Faro arrives with a sullen-looking Renato. “Why do I get stuck babysitting when there’s a nest of Bratva bastards to exterminate? I wasn’t there, but I want a hand in torturing those who supported the wedding attack.”
Surprised, I glance at Faro who nods, violent eagerness shining in his eyes. “That’s what the meeting is about?” I ask.
“Three of Maksim’s soldiers were captured, and it appears he supplied the automatic rifles at De Luca’s reception.”
“Did he now?” Alessio cleaned house in Vegas, but the fucking Bratva are getting bolder everywhere. That twisted fucker I keep hidden behind my expensive suits is sharpening his claws, knowing soon he’ll get to come out to play.
“I’m not a boy,” Renato grumbles, still surly over being excluded.
“You acted like one getting your ass suspended for fighting at school,” I tell him, ruffling his shaggy hair. He glares at me but knows better than to retaliate in front of one of our soldiers, even one as trusted as Faro. “Guard Francesca. Take her wherever she wishes togo before you take her home but, most of all, keep her safe for me,fratellino.I’m counting on you. Next time, I’ll convince Father to allow you to join us, okay?”
Satisfied with my promise, he nods. Standing taller and adopting his public mask of brutal efficiency, he adjusts his jacket to ensure his gun is out of sight. With one last glance back, I realize Francesca is out of sight, too. Hopefully, I’ll be home in time to share dinner with her tonight and then spend the rest of the evening in bed with her.
“Goddamn cocksuckers,” Faro snarls as we step outside, drawing me out of my domestic daydreams.
I glance over to see what he’s looking at, then tip an imaginary hat at the very obvious dark blue sedan with government plates parked behind my new Ferrari. The driver is startled by my gesture. “Who’s the new girl with Miller?” I ask Faro out of the corner of my mouth as the seasoned agent in the passenger seat mimics my courtesy.
“I don’t know. Some GI Jane wannabe turned Fed probably. Fucking FBI. They’re worse than fucking locusts.”
I let Faro rant as we climb into my car, understanding his hatred. I suppose I’d rant, too, if my father was in Attica… because of the fucking rat who’s technically my father-in-law.
29
Francesca
Iam floating above the clouds even with my feet on solid pavement when Renato and I leave at last. “I don’t know how you can be this excited over school,” my guard for the day says. “Or has my brother spent the past week rattling your brains loose in bed?”
Shocked, I whirl around and jab him in the ribs. “He told you that?!”
Renato laughs, not the slightest bit fazed by my violence. “Shit, I was joking. I don’t want to know the details.”
“Good because I’m not giving you any. Why aren’t you at school today?”
He shrugs, reclaiming that cold mask his older brothers assume with such ease. “I wasn’t in the mood for that bullshit.”
I narrow my eyes at him, sensing I’m not being told the entire truth, before asking if we can get lunch. I was so excited when Carlo told me where we were going, I couldn't eat breakfast. It was quite a morning even before that though. With a secretive smile, I remember lying on top of Carlo after sex and feeling… well, more than I likely should be feeling.
Renato is vigilant as we walk the couple of blocks to our destination, his head on a swivel as he checks for any dangers. He flips off a dark blue sedan that slowly passes by us for no reason. Must be a hot-headed teenage boy thing.
But even though he’s two years younger than me with shaggy hair and a couple of pimples visible, Renato’s a head taller and already broad-chested and more muscled than any grown man we pass on thesidewalk. He has the same tattoo over his throat as my husband. Some Trio men choose to have it over their heart instead as it's easier to conceal. I know Ronan did. Probably a good choice considering how things turned out.
The thought of escaping briefly flickers. Would Renato be easier to allude than Faro? I doubt it. Where would I go anyway? I have no money or connections here to get me back to Vegas. I dismiss the notion, telling myself school is a good reason to stay.
“Do you think Carlo will work late tonight?” I ask as we enter a busy chain restaurant. There are no hostile stares here, thankfully. I get another shrug from Renato in response to my question and suppose I’ll find out about Carlo’s schedule later.
Settling at the counter, we order. Food and caffeine start to loosen Renato’s tongue, a clear difference between him and my regular bodyguard. “Did Faro train you, too?” I ask, wondering if he has any scars like Carlo’s.
The respect in his tone is obvious when he replies, “Yeah, he did along with Carlo and Luca. I can almost take Luca in a hand-to-hand fight now. Almost.” I bite my lip to keep from smiling for no good reason over what hedidn’tsay - he can’t beat Carlo. “Faro’s an absolute hardass when it comes to fight training and a cruel fucker, but he’s one of our very best soldiers. Not just in New York but in all of our territory.”
“I guess you know his father.”
Renato nods. “I’ve met him, but I didn’t know him well. I wasn’t initiated yet when all that went down, but I’ve heard a lot aboutyourfather.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he would do that.”
Renato’s dark eyes, so like his brother’s, dart to meet mine. “You don’t owe anyone an apology for what he did. Of course, you didn’t know what he’d do, Francesca. Trust me, I know what it’s like to be the kid and left out of the decisions.”
I smile, pleased by his understanding and sympathizing with his frustration. I miss my cousins, but perhaps I can become close to Carlo’s siblings over time. “You can call me Frankie, if you like. Could you take me to visit your mom and sisters after we eat?”
