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“Was it?” Don DiNardo asked mildly. He turned his head to look at Jack. “Jack, have you seen Hailey’s cousin recently?”

Jack shook his head, reaching up to rub the underside of his chin.

“No, father, I do not recall seeing Hailey’s cousin recently. He did attend our wedding of course. But he should have left with his grandfather.”

“Yes, he should have.” Don DiNardo turned his gaze back to Don Bianco and shrugged. “If he did not go straight home, unfortunately, I cannot help you.”

“I am sure you can understand my concern,” Don Bianco said, clearing his throat. “While Giuseppe’s associates have accepted me in his place, it was well known that Leonardo was his intended heir. If he were to surface again…”

Ah.

Don Bianco was looking for reassurance that Leonardo wouldn’t be returning to Chicago to upend a delicate situation.

“Oh, I am sure you do not have to worry about that. If he were going to turn up, he would have done so before all this.” Don DiNardo waved his hand. “I think you can rest assured that he will be of no trouble to you. Ever.”

“Well, that is very good to hear.” Don Bianco’s lips curved up. It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was close. “Should we have a drink?”

“Absolutely.”

As they continued to talk, Angelo relaxed, which allowed me to relax. Had they worried we were harboring Leonardo for Hailey’s sake? I almost snorted aloud. Regardless, my mind started to wander to my plans for my little flower.

She’d been keeping things from me.

Daddy was going to have to make sure she understood that wasn’t allowed from now on.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ivy

“Can you teach us?”

Of all the things I expected Hailey might say to me, upon finding out I’d poisoned what was left of her family, that was not it.

The reassurance she’d given could have been a trick, though it had seemed sincere, and her question now was entirely earnest.

“I… ah…” I looked back and forth between Hailey, Lucrezia, Clara, and Aunt Serena.

“Not me,” said Clara, shaking her head. “I have my cats. I’m hopeless with plants.”

“As am I, though I would like to learn which are poisonous.” Aunt Serena smiled and lifted her teacup to her lips. If she was worried about being poisoned herself, she didn’t show it.

None of them had hesitated in sipping their tea.

Either they were stupid or…

Or they trust you, dimwit.

I had no idea how to feel about that. I had no reason to trust them.

No reason other than they’d taken me in, given me a home, clothing, food, plants… all the things I needed to thrive.

“I can,” I said slowly, “as long as neither Don DiNardo nor Don Bianco decide to take care of me.”

“Pish.” Aunt Serena waved a graceful hand, batting away my worry. “You did them both a favor and they know it. At worst, you will not be allowed to return to Chicago, which is what we want anyway.”

“What about Marius?”

“Do not worry about Marius.” Lucrezia took a delicate sip of her tea. “He is only here because he wants to find Leonardo. I’m assuming his hopes will be in vain?” She glanced around at the others. I had no idea what had happened to Don Bianco’s heir, but from the suddenly blank expressions on Hailey, Clara, and Aunt Serena’s faces, I had a feeling they did.