Page 42 of Malevolent Secrets

“Massimo will not sit still for months. He will want his pound of flesh and he will want it now. I am sure that his father is the only reason he hasn't made a move.”

Bruno Massimo, Capo and leader of their sect of the Cosa Nostra is a level-headed man. My father and he weren't friends in the true sense of the word, but they respected each other enough to avoid stepping on toes.

That respect did not extend to his son and neither did the levelheadedness. While Bruno is a think first, act later kind of boss, Massimo is and act first, pay the price of consequences later kind of boss. Even though his father is still alive, he is already well on the way to becoming the capo.

“Bruno has asked to meet with you. He sent a letter with his insignia on it this morning,” Victor says, and I'm tempted to roll my eyes.

“He couldn't send a text?”

“You know how the older generation likes to do things the difficult way.”

Victor hands me the letter and I drop it on the table in front of me without opening it.

“Aren't you going to read it? Victor asks.

“Later. I have more important things to do right now than to cater to the whims of an old man. How are Maria and Isobel?”

“Good. Isobel has started attending her new school and Maria is waiting tables at the club.”

“Waiting tables? Wasn’t there a more professional position for her?”

“Not with her middle school degree there wasn’t. She’s taking the time to enroll in an online college and when she’s gotten her degree, we can move her up.”

I consider that for a minute and it seems fair, so I nod.

“And my sister, any news from her?”

“Not yet boss.”

My sister is a wandering spirit. She's never in one place for long and while that has served me well for a long time, it makes me uncomfortable that she isn't within reach right now, especially with Massimo on the move.

“She hasn't been in communication with Vincent?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

“Vincent doesn't tell me about his communication streams so I wouldn't know. I thought you would, considering he is your best friend.”

Victor has never liked Vincent. I don't know if it’s because of my friendship with him or the fact that he was my first choice to be my second in command, but his dislike has only grown over the years. The feeling is of course mutual for Vincent.

“Thank you, Victor.”

With a subtle nod of his head, he leaves the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I take another sip of the sweet drink, I can still taste her on my lips, feel the echo of her presence in my mind.

Daniella Roberto—beautiful, stubborn, and now, mine to protect and to mold. The thought stirs something primal within me, a fierce possessiveness that I haven’t felt in years.

I turn back to the empty room, the echoes of our conversation still lingering in the air. I can still see her, sitting there with that mix of defiance and vulnerability.

The way she challenged me, pushed back just enough to show she’s not afraid, yet smart enough to know when to concede, intrigues me.

Tomorrow she’ll step into my world and everything will change. I’ve pulled many people into this life, but none like her.

None who’ve made me question my every move, my every motive. I have as much control over the situation as I think I do, which isn’t very much at all. That should worry me, but I only find it exciting.

Brain occupied with thoughts about where I can sneak Dani off for private rendezvous fill my mind as I take out my phone and go back to managing my empire.

Daniella

The decision to ask Lorenzo for a job at the club wasn’t made lightly. It’s been gnawing at me for days, ever since I discovered the connection between Jeremy’s death and the Duretti family. If I want to get to the bottom of this, I need to be closer to the source. And that means taking a drastic step.

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