Relief flooded her face. “Thank you, Zahra. Truly.”
“No need to thank me.”Thirty freaking children…My stomach turned as I met her gaze. “Come rain or shine, we’re getting on theCelestial,” I said, my brain already formulating a plan, “and we’re going to get those sons of bitches.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Elio
I’d contemplated asking to speak to Casmiro before leaving for Mexico. I didn’t want him getting suspicious, but I needed to at least talk to him before we went after that map and those flash drives.
I sighed, taking a long drag from the cigar as I watched him approach the gazebo. The ember glowed faintly in the dark, and I flicked off the ash, my gaze following the steady rhythm of his stride. He looked less pale than he did the other day, but he still moved with caution, one hand brushing his side like he was mindful of an ache he would never admit.
The bright moon and the lights around the pool cast shadows on his face, highlighting the tight line of his mouth as he climbed up the stairs to the gazebo. We hadn’t spoken since I told him about my involvement with Zahra. He was probably still trying to wrap his mind around it.
I didn’t blame him.
Casmiro took the chair across from me like he’d done the last time, the faint scrape of wood against tile echoing under the hum of night.
“What’s this about?” he asked.
I leaned back, the cigar balanced between my fingers, watching the smoke twist upward before I finally spoke. “I wanted to tell you this in person. Kareem Fadel. You heard of him?”
Casmiro’s gaze narrowed, his brows dropping. “Yeah, here and there.”
“Great, I received intel a while ago. He’s a main piece in the puzzle to getting the original painting. I already have things inthe works. I’ll be at a cruise ship calledCelestialwith him—just to finalize a couple of things. It might take a few months, but that isn’t why I called you here.”
His frown deepened. “Okay… I’m listening.”
“Before I leave for Mexico next week, I would like to discuss something with you, regarding Elia, and some other minor things.”
He nodded slowly. “Before you leave…” he drawled, confusion in his eyes. “Why not discuss it now?”
I focused on the warmth of the cigar. “I want to be certain of my situation before I do. It is nothing to worry about, just…” I shrugged lightly. “Future planning for yourself.”
“Okay…” He eyed me with suspicion. “Why would we discuss my future, though?”
I frowned. “Why wouldn’t we? Do you want to be second to me all your life?”
“I have never complained; this job and this family are my blood.”
“I know.” I sat up, placing the lit cigar on the ashtray. “I do, but I also know you have been capitalizing on your racing business, and the cars you haven’t had the chance to work on because of the family business. I can help you draft out a starting plan, expand it into—”
“What’s happening?”
I blinked. “We are talking.”
“I know we are talking, but why are we talking about this?”
“I have been doing…” I rubbed my jaw absentmindedly. “A lot of thinking lately. Every individual has something they are very passionate about. But you were born into the family, so automatically, you have had to put your passions second. Let us change that.”
“I am completely content with my passions being second.” He eyed me. “This is random.”
The sound of familiar footsteps approaching had me backtracking.
“We will discuss it later,” I said, looking up to see Angelo dressed in a sharp, dark blue blazer and slacks, with a file in his hand, looking like he’d just left his home and was heading out to a meeting.
“Evening, Marino,” he greeted me before looking over at Cas, who had gone stiff. “They cleared you for movement?”
Casmiro blinked. “What?”
