Page 108 of Maddest Temptation

“Three,” Vitelli said angrily. I began to pace, worrying at the pavement. “That’s the cargo you told Donato about.” Vitelli reminded me. “The one you used as bait?—”

“I know,” I interrupted him.

“Cassio, this means…”

“I know, Vitelli,” I snapped. “I fucking know it.”

A few months ago, I had given my underbosses a time and place where our cargo would be taken from and transported to a new location to be distributed and sold. Each of them received unique information. As time had passed and no cargo had been stolen, I almost forgot about it, but now…now I had my answer. Now I knew who the spy was, who the conniving little fox was. I had a gut feeling and it never left me hanging, but even if I had suspected it, a betrayal was a betrayal, and I felt the blade in my back being twisted.

“What now?” Vitelli inquired.

“We’ll use the fox to catch Grigori.” I answered simply.

“And how are you going to do that, Cassio?” He threw his hands in the air.

I was thinking about it. “We’ll have to tread carefully,” I said. “Donato Manci cannot suspect we are on to him.”

“He fucking betrayed us,” Vitelli said in disbelief. “All those years serving Father and then you, and he betrayed us.”

“He’s going to pay for what he’s done,” I said, my vision turning red.

This was all I needed to make him pay. All I needed was a reason to put him six feet under. “Call Marie, I want her and Francesca out of Chicago as soon as possible.”

When I entered the restaurant again, I mustn’t have hidden my emotions because Romeo said, “Trouble?”

“One of my men betrayed me,” I confessed. If we were to be friends, and if this alliance was going to work, then I needed to learn to trust others.

Romeo’s blue eyes turned dark. “You can have as many of my men you need.”

“I appreciate it, but I’d rather deal with him on my own.”

A terrifying smile ghosted the Capo’s face. “Then I bid you good hunting,” Romeo said extending his hand. “I’ll have you escorted to your jet.”

“Thank you,” I said and meant it.

“That’s what friends do,” he said and although there was no emotion in his voice, I could tell he meant it.

Three hours later when I arrived at my apartment, Francesca was lying in bed, her hands tucked underneath her cheeks. She was so goddamned beautiful it hurt.

Gently, I tucked a few strands of hair from her face. “Principessa.” I tried to wake her up. “Love.” I kissed her cheek.

Francesca stirred and looked at me, her eyes were red-rimmed. She had been crying. I understood what it was to lose someone you loved, and I wished I could take that pain away.

“You have to wake up.” I smiled when she shook her head.

“I want to sleep.”

“Principessa, this is important,” I said trying to keep my anxiety at bay. I needed her out of this city as fast as possible.

If I was going to act against Donato, I needed to be sure Francesca was okay. That she was safe.

“What is it? Has something happened?” She sat up, her back against the headboard.

I took a deep breath. “Actually, yes,” I admitted. Her blue eyes went wide. “Your father betrayed us.”

She was in shock for a few seconds and said nothing, I wondered what was going on in her head. “Cassio,” she blanched. “A few weeks ago, Marco came to me with a few pictures of Donato and some men. I think they were Russians.”

I sat back. “Why are you only telling me now?” I snapped.

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