Page 39 of Courting Danger

The Bianchi family leader lounged in his own chair, pulling his jacket back over his wounded arm while also continuing to write.

“So you claim, but I have my doubts. Alex is new to his position. Taking out the leader of a rival family would be a good way to establish authority.”

Many people in my family want Alex dead.

Losing him so soon after losing David would cripple the Mariano family, and we could take advantage of that.

If it gets out that I helped you, my position would be in jeopardy.

Just by looking over her shoulder, I could tell Ghita struggled to keep track of two conversations at once. I pulled the notepad from her hand and started writing, leaving her to handle the spoken conversation.

“We didn’t arrange an attack on you. Believe it or not. It doesn’t matter. However, you’re right that Alex is missing. If you had anything to do with that, I promise, you will regret it.”

As soon as she finished speaking, I flipped over the notepad for the Bianchi leader to read.

Why should we trust you?

All the evidence we have so far points toward you kidnapping Alex.

This made the Bianchi leader smirk and huff under his breath like he wanted to laugh, but he kept himself under control and played it off like a sneer.

“Sounds like dear Alex has made too many enemies. Not a good sign, considering how short a time he’s had the position. Maybe the Mariano family should step down and let more... capable families handle things.”

I’m not stupid enough to kidnap someone with a drug only my family controls.

Your real enemy is using me to cover their tracks.

A fair point.

The moment I’d heard about the Vibe drug in Alex’s wine, I found it suspicious. It was an unusual choice of drug just to knock someone out. There were plenty of better solutions.

No, the drug had been used specifically to incriminate the Bianchi family.

But why?

Was it an attack against D’Angelo Bianchi, or had the man simply been a convenient scapegoat?

Ghita’s fist slammed into the arm of her chair. “You mean we should just give in to you. I swear, if you’ve done anything to Alex, I’ll—”

The Bianchi leader cut her off. “You’ll what? Whether or not I’m involved, there’s nothing you can do about it. So, go home, and maybe start preparing for a double funeral. It sounds like your cousin is going to end up six feet under, one way or another.”

The Bianchi leader’s eyes flickered toward me with a pointed look.

There were paragraphs hidden in those blue depths that I couldn’t translate, but I did know one thing. We needed to wrap this conversation up.

I quickly scribbled down a simple question.

If you’re offering help, that means you have help to offer.

What is it?

Taking a moment to collect himself, the Bianchi leader stood and smoothed the wrinkles from his coat. In the same motion, he pulled an envelope from his pocket.

“I’m giving you one warning. Leave this city in the next five hours, or I can promise you’ll not leave at all.”

He placed the envelope on the table before striding from the room with a swish of his long coat. On his way out, he flashed the notepad one last time.

I hope you find him.

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