But right now, I keep him close as we make our way back to the house, up the back staircase and into the security room. A handful of guards are in there, looking up in surprise as we burst in.
"Give us the room," I say, and they get out immediately.
As the door closes behind them, Darian looks at me with an impressed expression.
"Strange to see your bullying get put to good use," he comments, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Huh? I'm not a bully." I take a closer look at him. "Wait—you think I'm a bully?"
Darian's teeth worry at his bottom lip. "Oh," he says vaguely, "just sometimes, when you were teasing me, it felt…" He shrugs. "Perhaps I was a little oversensitive."
A twinge of guilt twists my heart. I never knew Darian saw my teasing as bullying. I never meant it maliciously, but the thought that he might have interpreted it that way…
I just wanted an excuse to get some attention from him. To see that shy little smile he gets when I fluster him.
"I'm sorry," I say awkwardly. "I never knew it came across that way."
Darian huffs out a breath, shoulders relaxing. "Don't worry about it. We should have a look at the cameras, as you suggested. I'm sure Mr. Andretti doesn't mean any harm, but…" He trails off, gaze fixed on the bank of security monitors, like he doesn't want to look atmeright now.
"Right." I turn to the monitors, grateful for the distraction. "Where should we look first?"
Darian comes to stand beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth of his body. But nowI'mthe one who's tensing up, not wanting him to feel threatened by me in any way. "There are so many," he says. "Where do we even start?"
But we don't have to look for long. I point out one location right away. "There he is," I say with satisfaction. "Poolside. With Foxy Roxy."
Nero Andretti has oiled up his tatted, well-built body, and is showing it off in a tiny fucking swimsuit that barely covers his junk. And Roxy Rochford, sitting on the lounger next to him under a huge pool umbrella, is doing everything she can to get his attention. I can tell even from the muted camera, the way she's rubbing lotion into her legs slowly, carefully.
Nero doesn't even seem to know she's there. He could be asleep behind those dark shades.
Darian gives a faint smile. "Well. That seems to be under control."
"We should use what we have here," I say, pointing to the cameras. "Listen in on a few conversations. Maybe come up with some motives. There are cameras covering the entire grounds of Redwood Manor, but not inside the house itself."
"Good to know," he murmurs ironically, still eyeing the monitors.
My hand brushes his as I reach for the controls. I suck at the inside of my cheek, tamping down on the urge to grab his hand again, and focus on the footage flickering across the multiple screens. "Uh. I guess you're not supposed to be involved in Family matters. Maybe?—"
"Mr. Castellani gave his blessing," he points out, "but I can wait outside with the guards, if you like."
"Nah." I want him in here, with me. "I guess you're right about Julian." I begin combing through the various camera feeds, listening in on private conversations among the different pockets of Bernardi groups around the grounds of the estate.
I tune into the patio and turn on the audio, where a couple of AJ's goons are talking over cigars and coffee.
"…fucking asshole Clemenza," one is snarling.
"He had it coming," the other grunts. "AJ wasn't gonna stand for it, anyway."
From what I can piece together from their conversation, during the discussions Clemenza had kept proposing closer ties forbothBernardi factions with a re-formed New York parent Family to keep the rivals balanced.
I can see now why Sandro had said the Morellis would have a problem with it. It would mean a revival of the Clemenzas, after the Morellis had gone to great lengths to stamp them out.
And as I flick from conversation to conversation on the monitors among the men who come out to the patio to have breakfast, I discover that neither Bernardi faction seemed keen on Clemenza's idea.
Monkeys Scignatti points out to another one of Gino's guys that it was a long-term strategy to strengthen New York instead of LA. There would be limited benefits to the Bernardis, who would be expected to take orders from the East Coast.
AJ and Gino had both played along, agreeing to consider Clemenza's suggestion, but according to what I'm overhearing, they were both livid about it. It would only dilute their power.
"Who d'y'think whacked the old bastard?" one of AJ's men asks as he crunches through his cornflakes.
