Fuck it, it’s a chance I need to take. Especially for Rori’s life.
I call Urso. “Secure line,” I say the moment he answers.
“Done. Alright, what do you need me to do?” That’s Urso, no bullshit when he knows it’s important.
“Need you to find out what you can on Timur Belov and his movements. Romanov says that his intel shows no movement, but I don’t believe that at all. If anyone can find them, it’s you, but you need to be fucking careful. We don’t know who is going to be monitoring activity online, and where that information might be sent back to.”
“You wound me with that statement, brother,” he huffs, and I can hear him typing away. “But I’ll be careful. Zeno and Kida are working on cleaning things up around here for Nico now that Dante and Sofia are in New Jersey but he can help me when he’s done that.”
“What?” I bark, shocked as his words slam into me.
“Oh, yeah, shit, sorry, forgot you’re not up to speed on that,” he mutters absently. “You’re going to lose your shit when I tell you that they’re engaged now, aren’t you?”
My grip on my phone tightens to the point that I can hear it cracking. What the fuck? Why didn’t she tell me? And like fuck is she going to marry that fucker. “When did this happen?”
“Well, she only just told us today, so you’re not behind really. But yeah, he convinced her to marry him. I still want to kill him, but he took over his father’s territory and he’s now a Don. Untouchable.”
“No one is untouchable.” Maybe I can convince Rori to help me come up with a creative way to kill him. I’m sure Hades won’t mind a few extra bones to chew on…
“According to Pietro he is. They’ve worked out some kind of agreement, along with Nico.”
He sounds too fucking calm. And I don’t have time to deal with this shit right now. But when I get back to New York, fucking right I’ll be paying a visit.
“Just get me the information I need. I’ll deal with the rest of that when I get back.” I don’t wait for him to answer, too pissed, and maybe a bit hurt that she hasn’t said a damn thing. A part of me knows it’s not to distract me, but it’s bullshit.
I type out a quick message to Sofia.
Alonzo: When I get back, we’re going to be talking about why you didn’t tell me you’re shacking up with that cocksucker you’re with and about your engagement that I had to hear about from Urso.
Her reply isn’t long in coming.
Sofia: Because you have a lot to deal with, and I’m not going to distract you. And cocksucker isn’t right. He’s more of a pussy-licker. And a very good one at that…
I glare at the phone, wanting to hurl it far away, and then bleach my brain to never have the image of that in my head. Ever again.
Sofia: And they only just found out. I was going to tell you tonight before I went to bed. Well, more accurately, after my man sexed me up and before I fell into a post-orgasm coma.
Jesus Christ. I really am going to kill him. Slowly, painfully, and with as much creativity as I can muster. Hell, I’ll ask fucking Tatiana for pointers if I ever see her again.
Alonzo: Fuck off.
Sofia: I miss you too. And you better come back to me in one piece with Rori at your side, or I’m going to make you a flower girl at my wedding. I’ll dress you up in a fucking pink suit and tutu too.
I shudder at the thought. Mostly because she’d fucking do it too. Sofia is just insane enough.
Alonzo: I’m still pissed at you, but I miss you too. And like fuck would you get me to do that.
I put my phone away and see Titus grinning at me. “Say a word, and I’ll cut out your tongue.”
He holds up his hands placatingly.
I storm inside, knowing exactly where I’m going to find my woman. It’s the only place she seems to care about. I try not to let it bother me. I can’t expect her to come and seek me out, considering the circumstances.
When I reach Ilya’s office, I’m right to find Rori already there, looking over papers at Ilya’s desk. When she hears me enter, her head lifts briefly before looking back down. I shut the door behind me, grateful for the moment of privacy. I step up to the desk, and she holds up a finger, then points to where Hades is sniffing along the wall on the other side of the spacious room.
Fucking handy to have a dog that can sniff shit like that out.
I move around the desk, smirking to myself as I anticipate her reaction. She stiffens and glares at me when I swiftly lift her into my arms, take her seat, and place her in my lap. I wrap my arm tight around her waist, holding her still when she tries to squirm away. “I missed you,” I breathe in her ear, nuzzling at the soft skin just behind her ear. “Didn’t like waking up to a cold bed this morning.”
