The wow factor is a double-height great room with a glass back wall opening to a courtyard that gives off backyard vibes. I doubt anything illegal happens out there.
But I'm not here for real estate.
I want my sister and my girl.
And of course, Squish. But he comes with the girl. A two-for-one.
"Come, come." Costa leads us further into his home, past the great room and through to an extravagant area where the wall of glass opens onto the patio for the courtyard. It isn'topen now, but the table is covered with cakes, pastries, wine, and sandwiches.
What the fuck is he playing at? Some kind of housewife?
I shoot my father an irritated look, but he narrows his eyes and shakes his head a little, so I shut up.
I'm not about to do a thing to compromise Lola and Lyndall's safety.
And if that takes an afternoon fucking tea party, then I'll take part. I might have to kill Costa later, but...
In my head, the clock counts down. A relentless ticking that grows louder with every second that passes.
Costa snaps his fingers, and a dark-haired beauty wiggles in.
She's wearing a tight red dress and high heels. She kisses him and pours the wine.
She picks up a tray. "Cake?"
Are these fucking cupcakes?
Dad steps on my foot.
"Uh...thanks..." I take one.
I don't want cakes or wine. This isn't a social visit, and I want to explode. I want to pull my gun.
But Dad's ease as he sits down vanishes every time he glances at me.
I don't need to hear him speak. His unspoken words are loud enough in my head.
Sit the fuck down. Shut up. Smile. Play the game.
I shove a bite of cake into my mouth to help and chew slowly, trying to ignore the warning bells ringing.
We shouldn't be here.
This is a waste of time.
Every minute away is a minute closer to losing Lola and Lyndall.
And not one fucking message from my team.
Because as Edoardo sits back, seemingly more concernedwith being a consummate host instead of dealing with the issue at hand, the urgent one, I can't help but wonder if he's trying to stall.
It's like fire ants are roaming over me.
Dad, though, settles in.
And the two of them start shooting the shit about old times and crimes. They laugh over clashes they've had and when they've joined forces.
When Costa calls Red Dress over to refill their cups and makes her sit on his lap, something she does willingly, the thread I'm clinging to dangerously frays.
