Page 42 of Depths of Hunger

Renzo’s gaze shifts to his brothers, and I can tell they’re communicating silently, locked in some kind of unspoken conversation that I can’t hear. His jaw tightens, and he turns to me briefly before glancing away. “Esme is on her way. She says she has news. She just left Father.” He walks back to his desk and sits down, tapping his fingers restlessly on the dark wood.

Luca nods. “Father needs to be brought up to date.”

“I agree,” Renzo says. “As soon as I know what to tell him, I will make sure he’s kept in the loop.”

“Who’s Esme?” I ask, my nerves fraying more with each passingsecond. “And what’s going on? Can you guys communicate telepathically?”

Renzo’s brow furrows as he shoots me a warning look. “This isn’t the time, Mia.”

“When is the fucking time, Renzo?” I snap, frustration boiling over. “What the hell is going on?”

Nico struggles to sit up, his movements slow and heavy. He shrugs off his suit jacket and then flops back onto the couch like the weight of the world is pressing down on him. Albert, the butler, bustles into the room with urgency, carrying a tray with two pints of dark, thick liquid. My stomach churns because it looks like blood. I fight the urge to gag as I watch them down the blood like it’s water. I push up from my seat, needing to get away, but Renzo’s voice stops me cold.

“Mia, sit back down.” His tone leaves no room for argument, but I hesitate, feeling trapped.

“Renzo, I don’t think I can?—”

“Sit. Down,” he commands through clenched teeth, and I know I’m pushing him. I see something in his eyes I’ve never seen before: worry. Real, unguarded concern for his brothers.

“Sir, the news is saying it was a carbon monoxide leak at the restaurant. Due to the rain, the doors to the terrace were closed which only made the situation worse. And Signor Lombardi is here. As well as Signors Baldini and Marchesi. Signor Colucci is on the phone. They all wish to see Mia.”

I blink. Shit. “They’re here already?” I should’ve known since Luigi has been here and gone. I stand. “Albert, I will see them in the living room.”

Renzo starts to say something but I hold up my hand. As much as I don’t want to do this, it’s a necessity. “It’s important they see me as strong. I’ll make it brief.” With that I walk out of the room with Albert in tow. “Is everyone from the restaurant okay?” I ask, thinking of the proud grandfather and family who had so innocently wanted a birthday celebration.

Albert nods. “Several patrons were taken to hospital but no deaths so far.” He walks ahead to announce that I am coming. I stop in thehallway and take a deep breath while trying to calm my insides. This is such a disaster. I want to be anywhere but here. Instead, I square my shoulders and walk into the room. Albert puts Colucci on speaker and then leaves the room.

“Gentlemen,” I say. “It’s good of you to come.”

They all stand and Big Tony growls, “Do you know what happened?” I pretend not to notice the bandage on his hand where his pinky used to be.

“Carbon monoxide leak is what they’re calling it.” I don’t get into any details. Quite frankly I can’t wrap my head around any of it, so it’s better to pretend none of it exists. No sick vampires here.

“Do you believe that?” Lombardi asks.

“Hell no,” snorts Giuseppe and then he shoots me a worried glance. “I mean?—”

But I wave him off. “I do not believe it was an accident if that’s what you’re asking. Nico and Luca are drilling down on it now,” I add, figuring I might as well give them an alibi for the moment. I can’t very well say they’re in the office sucking down blood. I feel a bubble of laughter crawling up my windpipe and I bite down on my tongue to stop it from erupting. “I would ask that all of you drill down as well. The sooner we find out who is behind all of this, the better it is for business. Now I’ve got calls to make… If you will excuse me. I do appreciate your checking up on me.” I say it all with a smile and then turn to go.

“What about the meeting with the ‘Ndrangheta? Are you still going to meet with Valente?” Colucci asks.

“Yes,” I say firmly even though I had forgotten all about the damn meeting. “I don’t think this was the ‘Ndrangheta. Doesn’t make sense. All of my meetings will go ahead as planned.” I need to appear strong.

“Where’s Angelo?” Lombardi asks.

Shit. Damn.Fuck.I completely forgot about Angelo. I have no idea how to explain his absence. I turn back with a cold smile on my face. No point in lying. “Angelo and I have had a parting of the ways. He was overly ambitious, and I decided not to tolerate it.”

Lombardi gave me a slow smile and nodded. “Well, you’ll be looking for a new consigliere then.”

“Yes, I will but not at this exact moment. Sorry, gentlemen, I have much to do. Albert,” I call, “can you please see these men out?”

“Very good, Signora Valdici,” he says.

I go to hang up the call, but Colucci starts talking.

“I’m close on the cartel deal. As long as you make it work with the ‘Ndrangheta so we can bring everything in from the south then we’re in business.”

“I’ll take that under advisement,” I say and then hang up. I hurry back toward the office, but I take a moment to lean on the wall to try to process everything I’ve witnessed. I am totally overwhelmed. I snort as I admit to myself that there’s just too much to process and a moment in a hallway isn’t going to cut it.

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