Page 78 of Little Rabbit

“Well, we can count our lucky stars that our intel is so thorough that Lazaro can get to her first,” Dante remarks. “But now we need to figure out about the others and get to them as well. If we can get them all under our roof, we stop all this shit.”

I nod. “Alonzo, get Aurelio and Papa on the phone. We’ll see if they have any further information.”

Alonzo nods and pulls out his phone, making the call.

“What I want to know is how Tommaso got in the tunnels,” Sofia interjects, looking down at Dante expectantly.

We all turn to look at him, and Dante’s lips thin. “It appears that while we were gone, Tommaso figured out how to override the system and get his biometrics added to the list. We can only assume he learned of the tunnels when everything went down at the wedding and saw us put Gia and Sofia into them.”

“So Tommaso was a traitor,” I summarize darkly. I look at Nico. “It seems you need to look closer at your men, Nico.”

Nico nods. “As soon as the bodies are cleared out and things are fixed up, we’ll be seeing to it personally. The issue now is how many other people know of the passages and how to access them.”

“Can you not change the biometrics so that no one else can access them?” Sienna asks curiously. “I’m sure it’s more complicated than that, but it’s a start.”

“We’ve done that,” Dante explains. “But the issue is they’ve been compromised. For now, unless it’s absolutely essential like it was today, no one is to be in them until we can secure them again.” He gives Sofia a pointed look that she returns archly. “Sienna, you and Rori will be added for access, along with Alonzo and Alessio. When Lazaro comes back, we’ll add him and Amara as needed. But again, they will be locked down until we determine they are secure or we have to use them.”

“The place is like labyrinth, so I’m good,” Rori drawls. She looks at Nico. “Your obsession with mazes is weird as shit, by the way.”

“That would be my parents,” Nico answers tightly. “But they come in handy when you need them.” He gives Gia a heated look, and she flushes, trying to hide a smile.

“I have them on the line,” Alonzo announces, coming closer.

“I hear you were victorious for this round,” Papa says through the line, pride in his tone. “And I have also heard that I will need to provide my condolences to Rafaele’s father. Though from reports on my side, it looks like Don Parisi has stepped back into the seat his son left all those weeks ago and is now preparing for his second eldest to take it over.”

“I thought there was talk that Rafaele killed his brothers,” I remark.

“Apparently not, though there is no sign of the other brother, so we can’t discount the rumor completely,” Papa replies. “For now, we’ll see how Armando Parisi settles in before we decide how we’re going to proceed on that front. But by all accounts from our sources, his father is trying to avoid another situation like with Rafaele.”

“He knows that once people find out about Rafaele’s death, that there might be retaliation from any of the people that Rafaele wronged,” I predict. “Well, that may come sooner than not once he finds out I killed him.” My voice doesn’t hold even an ounce of regret.

“We’ll handle any retaliation that might come our way,” Papa assures me. “Though considering the state of things, I doubt it will come to that. Now, what’s this I hear about Lazaro finding the other girl?”

Before anyone can answer him, Nico’s phone rings, and we all turn to look at him expectantly. His face goes tight when he looks at the Caller ID. “It’s Leonardo,” he says tightly. Then he swipes his finger across the screen.

35

SIENNA

It’s odd to realize that the man on the other end of the call is my father. Well, biological father, because this man is definitely not the man I’ll be calling Dad for the rest of my life. No, that title is reserved for the man who raised me, and not the monster that spent his years beating and terrorizing his daughter.

“Nico,” Leonardo says smoothly, his voice filling the now silent room.

“Leonardo,” Nico replies in the same tone, though I don’t miss the way Gia clings to him, her face drawn. I want to go to her too and comfort her, but I stay put. “Have you finally called to congratulate me?” Nico continues.

“I’ll give it to you that you have a lot more balls than your father,” Leonardo replies, sounding unruffled. “How is my daughter? Still enjoying her so-called freedom? Or have you done what I should have done years ago and disposed of her?”

“Your view of your own flesh and blood needs some work, Leonardo,” Nico returns, the only slightest of inflections in his voice, so subtle that I almost miss it. How is he able to sound so calm when it’s clear he’s very pissed off? “My wife is exactly where she should be. With me, and untouchable by you or any of the other factions of your so-called family. Though, I suppose I should send my condolences on the death of your son and nephew, hmm? Oh, and your wife.”

I jerk at the mention of Lorenzo. Alessio puts a soothing hand on my leg, though he never takes his attention away from Nico or the phone in his hand.

“My son was a waste of breath, so it was a favor, all things considered. And my wife, well, women are useless, so no loss there if you ask me. As for my nephew, considering I haven’t been told about that yet, I have to assume it’s only happened during the attack on your home. Perhaps I’ll have to call up my dear brother and offer up my condolences. Who killed him?”

“I did,” I answer before I can stop myself. Alessio’s head snaps toward me, but before he can stop me, I’m up and moving closer to Nico. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’m done listening to the voice on the other end talking like nothing matters. I want to rattle him, and I want to know the purpose of this call. Gia’s face has slipped into one of fear, but I ignore it. Nico just stares at me, eyes dark and piercing.

“And who are you?” Leonardo asks after a moment.

“I’m the daughter you didn’t know you had,” I reply simply. “Though, considering the circumstances, I don’t claim you as family. Especially since it was your son that almost killed me in Greece when he pressed a gun to my head and then tried to shoot at me. A funny way to welcome me into the family, but then, what did I expect?”

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