“It’s fine,amore,” I reassure. “Time for a break, anyway.” I stand and stretch my shoulders. She watches the movement almost hungrily and I wink at her. You’d hardly believe it was mere hours ago that I had her writhing beneath me in our room. The woman’s insatiable. But then again, perhaps I am too. I can’t get enough of her.
“There are people, Papà! People outside!” Dani’s voice is bright with excitement as he bounds up to my desk. I frown at him, then glance at Nikki.
“People?” I ask her. She sets her jaw, her chest heaving as she huffs out a breath.
“Press,” she mutters grimly. I feel my own jaw clench.
“Again? How the fuck did they get in this time?” I wonder out loud.
“Probably came in by helicopter,” she replies. “I heard one overhead a while back. These people are fucking impossible.”
“Not at our helipad, though,” I respond. “The team would never allow it. And there should be security at the landing strip for the estate.”
She shrugs. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they just set the damn thing down in the road someplace.”
I shake my head. Sounds impossible. I’m pretty sure there are laws against what these people are prepared to do to get a story. And right now, my father’s downfall is all over the news. It’s been weeks since he was taken into custody. Frankly, the knowledge that he’s behind bars almost makes the invasion of our privacy feel worthwhile. Because whatever discomfort they’re causing me, will be hurting him a thousand times more. I feel a swirl of grim satisfaction.
It’s going to be months before his case goes to trial. And no doubt it’ll be a drawn-out affair, considering how convoluted the whole mess is. But one thing that appeals to my sense of retribution is that the death of Angela Maria Caraldi is being pinned firmly on his shoulders. One of many murder charges, but the one that matters most to me. It’s strange that this is one of cases that came up on the roll, and it leaves me with those niggling thoughts about that conversation at the warehouse.
Mateo…
I can’t stop thinking about him. Even though I want to pretend this whole shitshow is behind me, I know it’s not. I’ve already received summons to appear in court in connection with several charges. I’m wasting hours each day consulting with legal counsel. Dozens of attorneys. It’s infuriating.
Of course, there’s nothing they’ll find that will stick as far as I’m concerned. If I learned anything during the time I worked for my father, it was to operate in that murky underworld where targets were so universally despised, it would be impossible to determine who might have ordered their executions. And if my father has any sense at all, he won’t implicate himself further by claiming he used me to do his dirty work.
“Are you okay, Dario?” Nikki’s voice pulls me back to reality. Making me realize I’ve been lost in my own thoughts for a while.
“Never better,” I say, smiling as I reach a hand to stroke my knuckles down her cheek. It’s true. Despite the upheaval in my world, things feel stable with her around. As if I can handle everything,anything, with her at my side. “Hungry?” I ask, realizing that it’s probably nearing lunch time. I’ve been pouring over paperwork for hours – tasks that normally would have been handled by Mateo. I keep feeling his loss, in even these small things.
“Ravenous,” Nikki says, then licks her lips. The husky edge to her voice leaves me in no doubt that she’s talking about something other than food. I lean forward and brush my mouth against hers, then glance a kiss across her cheek.
“Later,” I murmur into her ear. “I’ll plan a feast.” I hear the sound of her swallowing; hear how she sucks in a small breath. When I straighten, her cheeks are pink. I fucking love it. My warm wanton woman who’s still so pure and unsullied by it all.
“I’m hungry too, Papà,” Dani adds, entirely oblivious to the subtext of the conversation. Good. I plan to keep it that way. My little boy will be innocent and unspoiled for as long as it’s within my power to make it so.
“Let’s go see what Carlos has got planned for lunch,” I say, reaching for Dani’s hand. It’s small and warm in my own. I tighten my fingers gently, keeping him close. It had killed me to send him away during the heat of the action. I just couldn’t take a chance on anything happening to him. Much like my fears for Nikki’s safety. Though God knows I cocked that up royally. My poor angel had thought I was going to kill her. Sheer madness. I’d die before a light a single precious hair on her head come to harm.
At least Dani had a good time. Even learned to ski. Cute kid. Maybe when this insanity is over, I’ll take them to Aspen.
“I hope we’re having burgers,” Dani is chattering. Nikki has slid an arm around my waist and fallen into step beside us. “With fries,” Dani goes on. “The shoestring ones.”
“Sounds good,” I reply, pausing as I feel my phone vibrates. I release his hand to reach for it. The message on the screen makes my faltering step come to a halt. It’s
Mateo.
We need to talk.
Chapter 7
Dario Caraldi
“Ican’t believe you’re willing to speak to this cunt,” Raoul snarls as he paces from one side of the room to the other. It’s been a day since Mateo’s message, and I’ve agreed we’ll meet him at my penthouse suite. I doubt there’s much he can say to change my mind about him now, but my curiosity has driven me to this.
“Let’s hear him out,” I reply with a mildness that hides the churning in my gut. I’m settled in a sofa overlooking the view through the windows. It’s a panorama of Vegas that’s probably worth a cool million on its own.
I raise my tumbler to my lips and inhale the warm peaty aroma of single malt. Raoul continues to pace. And then there’s a knock at the door. Another reminder of how things have changed. There was a time when Mateo would have let himself in.
“Come,” I call out. I recognize the measured stride of my ex-friend without having to look up.
