Page 150 of King Of Order

Where are you?

I need more cash now.

This is no time to cut me loose, bitch.

Each buzz of my device transmitted a jolt of anxiety through me until the final one stopped me dead cold.

Forget the Barbieris. Now the Marianos are after me.

The last text sent a finger of terror through me. I couldn’t ignore it. Not when I comprehended what was at stake.

The Barbieri mess might’ve been handled, but if he was in with the Marianos, we were up shit creek without a paddle.

The Mariano family. The mere thought of them shot a shiver down my spine. They were formidable, dangerous, and not the kind of people you might scam and walk away unscathed.

Their business front comprised high-end art dealings, real estate, and luxury imports, but everyone understood they had ties to something darker.

Their influence stretched beyond Italy—into the US, Europe, and South America. They had connections everywhere; if you crossed them, there was no running.

They weren’t the type to sit idly by while someone ran off with millions.

I walked rapidly through the office, holding a box of papers, and found Mauri in the gallery, his eyes peering close at one of my pieces.

‘Mauri, sorry to pull you away from that canvas, but we must leave. Now.’

He shot me a look, picking up the tension in my body. ‘What’s wrong?’

I gave him a quick rundown.

‘Back to the villa then for a confab,’ he growled.

He helped me lock up fast, and we strode to his SUV.

I had to show Rio the texts.

By playing with the Marianos, Claudio was gambling with an inferno.

I had no idea how bad it was. I had no insight, and terror crept over me.

What the hell fire had my fuckin’ stupid brother now dropped us into?

The drive to the Calibrese manor was a blur, my thoughts racing as I replayed the messages. Also, furious at how fast my peace was snatched from me.

When I arrived, Rio was sitting on the terrace, sipping a glass of wine, his eyes flicking up to meet mine as I approached.

He reached for me, and I went to him, lowering my lips for a kiss.

I broke it off, my brows furrowed in worry.

‘Dimmi,’ Rio ordered, exchanging glances with Mauri, who stalked after me.

I slumped in a chair, mood off, tapping my nails on the crystal of vino that Rio poured for me as he listened.

I expounded on the texts, mentioning the Mariano family and the threats.

Sharing my burden lifted it from my soul.

To my surprise, Rio didn’t appear shocked. He listened to my words, his expression calm, but a tightness in his jaw told me he wasn’t taking this well.

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