” said a mild voice from behind, and I whirled around to see Ciro Castellani entering the grand salon. “Jacopo is here on my orders. A little late in the day, but better late than never. Now, both of you”—he flicked a finger between Sandro and Julian—“get out. I’ll see Jacopo in here. I’m sure he won’t be long.” He turned to me with a bright smile. “We have guests arriving in the next half-hour, Jacopo. You’ll make it quick, won’t you?”
“Very quick, Boss.”
Sandro was the one who hesitated, who caught my eye again as he left the room, gave a slight shake of the head.Don’t do it.
I wondered what he thought my plans were.
I had no plans…yet. I was playing by ear.
“Now,” Castellani said jovially, once his sons had left us alone together. “What can I do for you, Jacopo?”
“I have something for you, Don Castellani.” I reached into my jacket and withdrew the package. “My apologies for the wrapping. I wanted to get it back to you as soon as possible.”
He came forward and took it from me, then unrolled it eagerly. He already knew. He tipped the contents into his hand with a wide smile. “My, my,” he chuckled. “You’ve outdone yourself, Johnny.”
Draped over his hand, the sapphires seemed like huge droplets of deep blue water. He held it up and we both watched blue fire flashing from the stones as they caught the light. “You’re something of a miracle worker,” the Boss said approvingly, going to the side of the room to push a discreet button.
Jeeves appeared almost at once. “Here,” Castellani said, dumping the necklace in his hands unceremoniously. “Have it cleaned and replaced in my study.”
Jeeves gave a nod and disappeared. Castellani turned to me with a broad smile. “Well, well,” he said. “I’d like to hear all about it, of course, but we have limited time. Still, answer me this:wheredid you find it?”
