Okay, then. I don’t have any idea what else to do, and I have the strong sense that I’ve done the right thing. I leave Danteto do whatever he thinks is best and head downstairs to make some herbal tea.
Twenty minutes later, Dante calls back. “You need to come to the arena now.” If his tone is any indication, my gut was right. “I’ll meet you at my office.”
I leave my half-finished cup of chamomile and bolt for the door.
* * *
On the way up to Sergio’s office that Dante has commandeered, I run into Violet. She’s holding a prototype in one hand, a flash drive in the other. “Tristan! Is everything okay? I tried to call Minerva with the good news about her device, but her phone is off.”
“I don’t know, but Dante does.”
“Mind if I come with you? Maybe I can help.”
“I don’t care as long as Dante doesn’t.”
We take the elevator up to the executive offices. Neither of us says much. Violet is relatively calm, but I can’t stop shifting from foot to foot. If anything happened to her…
No. I can’t even think about it. I could accept a breakup, even if it left me in pieces. But if she’s hurt, I’ll never forgive myself for being away when she needed me most. Not even for hockey.
Hockey is only my career. Minerva is my future.
Dante’s door is open when we arrive. He waves both of us inside, past the empty desk in the front office, since most of the employees don’t even start work until eight or nine. As soon as the door clicks shut behind us, he starts talking. His voice is steady, but cold. I’m used to the blustering asshole version of my boss, not this stony demeanor. His eyes are like ice chips. Even his posture is different.
“Vito isn’t taking my calls,” he says. “But I have other friends who move in the right circles, and a little bird told me there’s a big wedding planned for today.”
“So?” Is Minerva a guest, or what?
Dante runs one finger over his already flawless tie. “So, the groom is Luca Bianchi.”
“Oh.” My hand flies to my chest. “Holy shit, no.”
“Who’s Luca Bianchi?” Violet asks.
“An asshole,” I growl. “Who can’t take a hint.”
“Minerva’s former fiancé by force. She refused to marry him, and Vito cut her off.” Dante stalks over to his desk. Volet’s eyes bulge, but he doesn’t seem to register her shock. “And wouldn’t you know it, this wedding they’re keeping under wraps? It’s to one of the Marino girls.”
I drop into one of the empty chairs and grip my head in my hands. “No, no, this is my fault. Luca was harassing her the other day, and I egged him on.”
“Did you hold a gun to his head and tell him to abduct Minnie? No? Then stop making this about you, when you were just trying to stake your claim. I’ve called around to get more information, and I want you involved. Of course, if you don’t intend to come with me…”
“I’m coming.” That’s not even a question.
“Guys, this is… this is insane.” Violet finally sets down the prototype on the corner of Dante’s desk. “Are you saying that Minerva was kidnapped and is being forced into an abusive marriage by her parents?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” is all Dante replies.
Violet clearly has more questions, but she’s cut off by the ringing of Dante’s phone. It’s not his cell, but one of the landlines on his desk. There are two, and I wonder if perhaps he’s got different numbers to differentiate between Venombusiness and, uh, his personal life. Dante snaps up the receiver. “This better be good.”
I can hear a voice through the speaker, though I can’t make out words.
“Ah.” Dante sits back. “One moment, Alessandra.” He waves to Violet and me, gesturing for us to remain silent before tapping a button to set the phone to speaker. “Alright. What can I do for you?”
Violet catches my eye and tilts her head to the phone, clearly asking if I know who Alessandra is. I just shake my head.
“Vito doesn’t know I’m calling,” says a woman’s voice. It’s high and thin. She’s clearly terrified. “I tried to talk him out of it, but you know how he is.”
“Stubborn and petty,” Dante supplies.
