“Caterina, I want you to call your family. Tell them we’re going to pay for them to take a luxurious vacation outside of Italy. Just make sure they leaveimmediately– as in the next 60 minutes. Tell them just enough to convince them. If they need persuading, let Valentino speak to them.
“Lucia, you will inform your grandmother of everything you’ve heard.
“Lars and Rachel: triple security. I don’t wantanyonesneaking onto the property without us knowing. Massimo, help them with whatever they need.
“Niccolo, call the bodyguard for Alessandra’s father. Have him escort Signor Calvano back here immediately. After that, inform Alessandra’s grandmother and tell the Oldanis to be on the lookout for anything unusual in Genoa.
“Roberto – I know you triple-checked our accounts after Fausto’s death, but go back and makeabsolutely surethere’s no way they can hit us through our finances.
“Be careful, everyone. These are vicious people –dangerouspeople – and they already have a head start on us.”
“For all we know,” Niccolo interjected, “they could be watching the property right now. Be wary of your own shadow from here on out.”
Don Rosolini nodded in agreement, then said, “You have your orders. Now go.”
Everyone dispersed. That’s when I decided to take my chance.
As I walked over to Don Rosolini, I heard him speaking to Niccolo and Sofia. “I want you two to game this out. Figure out what they might do. We need to be prepared.”
Sofia nodded. “We’ll do our best.”
“Good. The clock is ticking, and we might not have much time.”
As I walked up, I cleared my throat to announce myself.
All three looked over at me.
Niccolo raised one eyebrow likeWhat are you doing?
Sofia’s face was blank.
Don Rosolini was by far the friendliest. “Giorgio, my friend – what do you need?”
“I was wondering if I could ask you a favor…”
“Anything.”
“May I take Emilia home on my way to Fiesole?”
“Have her stay here with us,” Don Rosolini said. “Tell her she’ll be our honored guest for as long as she likes.”
I winced. “I appreciate that, Don Rosolini – I truly do – but if she wants to go home… may I have your permission to take her?”
Don Rosolini frowned. “Why wouldn’t she stay?”
Shit.
“After the stalker from Milan, she has some issues with… our line of work in general. And after what happened this morning…”
Don Rosolini’s frown became a look of understanding. “Ah.”
“I’m sorry, sir – ”
“No need to apologize,” he reassured me. “But it could be dangerous for her to leave.”
“Actually,” Niccolo said to Don Rosolini, “Cesare’s not going to try to get leverage over us by using a foot soldier’s girlfriend. He’s coming after you, me, or anyone with the last name ‘Rosolini.’” Niccolo paused, then turned to me. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
