To avoid it a little longer, I make my way out to Mr. Andretti's guesthouse, trying to keep my voice steady as I knock on the door and call out. "Mr. Andretti?"
"Si?"
I enter and find Andretti lounging on the sofa in the living area, idly flipping through a book. He looks up and grins at me. "What brings you here, my friend?"
"I wondered if you needed anything, sir."
"Only to ask once more what I asked yesterday. What is going on?"
"Chops Lollo has been murdered," I blurt out. I watch his face closely.
"Ah." Andretti raises his eyebrows, closing his book and setting it aside. "That's a shame. He was a good bodyguard. Very obedient."
The nonchalance in his voice is almost offensive. How can he be so indifferent?
"Do you need anything else, sir?" I ask, more coolly this time.
Nero waves a hand. "I want for nothing. I am enjoying my time here so far. Nothing to do but read and lounge by the pool…yes, it's very pleasant. If I need you, Darian, I will call for you."
I try not to run on the way back, but I'm walking a lot faster than I usually do.
As I walk through the foyer, I see Raffi standing near the entrance, talking to some of the house guards at the door, pointing out directions. A wave of relief washes over me, intermingling with fear.
Will he understand? Even forgive me?
Or…will he turn on me?
The thought of losing Raffi—of this life at Redwood Manor, which has become my home—makes me sick. But I can't keep it to myself any longer. More people might die if I do.
And Raffi deserves the truth.
Our eyes meet as I walk forward, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
"All okay?" he asks.
I clear my throat. "Yes, Mr. DeLuca. All is in order. And—you?"
He gives a small nod. "I'm still standing," he says, his voice lower. More intimate, reminding me of all the times that voice has whispered to me in the dark.
"Raffi," I murmur back, "I need to speak with you. Alone."
He glances around, clearly conflicted. "I mean this in a less assholish way than it sounds," he sighs, "but can it wait? The Boss wants Russo and the Bernardis in the grand salon, along with the factions. They're gonna have it out. See who knows what."
Heart in my throat, I nod. "I-it can wait."
"Sure?" He looks at me closely.
"Sure."
"Then I want you back in your room, locked in. I'll send Santarelli with you to stand guard. While this shit is going down, I need to know you're safe. Okay?"
I stare at him for a long moment. Part of me is ready to just blurt it out. Get it over with. But at last, I nod. "Okay."
Raffi squeezes my arm, then nods over my head at Oz. "Go on, now," Raffi says softly. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
There's a calm authority in his voice. It's strangely comforting, even as my anxiety builds. Oz falls into step beside me as I head for my room, saying nothing, leaving me to my thoughts.
Once I reach my room, Oz takes up a position by the door. "You open for me or for Raf," he tells me. "No one else. Get it?"
