“I can usually find something even if it’s fake and purely there to cover tracks. But there is literally no footprint online for Catarina Conti. Mazzone thinks she’s hiding something, and I tend to agree.”
“It only adds to the intrigue,” my buddy says, closing the laptop. “If you won’t marry her, maybe I will.” He waggles his brows.
“You’d give up your bachelor ways to marry a stranger in an arranged contract?”
He shrugs, tipping beer into his mouth. “It’s gonna happen sometime.” He cocks his head to the side. “I know you’re opposed to it, but marriage to someone like her would help our agenda.”
“Maybe, but the lack of intel makes me uneasy. I don’t like dealing in uncertainties.”
He barks out a laugh. “You’re such a fucking hypocrite.” Rumbling laughter spills from his mouth at the dour expression on my face. “When you think about it, it’s really perfect. You’re a ghost. She’s a ghost.” His blue eyes twinkle with mirth. “You two are a match made in heaven.”
ChapterFive
Catarina
“Iwant everyone on high alert tonight,” I say as our car approaches the rendezvous point in Manhattan where we will meet Don Mazzone’s men.
“They won’t pull any shit at Mazzone’s home,” Nicolina says, snuggling into Dario’s side. “His wife and kids live there.”
“That’s not what Catarina means, hon,” Agessi replies. “We’re not sure who will be there and who might recognize her or Renzo.”
I thought about not taking Renzo with me tonight, but his absence would probably raise more suspicion. Still, I can’t take chances. I phoned my stepfather and warned him not to take any calls from New York. We also concocted a story in case anyone should recognize my underboss and query how a former Las Vegassoldatois now my right-hand man. I intend to pay Saverio a visit in person to ensure he repeats the same story, should he be asked.
“Leonardo and Natalia live on the grounds of Ben and Sierra’s estate,” I explain. “Alessandro and Serena too.” Ben goes to great extremes to keep his private residence top secret, but it is widely known all three couples live on the same sprawling estate. The exact location is a closely guarded secret, and all visitors are forced to arrive in the same manner as we will. “While we have never met Alesso and Serena, he is a Salerno. He meets Anais regularly, and he has made several trips to Vegas. My stepfather has a couple of pictures of my mother on the walls. He could spot some resemblance.”
“He won’t make the connection,” Renzo says, staring absently out the window as the busy streets of New York flash by. “You look nothing like your mother or Anais.” He turns to face me, looking handsome in his black Burberry suit and pale-gray shirt. His eyes sweep over me quickly.
I am wearing my signature white. My fitted, sleeveless, knee-length silk Givenchy dress has a scooped neckline offering a mere hint of cleavage. It dips low at the back, resting just above my ass, with three looped diamond chains holding the sides together. Silver and black stilettos and a matching purse complete my outfit. My hair is straightened and pulled back in a high ponytail. Subtle makeup complements my ruby-red lips and smoky eyes.
I know I look good. I made sure of it. A lot is hinging on tonight.
“You obviously take after your father.” He reaches across the leather seat to squeeze my hand. “You look stunning, and he doesn’t deserve you,” he adds through gritted teeth.
“Renzo.” My tone carries considerable warning. I am sick to death of arguing with him about this.
“Nothing has been agreed yet,” Dario reminds him.
“He will take one look at her and offer to say his vows on the spot,” Renzo retorts, withdrawing his hand from mine.
Nicolina is as subtle as a brick when arching her brows. It’s her “I told you so” face.
“This will be my decision. I’m the one with the power in this situation. The Commission might be nervous because I’m an outsider, but they need me, and they know it. He will agree to it.”
A muscle pops in Renzo’s jaw, but he raises no further objection.
We park in the private parking garage at Ben’s Caltimore Holdings building where one of his men is waiting to escort us to the chopper on the roof.
As soon as we fly out of the city, we are handed eye masks to wear. Two of Ben’s men sit with us to ensure we don’t peek.
Forty minutes later, we land on the grounds of the impressive Mazzone residence. We hand our weapons to one of Ben’ssoldatibefore we exit the helicopter. It’s standard protocol apparently and a directive straight from the boss. We don’t argue. This is his family home, and I would expect nothing less.
Bennett and his gorgeous wife, Sierra, are waiting for us. Sierra is the person I am most concerned about. After Renzo explained how he met her, Ben, and Leo in the basement of one of the clubs Saverio owns in Vegas, I became worried she may remember my underboss.
On the don’s orders, Renzo had taken her from a table in the club and brought her to Saverio under duress. It was twelve years ago, and Renzo looks different, so she might not remember him. Back then, he was younger, leaner, and had hair. Now, he’s bald and broader with a beard and massive amounts of ink he didn’t have the night they met. We are hoping she doesn’t recognize him, but given the circumstances, she could.
I can’t execute my plan while keeping Renzo hidden. So, we might as well introduce him now, and if any of them recognize him, we’ll feed them the story we have devised. We’ll say Renzo only discovered his familial ties to the Contis after he was in Saverio’s service, and that he came to me, looking for work when Saverio let him go, and quickly moved up the ranks. My tech guy is planting the fake seeds online in case anyone looks for verification. I am hoping it’s enough to deflect them from digging deeper, especially if Saverio sings from the same hymn sheet.
Renzo keeps his hand on my lower back, his sharp eyes peeled, as we walk toward our hosts. “Welcome.” Ben shakes my hand as he greets us. “We are delighted you could join us.”
