Matti’s been glued to his phone since we arrived, alternating between hovering over Siena and pacing like a caged tiger. Hisphone rings and he moves away from the table, dropping a kiss on the top of Siena’s head before taking the call. She and I exchange glances and listen.
“So it was Jimmy and Dante’s crew.” Matti’s voice is low and menacing. “And now that crew no longer exists? Good. Good…. Silk Alessi? He’s on our side now? Yeah, I don’t know how much I trust that asshole…. I’ll text you the address. See you in a minute.”
I suck in a breath. He must be talking to Vin.
My heart kicks into overdrive, hammering against my ribs, and I tuck my hair behind my ear then adjust my sweater. Siena’s eyes narrow suspiciously, but I pivot away, crossing to the kitchen side of the counter. I go to work automatically, pulling prosciutto, hard cheeses, and olives from the fridge.
The front door explodes open, and Vin strides in without knocking. Like he owns the place. Like what’s mine is his. I quickly scan the one room that is my apartment, seeing what he sees: a dilapidated brown leather couch, an armchair that leans to the left, a scratched up wooden coffee table with mismatched side tables and lamps with dusty shades. Then us on the other half of the room with the chipped formica counter separating the kitchen from the crappy card table.
His gaze locks on me, his jaw set, pinning me in place. The air between us crackles. Then he breaks the spell, pivoting toward Matti. Crossing the room in a few steps, he yanks a chair out from the table.
“Where’s Silk?” Matti asks, glancing at the door.
Vin shakes his head. “I sent him on an errand with Grit. When they’re done, Grit is taking him to the Edge for questioning.” He slams his fist down on the table, rattling everything on it. “Tonight shouldn’t have happened. It’s one thing to get hit out on the street when it’s just us. But in abrand new safe house? With women present? Somebody close is running their mouth.”
“If you were the target, you need to lay low for awhile,” Matti says, his grip on the back of Siena’s neck tightening. I know he wants to get her out of here, and Siena looks exhausted.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I venture softly.
Vin’s glare hits me like a physical blow. “We’vebeenlaying low, and this is where it’s gotten us.” He jabs a finger at Matti, his voice rising. “You and Tommy have been holed up playing house while there’s work to be done. Where the hell is he, anyway? He’s not answering his phone.”
Matti glances at Siena before responding. “He took Giovanna somewhere safe. She’s not having an easy pregnancy with the twins.”
Vin groans, dragging a hand over his face. “We’re at war, and we need to end this before one of us ends up in a body bag. We can’t do that if you guys are MIA.”
“You’re right.” Matti nods, staring down at the table as Siena leans sleepily against his shoulder. “We’ll all be safer when this is over. Now that Giovanna is back and safe with Tommy, we can focus on taking Aurelio out. But I do think you need to disappear while we handle it.”
Vin leans forward, his intensity ratcheting up another notch. “That’s not the point. The party was last minute. It was a brand new safe house, barely anyone knew the location. And they still found us. Foundmespecifically.” His eyes are dark, dangerous. “We don’t know who leaked it. Could be someone in the inner circle. Could be someone we trust. Until we figure out who’s talking, none of us are safe.”
Matti’s expression darkens. “You think it’s one of our guys?”
“I think we can’t rule it out. This wasn’t random. They knew exactly where to hit and when.” Vin’s voice drops to something lethal. “We need to find out who told Aurelio. Fast.”
The silence is suffocating.
I clear my throat nervously. “You can stay here.”
Siena bolts upright, instantly wide awake. “NO!”
All eyes are on me, and heat floods my face and neck. “I don’t have anything to do with any of these people. I’m at the restaurant most of the day, so you’d have the space to yourself. No one would even think of looking for you out here.”
Vin’s expression is unreadable. “Why would you do that?”
“Because she’s a nice person, you fuck,” Siena snaps. “But this isnothappening. No way are you making her a target with your bullshit.”
Matti shrugs, his hand still possessively on the back of Siena’s neck. “It’s not the worst idea. And it doesn’t have to be permanent. It can just be for a night or two until we find something more convenient.”
Siena smacks at his arm, but he catches her hand mid-swing. “Try again, kitten.”
“Of course you don’t have to.” I can’t stop blushing under Vin’s hard gaze, and I hate myself for it. “And I know it’s not anywhere near as nice as what you’re used to, but there’s always food in the fridge and I won’t be here most of the time, so you’ll have privacy.”
Siena ends her silent battle with Matti, and he releases her wrist slowly.
“This is the worst fucking idea I’ve ever heard,” Siena hisses at me, her eyes blazing. “Sophie, I know you like him, but you don’t know him! Vin is an asshole, and you’re too busy to deal with his bullshit. He’s not worth getting killed over.”
My skin feels like it’s about to burst into flames, I’m so embarrassed. I shoot her a look that I hope tells her, with love, to shut the frig up. “It’s no bother. And if it helps you…”
Vin doesn’t answer. His angry intensity radiates off him, and he pulls a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and taps one against the table over and over.
