Page 40 of Twisted Knight

“I get it. It would affect the most patient man. We’ve been working on that for months and we don’t have anything.”

“I wouldn’t say that. Actually, we have a lot more than you might think.”

“The key to a safety deposit box?” I took the key out of my pocket and held it in my palm. “There’s no distinctive sign about this key—only a number.”

“True, but we’ll find it and that man was not an idiot. He lived hidden too well, for far too long. You noticed it, didn't you?”

He was testing me; everything was a test with Matteo.

“He didn’t fight.”

His eyes lit up and there was approval there. Why would he even care about what I noticed or not. It was not like I was his consigliere… Matteo didn't even have one; he was above it.

“Exactly, meaning that he didn’t see the person, theMano Vendicativa,” he spat with disgust, “as an actually threat.”

“Okay, so you think…” I trailed off.

“I think it might be a woman.”

That made me jerk back in surprise. “A woman?”

“Why not? Women can be just as smart as men and certainly way more vindictive.”

That statement right there was so progressist that it would make the families frown. Women were not supposed to be as smart as men. For the old-school Cosa Nostra, a woman could not outsmart a man… What a bunch of fools.

“The guy you tortured said the voice sounded male.”

Matteo shrugged. “It’s easy to find a way to change your voice.”

“That’s true. I’ve got an app I use when I get bored, and I prank call men from the famiglia.”

Matteo looked at me speechlessly, his mouth slightly ajar, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “You’re… prank calling people? You’re thirty-five, Domenico.”

I shrugged. “Thirty-four, and I’m not doing it that much anymore, but when I'm bored?Perchèno?”

Matteo burst into laughter, and I couldn't remember the last time I saw him laugh like that. Honestly I didn’t think he ever did.

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard all year!” He wiped under his eyes. “Wait a minute.” He turned toward me, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Are you the one who kept calling my cell for Sex-express?”

“Get a mind-blowing blow job in less than thirty minutes?” I grinned. “I was quite proud of that one.”

Matteo growled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I should shoot you in the kneecaps for that.”

“You should… but you won’t. You still need me.”

He sighed. “It’s annoyingly accurate.”

He grabbed the key from my hand. “We’ll find out what it opens; I can assure you of that.” He took a deep breath, leaning his head against his headrest. “Let’s go to The Rectory. I need a drink.”

I looked at my watch. Visiting hours at the hospital were over, so I couldn’t go see Cassie and the babies before tomorrow anyway.

“Is The Rectory really the best for a drink? It’s not their main purpose.”

Matteo threw me a side-look before starting the car. “I was not thinking about that type of drink, Domenico, but more fucking our day’s frustration away. You can have the lovely Elodie for the night; I know how fond you are of her.”

I nodded silently as we exited Baker’s Place. Maybe going to The Rectory and having Elodie would help me think straighter. Maybe it would reduce my obsession with India and I could rationalize again and stop myself from doing anything stupid like sucking her up into my messed-up life.

I should have known better…

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