As Raffi explains what happened last night, I find it hard not to listen, so when Julian returns with a tray laden with teapot, cups, and crumpets, it's a welcome distraction.
"Please allow me, Mr. Castellani," I say, standing at once.
"Absolutely not. You're my guest!" And as Julian pours out the tea, Raffi and Leo continue discussing the implications of Chops Lollo's disappearance. "Rewind a little, Raffaello. Someone is missing?"
"Chops Lollo," Raffi says, and adds a little too casually, "You seen him?"
"I haven't, but how fascinating!" Julian gives a beatific smile. "Another mystery to solve. I do love a good puzzle."
As Raffi repeats the details, I shift in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position. Last night has left me throbbing, but I'm also aching to be filled again. I squeeze my eyes shut, flashes of memory assaulting me. Raffi's hands on my ass, his cock working into me?—
"Darian?" Julian's amused voice cuts through my memories. "You look rather flushed. I trust Raffi took good care of you last night?"
Does he mean—? But how does he know?
Well, of course he knows. Nothing escapes Julian's notice, and certainly not me squirming around on my seat like I am.
Raffi clears his throat. "Anyway, we came here with a few questions, Mr. Castellani, if you could help us out." He gives Julian alook.
Julian smirks over the rim of his teacup. "Oh, of course, Raffaello. I'd be delighted to help." Julian moves closer beside Leo, their knees touching. "Bit o'crumpet?" Julian asks in a terrible cockney accent, offering Leo the plate.
"Sure," Leo replies, his voice tender. This is a side of him that is reserved only for Julian, and I feel like an intruder witnessing their intimate exchange. My thoughts veer to the night before, when Raffi made me feel both vulnerable and cherished.
"Is everything alright, Darian?" Julian asks with a playful smile.
"Y-yes, I'm fine," I stammer, pulling myself back into reality. I gulp my tea, the hot liquid scalding my throat. Anything to avoid meeting Julian's gaze. His humor cuts deeper than any knife—and he's too adept with both.
"Anyway," Raffi says, redirecting the conversation, "one of my men said he saw you in the grounds, Mr. Castellani. Around eleven."
"Mm. I was taking a stroll, Raffaello. Merely taking a stroll."
I can't read the look Leo shoots him. Is it a warning?
"Can I ask where you were strolling?"
"DeLuca," Leo breaks in, "what are you doing? Sandro set me and Jack to figure this shit out."
Oh, dear. So Leo doesn't know that Julian has given Raffi his own instructions.
"The Boss set you and Jack to find out who killed Clemenza," Raffi says stubbornly. "Chops Lollo ismyproblem."
Julian leans forward with interest. "Do you thinkImurdered Chops?" he asks. "I do hope so. I'm collecting murder accusations, you see. I'm quite the connoisseur these days."
Raffi doesn't take the bait. "We don't know that he's dead, and I think it'd be a strange kill to make, since you want Gino and Roxy to get their share of pie. Knocking off Roxy's bodyguard only seems to weaken them from where I'm sitting. But since we're being so open," he says, turning to Leo, "Mr. B, can I ask why you haven't taken out AJ yet? Last I heard, you'd sworn to kill him."
I wince at the candid question. No one else does.
"You're goddamn right I have," Leo says softly, and my heart almost stops in my chest at his expression. "I plan to kill my brother for what he did to Julian, after I make him regret it awhole hell of a lot. And as payback for my father, too, though that man barely deserves my consideration."
"And," Julian says, his voice icy, "you'll have to beat me to it, my lovely Lion, sinceIplan to kill AJ for what he did toyou." But the vicious smile they exchange makes it clear there's no real competition here.
They plan to do it together.
"Listen, DeLuca, I don't give a fuck if you know," Leo says heavily. "It's common knowledge in the Family, and hell, it should be. Sandro and I made a deal before I made my oaths to him. When the time's right, I'll make sure AJ keeps his appointment in hell. But nowisn'tthe right time. Sandro asked me to hold off until he can shore up Gino a little more. He needs to be a more viable option for the rest of the Bernardis if we want to avoid more problems, and no point taking out AJ if someone worse'll spring up in his place. ."
"We definitely want to avoid more problems," Raffi says grimly.
"So during this parley," Leo continues, "I promised I wouldn't do it. And I won't. It'd be dishonorable."
