Page 44 of Memphis

She let out an exasperated sigh, then finally answered, “I’m just worried about Carmine.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“That’s just it. I don’t know.” She grimaced. “I just have a feeling that something is wrong... that he’s up to something.”

“Up to what?”

“That, I don’t know. He’s just been so secretive lately. He’s always on the phone, taking calls outside where I can’t hear what’s being said, but I can tell he’s upset. And he’s been different with me.”

“Different, how?” I pressed, trying to make sense of her scattered thoughts.

“Distant. Cold. He won’t even touch me, and lately, he’s been oddly paranoid.” She let out a sigh. “Last week, he accused me of going through his things, but I hadn’t. I’d just put away his laundry, but he got it in his head that I’d been searching through his things. I tried talking to him, but he was too furious to listen. He ended up storming out of the house and didn’t come back for hours.”

“Any idea where he went?”

“No. I wanted to believe that he’d just gone to his office, but I have a feeling that he was somewhere he shouldn’t have been.”

“You think he’s fooling around?”

“I don’t know what to think.”

Mom and I had our differences, but I loved her, and seeing her so vulnerable hit me hard. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s not like I have any actual proof that he’s doing something he shouldn’t. It’s just a feeling.” She shook her head and scoffed. “And his brother popping up unannounced isn’t helping matters.”

“His brother?”

“Hm-hmm.” Mom rolled her eyes. “His name is Vittorio, and he’s just as arrogant as his name. Carmine has been running hand over foot to make the man happy, but he always snubs his nose. But he’s all smiles whenever I’m around. It’s creepy.”

“I don’t like the sounds of this guy.”

“I don’t either, but maybe it’s all in my head.”

“I don’t know, Mom. You’ve got good instincts. If you think something’s up with this guy and Carmine, there’s probably something up.”

“But what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s just something in the family or with their company.” I didn’t want to upset her any more than she already was, so I tried to remain calm as I told her, “Just keep an eye on things, and if he gives you any more reason to worry, then we’ll look into it.”

“Okay. That sounds like a good plan.” She let out a breath she seemed to have been holding forever, then smiled and said, “Thank you, sweetheart.”

“Now, you need to get home and get some rest.”

“I’m fine.”

“Well, you look like hell.”

“Weston!”

“Well, you do, and I don’t like it. I want you to go home and get some rest. And keep your distance from this Vittorio guy. I don’t have a good feeling about him.”

“I’ll do what I can.” She leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “Please keep me posted on things.”

“I will, and you do the same.”

“I will.”

With eyes filled with worry, Mom turned and walked out of the room, leaving me with a heavy feeling in my chest. I thought about everything Mom had said, and something just didn’t sit right with me. So, I grabbed my phone from the bedside table and sent Shep a text message. He was the club’s hacker, and if anyone could find out what was going on with Carmine and his brother, it was him.

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