“In the meantime, we need to get some rest. You’re exhausted, and so am I. Let’s regroup after we get some sleep.”
Kathleen hesitated and then nodded. She got to her feet and set the tumbler down on his desk. He stood and put his down as well. She looked up at him, and it took everything he had not to pull her to him and pick up where they’d left off earlier. She seemed to be thinking the same thing because she glanced at his lips.
“Kathleen,” he said her name in a mere whisper. He leaned down toward her when Aldo cleared his throat. Enzo immediately straightened.
“Sorry, sir, but there is a situation that needs your attention.”
Saved by the bell…not that he wanted to be saved. “Fine.” He dropped a quick kiss on the top of Kathleen’s head. “Sleep well. We’ll continue this in the morning.”
Without a backward glance, he followed Aldo out of the room. God only knew what new crisis had arisen, but his thoughts immediately returned to Kathleen. She had to go home. Had to, for his sanity. Any more time around her and he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.
Aldo opened the door to the back terrace, and Enzo bit back a sigh. Sylvester Blankenship stood there waiting. His comb-over looked greasy, and he looked like he’d slept in his clothes. His beady eyes lit up when they landed on Enzo.
“Sylvester,” Enzo acknowledged the other man, “I thought you were going to call.”
Blankenship snorted. “I was going to call, but I thought I’d better bring this news in person.”
“You think I’m going to pay you more for the personal touch?” Enzo growled.
The other man did not reply. No quick quip or immediate insult. As a matter of fact, Blanks looked downright regretful.
Enzo’s gut tightened. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“You and me, Enzo, we go back a long way. We give each other a hard time, but we have a certain respect for one another.”
That was news to Enzo. He’d always thought of Blanks as a pimple on the butt of a rhino, but he wasn’t about to share that with the man in question. “Uh-huh,” he acknowledged as he wondered where this was going.
“I wanted to tell you in person… Alessandro Vitale is after whatever it is you have.”
“Old news, Blanks. I just got off the phone with him.”
Blanks started slightly. “Then you also know he has Bianca Rinaldi hostage. I know she was…important to you.” He emphasized the wordimportantas if it were some big secret that he and Bianca had dated.
Enzo grimaced. “So, he mentioned. Is there something else? Do you know who the guys who were shooting at me are? Or who they work for?”
Blanks shook his head. “No, the shooters aren’t from here. I’m working on finding out who they’re working for, but it’s not Vitale. Seems you’re a popular guy. Lots of people want you dead.”
“Lucky me,” Enzo growled. “You got anything else for me? The names of any of the players?”
“Still working on the thief you were meeting. There are three of them, siblings. They’re good. Well respected. Have a reputation for getting the job done, but I don’t have names. They keep to themselves. Very low profile. Word of mouth only to hire them.”
“Well, if that’s all you got, Blanks, I’m going to pass on paying you. I?—”
“That’s not all,” Blanks said with a smug smile. “You will have to pay me for this bit.”
Enzo wanted to drive his fist through Blanks’ face, but he refrained… just barely. “Spit it out, man.”
“Rocco knows Vitale has his sister. My informant tells me that he doesn’t really care what happens to his sister, but he’susing it to get back at you. He still sees you as a threat. He’s running all over town telling the world it’s your fault Bianca is in trouble. That he is negotiating with Vitale to get her back, but it’s delicate because of his connection to Vitale. He’s trying to make it seem that he’s all about business, but if push comes to shove, it’s family first. And it’s you who has putLa Famigliain this position.”
“Figlio di puttana,” Enzo ground out. “What the fuck is that son of a bitch thinking? His grandfather must be beside himself. Massimo would have burned everything down to get Bianca back, not negotiate. Family always came first with him.”
“Yeah, he’s not pleased, but he’s not putting up a fight. He’s standing with Rocco, posing as a united front. Bianca has been getting into a lot of trouble lately. The old man had to pull some strings to get her out of Morocco. She’s out of control. Her brother says she’s made her choice, and he’s not going to let her bring the family down. He’s telling the world it’s all your fault that she is the way she is. This is your mess. And that you’re going to have to pay.”
That news made Enzo go still. If Rocco really said that, then the situation just got a thousand times worse. Not good at all. He’d be on Rocco’s hit list as well as Vitale’s and whoever else wanted the map. If the old man was backing his son, then Enzo was well and truly on his own. His stomach plummeted to his knees. He had to get Kathleen out of town ASAP. This was getting out of control. It was one thing when it was about the treasure, but nowLa Famigliais involved and out for blood… His blood. This wasn’t good. Not at all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“You failed!” his client seethed.
