“No, that was later. I’d sent Luca looking for something several days ago. He returned for our reception and with information.”
The unspoken ‘what’ hangs in the air. I take a deep breath, reminding myself I plan to be as honest as possible with Francesca after my previous failings.
“We went after men who knew where your father was living under federal protection.” She gasps. “He's been dealing Fentanyl on the side for extra cash. Luca found one of the suppliers he works with. We needed to take care of the rest of them before they could warn someone. Francesca?”
“Keep going,” she says, quietly.
“We went to a drug house in Jersey to find them. In the ensuing fight, Roberto’s son got it in his thick head to avenge his father by trying to knife me in the back. A clumsy attempt, really.”
“And you killed him?”
“I killed them all. Roberto, both his sons and the dealers.” We’ll need a new Underboss for Philadelphia, but that’s a problem to solve another day. “Francesca, when we find your father…”
“I don’t want to know anything about it,” she quickly says. “I know they’ll want an execution, something they can all feel like they’re part of.”
“That’s what they want.”
But I’m not sure that’s what I’ll give them.
“I was worried when you left tonight. I was worried you might cheat on me.”
I lean back so I may stare deep into her eyes before swearing once more, “I willneverforsake our vows. As you are mine, I am yours. For all my days.”
“Good.” She bites her bottom lip before flicking her eyes down the length of my body. “I know it’s been a long night, but do you think you’d be up to…”
With a playful growl, I roll on top of her, showing her I am more than up for another round. Not caring about my screaming shoulder, not caring about the dangers of the night or anything at all when my wife arches her back and bucks against me, whispering, “Make love to me,” in a needy little voice.
Sinking inside her soft heat, I realize the truth in her terminology. This isn’t just sex. It’s lovemaking, something I never thought to share with anyone but can’t imagine calling it anything less with her.
***
Dawn and she’s still sleeping soundly when Luca’s text comes through, asking about my shoulder before telling me his plans.
I pause, thinking about the spectacle they’ll want.
Once you have him, tell only me. I don’t want it to be common knowledge until I’ve seen him with my own eyes.
Luca agrees, and I give him another order.
Tell Ettore to have the penthouse swept.
The outsider?
A precaution.
I’m too close to catching Brian Donnelly to go to prison now, and there’s no way I’m rotting in a cell away from the woman I love.
47
Francesca
The instructor calls my name as class is nearly over. “Would you mind stepping into my office, Francesca?” Did I mess up an assignment? Is this about Chris still being missing?
Acting more composed than I feel, I nod, feeling uncomfortable at the prospect of being alone with a male instructor. If Harper was here, I’d ask if she could join us. Where is she?
That question is answered when I walk into the instructor’s office. Harper and two men are waiting for me in the small space, all of them standing. I’ve never seen Harper dressed like this, in a black pants suit with her hair sleek from a straightening iron. Her makeup isn’t as heavy as usual. It’s more professional, more mature, more polished, like she’s playing a role. Or was the other version of Harper the role?
The men with her are dressed in dark suits, too, with neatly trimmed hair and no beards. Wild guesses and fuzzy intuition lob strange scenarios my way.
