Ben opens a brown paper folder and slides a few photos across the desk toward me. With conflicting emotions, I stare at the images of Gino and the blonde.
I want to tie him to a chair and beat him bloody before slashing his skin with my blade, until there is nothing to hold his internal organs inside, for daring to cheat on someone as perfect as mydolcezza. Another part of me applauds him for being an idiot because this just might mean a way to extricate Natalia from her unhappy marriage. Or, at the very least, create an opportunity whereby we can be together.
I slide the photos back across the desk. “She could be Juliet’s twin for sure.”
“I think he’s in love with her,” Ben says, walking to his liquor cabinet and pouring drinks. Bourbon for him. Scotch for me. “And that’s a problem.”
Blood turns to ice in my veins. “You don’t think…” My voice trails off because I can’t even articulate the thought.
“I warned him not to do anything stupid, but I don’t know. He’s not acting like the man I know. He said all the right things, but I don’t believe him. Natalia seems to think he will try to kill her so he is free to marry this bitch.” He hands me my scotch.
“Natalia knows?”
Ben nods, retaking his seat. “She discovered them together but left before Gino spotted her.”
“Who is the woman?”
“Her name is Marcella Toscana. I sicced a PI on both of them, and Philip is sending me daily reports on Gino’s whereabouts from the tracking app. All I know about her so far is she comes from a distinguished family from Forest Glen. She’s college educated, and she runs her own life consultancy firm. She was engaged to one of DeLuca’s capos. He was shot and killed at the hotel.”
“Her family ismafioso?”
He shakes his head, sipping his bourbon. “I don’t think so though I’m waiting for that intel. It seems she was marrying in. With a name like that, there is definitely some Italian blood in her.”
“Does she know he’s married?”
“She does now.” Ben smirks, tapping his fingers on the desk.
I arch a brow.
“I sent her family pictures with a warning to stay away.” His grin expands. “I also sent her pictures of Juliet. It’s only fair she knows she is just a replacement for his real true love.”
I wonder if that will stop her. I whistle under my breath. “Gino will be pissed.”
“Gino can go to hell.”
“What are you going to do?”
He levels me with a fierce look. “Protect my sister and my family. Safeguard the business and The Commission.” He drains the rest of his drink. “Whatever action I take next depends on what Don Accardi chooses to do.”
* * *
I ridewith Ben in the helicopter back to Greenwich later that night. I wasn’t planning on staying this weekend. I want to catch up with my parents. Plus, I have drinks arranged with Brando and Alesso in the city tomorrow night, and I was planning to drop into Club H on my way home. I need to let off some steam, and Ben’s Club H—short for hedonism—is my favorite of his sex clubs.
But as soon as Ben mentioned Natalia was staying at the house and she wasn’t in a good mood, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to stay over tonight. I need to check on her myself.
The helicopter deposits us on the landing pad behind the house. I grab my bag and walk with Ben across the lawn toward the impressive mansion. Ciro keeps a few paces behind us. “Are you still meeting Brando tomorrow night?” Ben asks.
“That’s the plan.” I might cancel, if I’m needed here, but I don’t vocalize that thought.
“I want him following Natalia, and I want you to assign someone at night to watch over her apartment. Pick someone trustworthy. Set it up with Brando tomorrow.” He turns to look at me, stalling as we reach the edge of the house. “I don’t want her to know. She will freak out, but I need to know she’s safe. I don’t trust Accardi’s men, but I trust Brando. He took care of her before, and he looked after Sierra last year. I know he will ensure no harm comes to her.”
“I’lldo it,” I blurt. “I’ll watch her during the day, and Brando can take the night duty.”
Ben shakes his head. “No. I need you, and you can’t be the one to do it.”
Unspoken words filter between us, like always when Nat’s name comes up.
Ben clamps his hand down hard on my shoulder. “I can guess what you’re thinking, but don’t go there. Don’t make a complicated situation even more complicated.”
