“I won’t say anything to Liesel, so she’ll have nothing to tell Heidi. But that’s on the condition you help us.”
Jorge’s tone is almost—almost—conciliatory. He’ll give an inch while taking the mile, and Friedrich won’t know what’s happening until it’s all done.
“I don’t know that much, but I’ll try to find out. What I know for now is that Cosima’s had a longstanding affair with the’Ndranghetadon. When I say longstanding, I mean decades. I don’t know if she’s tradedMala del Brentasecrets. But whatever’s going on right now, she’s taking their side. Before she began the affair, the don had a different mistress. The woman was alsoMala del Brenta. Her husband’s still acapo, and so is her son, Zorzi.”
Vita covers her mouth to silence her gasp. I let go of her hand and wrap my arms around her, concerned by how pale she’s gone. It’s clear this news stuns her. I encourage her to lean her head against my shoulder as I kiss her forehead. Then I turn my attention back to Jorge.
“That may explain how Cosima and Zorzi’s connection to the’Ndranghetaand how they learned of Alejandro and Vittoria’s involvement. That still doesn’t explain why.”
“Give me some time, and I’ll find out.”
We remained at the office for a few hours until it went dark, then we moved our meeting toTíoEnrique’s house. We’re in a heated conversation about confronting the O’Rourkes since they’re funding the Camorra and’Ndrangheta.
“Vita, you are not coming to this meeting. I amnotputting you in front of the O’Rourkes. Whether they know about you or not is irrelevant. Maybe you’re right, and they don’t, but I’m not dangling you like a steak in front of a pack of hyenas.”
The heated conversation is between Vita and me. She actually thinks I’ll let her come to a sit down with the O’Rourkes. The woman is out of her mind.
“And I’m telling you I know more about the four syndicates in Italy than any of you do. I might not know why they’re after us, but I know more about how they operate than you’d think. I’ll know faster than you do whether the information the O’Rourkes give you is legit, bullshit they made up, or bullshit fed to them that they’re passing along. It could take Joaquin hours to fact-check what I can tell you in a couple of minutes.”
“I still don’t want you anywhere near them, and I definitely don’t want you going to the strip club.”
“Embarrassed of what I might see you doing?”
The men in my family remain silent as Vita and I go toe-to-toe. Her last comment makes me go rigid. I inhale deeply, pushing back my shoulders and standing to my full height, not because I’m attempting to intimidate her but because I’m shocked by what she just said. I take a moment to breathe before responding.
“You think so little of my feelings for you? That I’d—at best—just flirt with some women, or—at worst—fuck them.”
“I don’t think the latter, but the former is highly likely.”
My relatives cringe and all lean away, knowing Mount Alejandro’s about to explode. It tempts me to drag Vita from the room to unleash all my thoughts on this matter. It sorely tempts me to spank the infuriating woman.
“Let us be extremely clear about something, Vita. You and I had the same boundaries, and just like I don’t think you’ll betray me or our relationship, I wouldneverdo the same to you. The reason I don’t want you there is that you’re a gorgeous woman who customers might confuse for an employee. You surely haven’t forgotten how we met.”
It’s her turn to go rigid and stand to her full height. The color rises along her neck, and she practically vibrates with anger.
“Do you plan to abandon me once we get there, so I’m alone long enough for someone to confuse me?”
“Of course not. I’m just as worried about what somebody might say to our faces if they confuse you for a dancer there for her shift. I’d have to kill the fucker.”
We glare at one another.
“Don’t you have security cameras and microphones throughout the club?”
“Yes.” I narrow my eyes, guessing where she’s going with this.
“Do you have a back door?”
“Vita, even if I can slip you inside the club and you watch everything that’s happening from the locked office, it’s still unsafe for you to be there.”
“Do you believe now that we’re together, I’ve suddenly forgotten how to defend myself? I’ve been a spy and a mercenary since I was twenty-two.”
“Believe me, I’m well aware of your history and your abilities. But why tempt fate?”
“Because this is about my life as much as it is yours.”
I know she’s right about it all, and I know fear drives me. I even recognize how irrational that fear is. But I can’t help it. I’d do anything to keep her from being exposed to additional threats. It’s still against my better judgment. However, I relent with a single nod.
“Thank you. I promise I’ll stay out of sight.”
