Page 102 of Sweet Prison

I gape at him. Adriano has always been the most gracious among the high-ranking Family members. Calm. Cool. Collected. Outside of the Council meeting I witnessed, he’s never argued or lost his temper with anyone, and he certainly never showed violent tendencies. Up until this moment, I’d have sworn he would never harm a living creature in his life. But as I watch him now, discussing the disposal of his wife’s body like she’s nothing more than an unwanted piece of junk, while appearing utterly at ease and unperturbed by the circumstances, I realize how wrong impressions of people can be. He might appear to be perfectly placid on the outside, yet there’s a brewingstorm of rage and hatred swirling in his guarded eyes. He just might blow up like a supernova.Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

“What about her family?” Massimo asks. “Dead gangsters can be dismissed as the corollary of an internal skirmish, but this is different.”

“As I said, I’ll take care of it.”

The veins in Massimo’s neck are bulging, his muscles are straining against his skin, and the look in his eyes is turning homicidal. I don’t know what possessed Adriano to kill his wife, but I do know Massimo can’t afford to go apeshit and attack Adriano this evening. The man is too important to Cosa Nostra. I know Massimo knows this, except his anger is blinding him right now. That inner brute is taking over. I need to get my man out of here. Now!

“Massimo.” I grab his hand and squeeze. “We should go.”

His jaw hardens, and his eyes don’t shift from Adriano’s stoic face. They make quite a sight, these two—both tall and impeccably dressed men but with completely different vibes. Massimo is all glaring, raging fury whereas Adriano is a tightly wound booby trap. Two distinct predators, facing each other, like two cobras ready to strike.

“Please,” I urge, squeezing Massimo’s fingers in mine. “Adriano did say he’s got everything under control. And I’m getting really cold.”

Massimo’s stance relaxes.

“Peppe has the cleanup crew on standby. Call him.” Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulls me into his side. “Let’s go home, angel.”

Chapter 24

“No, I am not changing my mind!” Massimo’s roars carry all the way to the second floor. The dining room window was probably left open. Or not. His volume frequently hits this peak whenever he’s “talking” with Brio. My guess is the soon-to-be-former capo has paid Massimo another visit. Even at a distance, and with hair dryer going, I can still hear the unfolding discussion.

“Are you trying to blackmail me, motherfucker?”

Yup. Definitely Brio.

“Miss Zara.” Iris pokes her head into the bathroom. “Peppe says there are major delays on the way to the airport, and he thinks it would be best for Don Spada to leave a little earlier.” She winces as another round of shouts erupts on the lower floor. “Also, I just wanted to remind you that the contractor should be here in fifteen minutes to take a look at the roof.”

Damn. It took six tries to finally book an appointment with this particular roofing firm. If the tradesmen arrive while Massimo is still having a fit, they’ll likely just turn around and leave.

I shut off the blow dryer and glance at myself in the mirror. My hair is still damp, and all I’ve got on is Massimo’s dress shirt. My immediate impulse is to get dressed and deal with my hair to make myself more presentable before meeting with a capo, outbound or not. The etiquette and proper attire requirements have been engraved in me since I was barely old enough to walk.

Well, things have changed.

“Prepare some refreshments, please,” I say to Iris while heading out of the room. “If I’m not done in the dining room when the roofers arrive, find some way to distract them for a little while.”

“Sure. Of course. Um… and will you be able to calm the don down before they get here?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. That’s great. And… how are you planning to do that?”

I stop at the threshold and smirk. “By redirecting his vigor.”

As I rush along the hallway and down the wide staircase, several house staff throw surprised looks my way. Some seem amused by my wildly disarrayed hair, but most are perplexed by my choice of outfit. Massimo’s dark-brown shirt leaves my bare legs on full display. At least it’s long enough to cover my ass and hide the fact that I’m not wearing anything underneath. Not that I would care if it wasn’t. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and I respect that, but I just don’t give a fuck what those are anymore.

It feels good. Liberating.

“I can’t tell you howlittleI fucking care about the contracts you can secure for the Family, Brio! Schmoozing with the investors and your ability to kiss ass as you did at your party last night is not what this is about. You’re still out! If you’re bored already, find a hobby. I hear crocheting does wonders for keeping your mind sharp!”

The shouting continues to spread through the mansion like a wave. I glance at the crystal chandelier hanging in the entry hall, then edge along the perimeter of the room. Just in case. That thing might come down any minute.

When I reach the dining room door, I don’t even bother knocking. There’s no point since no one would hear it anyway. I just twist the handle and step inside.

Brio and Tiziano are on the left side of the long table, hovering in their seats and looking rather stressed. Salvo is across from them, leaning back in his chair and observing the chaos like it’s amusing to him. Massimo, meanwhile, is at the head of the table, his lips pulled into an angry sneer.

“And you!” he addresses Tiziano. “Who the fuck authorized you to fire the casino manager at Bay View? I gave you specific—”

Massimo’s head snaps up, his eyes darting to the doorway where I’m standing. “Shit, baby. Did I wake you up?”

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