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“Well, if he did happen to join Leonardo, wherever he may be, no one would be particularly put out about it.” Lucrezia was utterly calm as she spoke easily of killing a man. Not just a man, but one of her own men.

Obviously, Marius had been making waves within the organization.

If he disappeared here in New York City, they’d be able to lay the blame at Don DiNardo’s feet. Or perhaps one of the other families that operated within the city. Part of the cost of doing business.

That’s if there was anyone within the current Bianco structure who cared what happened to Marius. Perhaps there wasn’t and Don Bianco was just loathe to handle the last of the former don’s loyal men on his own. Or perhaps there was someone they were saving face for.

It wasn’t my business regardless, so I kept quiet as Aunt Serena smiled.

“How long are you planning to stay in New York?”

“A few days, at least,” Lucrezia replied, and the conversation slipped back into banality, allowing me to relax. Just a little.

I couldn’t relax entirely because I couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to come next. The women wanted to learn from me, but what would the men think?

What did Tomas think?

He’d stood between me and the Biancos, he’d broken Marius’ arm, but he also hadn’t looked at me once. My stomach churned anxiously and the tea did nothing to settle it. I wish I’d been able to make one of my special brews, that would have actually been helpful. Would I be allowed to make tea now that they knew my affinity for poison? I’d already been helping Clara… hopefully they would realize that I meant them no harm.

Strange, how quickly I’d gone from wanting to escape, to being afraid I wouldn’t be allowed to stay.

Tomas

The women met us back in the foyer with Lucrezia, after Paulie had been sent to fetch her. My shoulders relaxed when I saw Ivy again, though she was hanging at the back of the group. I didn’t blame her.

Marius was there as well, his arm now in a sling, steadfastly keeping his gaze on the front door rather than looking in either mine or Ivy’s direction. The creep’s self-preservation skills were improving. At least I wouldn’t be the one to kill him, as long as he stayed away from Ivy.

Don Bianco and Don DiNardo clasped hands as Lucrezia was returned to her father’s men, sauntering back into their circle as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Maybe she didn’t. Her brother looked her up and down as if assuring himself she was unharmed and then settled as well, some of the tightness easing from his shoulders.

I looked at Ivy again, but she was staring at the floor in front of her, looking very much like the naughty little girl that she was.

She had a hell of a punishment coming her way.

No more keeping things from me.

Not just because I didn’t like it, but because ignorance could prove dangerous. As it had today.

“We’ll see you at our scheduled dinner tomorrow. Just you and your children.” Don DiNardo’s voice had a hint of a warning.

“Of course. I’m looking forward to catching up with Hailey.” The smile Don Bianco directed at her was sincere.

“Me too, Uncle Dante.” Hailey smiled back warmly at him, and everyone relaxed a little more as she claimed him with a familial title. The ties between the Biancos and the DiNardos were going to be stronger than her grandfather had ever anticipated, and it had nothing to do with him. He was probably rolling over in his grave.

There was a knock at the front door, which made everyone tense, until Hailey made a soft sound.

“Oh, that must be Adeline,” Hailey said, hurrying forward to answer the door. “Excuse me. I will see you tomorrow.”

Don Bianco nodded. “It’s time for us to go anyway.”

He started for the door just as Hailey opened it and Adeline Smith, widow of the former Mayor of New York, stepped in, her small son at her side, his hand in hers. Mrs. Smith’s eyes widened when she saw the assemblage in front of her. She was a petite woman in her thirties, generously curved, and widowhood suited her. Her husband had been beating her and eventually turned his fists on her son Arthur.

Hailey had asked Jack to take care of it, and he’d given the assignment to me. Not every job is a pleasure, but that one had been.

“You appear busy, Hailey, I can come back…” The widow stepped back, while her son’s gaze moved around the room with unsettling focus. He was a serious-faced boy, but a brave one.

“No, no, we were just finishing up here. My uncle is visiting and surprised us by arriving early,” Hailey said, both reassuring and chiding as she shot a look at Don Bianco.

His attention wasn’t on her though, it was on Mrs. Smith, who ducked her head nervously rather than meeting his gaze.