"Alright, everyone," I sigh, running a hand through my hair in exasperation. "All available hands search the house, and the grounds too, but make sure we still have eyes on that assholeRusso, and the guards around the two factions. If you hear or see anything, report it immediately."
As they disperse, I lean against the wall, closing my eyes for a brief moment. All I can hear is Sandro Castellani's voice, from after Clemenza got knifed.
What happened reflects on me. My reputation, the Family's reputation, will suffer—and it happened under your watch, DeLuca.
God fuckingdammit.
"Raf?" It's Oz, leaning against the wall with me, looking concerned. "That redhead is likely to wake the whole house if you don't?—"
"Yeah, on my way," I say, pushing off the wall and heading out. I pause in the doorway. "Oz?"
"Yeah?"
"Keep an eye on Darian for me, would you?"
"Sure thing," he says. "I'll check in on him while I search for Chops down that way. Don't you worry about a thing."
I give him a nod. "Thanks."
As long as I know Darian is safe, I can concentrate on everything else.
Roxy and Gino are furious, and me telling them there's been no sighting of their damn-hard-to-miss guy does not make them any happier.
"Where the hellishe?" Roxy demands, eyes blazing with anger. Gino stands behind her, looking tired but wary, letting her do the talking for him.
"Believe me, Ms. Rochford, I'm doing everything I can to find him," I say. "But right now we have nothing, so if you could go over with me how you?—"
"Nothing?" she shrieks. "You're telling me my bodyguard just vanished into thin air?"
"Of course not," I snap back, anger flaring. "But?—"
"It's AJ," Roxy spits, whirling to Gino. "Youknowit's AJ, honey. Or that asshole Donnie Russo. They've been itching for revenge. I bet one of them killed that poor Mr. Clemenza, too."
"Hey, hey, Rox, uh—don't go pointing fingers without proof," Gino says uncomfortably, gesturing for her to lower her voice. "We don't know who's involved yet, so let's not start a war here, eh?"
"Fine," Roxy grumbles, crossing her arms. "But you better find something soon, DeLuca. Or else we'll handle itourway."
Our way? I almost ask her who madeherhead of the Bernardi Family, but I don't need to make any more enemies tonight. I glance around the living area, taking note of the various players: Roxy, Gino, a handful of their loyalists. They're in the west wing, where Sandro usually stays when he's here, and after a few questions, I find out Gino and Roxy were in one of the main bedrooms, with Chops was staying in a room off of that, so he'd be at Roxy's beck and call.
She doesn't put it that way, but she suremeansit that way.
"And when did you notice he was gone?"
"The last time I saw him was when he brought up my dinner tray," Roxy says. "Later I knocked on his door because I wanted him to accompany me downstairs—I wanted to take a walk in the gardens before bed—but he wasn't there. That was about ten. And now it's after midnight, and none of your peons have seen him, sowhere is he?"
I'm on my way back to the security room, ready to call Sandro and have my spine ripped out of my back—metaphorically, I hope—when the soft chime of my phone cuts through my thoughts. I glance at the screen, and feel my shoulders relax a little.
I answer on the second ring, unable to keep the relief from my voice. "You're still up."
"Of course. Mr. Santarelli is standing just outside the suite door, but he won't tell me what's going on." He sounds worried, and guilt stabs at me.
"I'm sorry," I say quietly. "Things are…complicated."
"Is everything alright? You sound tense."
Hearing the concern in his voice makes the guilt twist deeper. I should be able to protect him from all of this. He shouldn't have to worry or be afraid in his own home. I'm failing at the job that matters most.
"Raffi?" His voice is soft, gentle. Like a caress.
