Page 77 of Fight Me Little Pearl

I shrug. “It’s just business.”

Roberto smiles faintly. “That’s a brilliant idea, but I thought you were completely legit now.”

“Being legit doesn’t mean you don’t keep tabs on your competitors.”

Roberto nods and leans against the seat. “Thank you for trusting me,” he says. “This is huge information. If word of this gets out, all our plans will fail. Have you told anyone else?”

“No.”

Roberto nods at Dutch in the driver’s seat. “He heard you.”

I nod. “If word of this gets out, I’ll know it’s you.”

Roberto’s head snaps towards me, and there’s a hint of hurt in his clear brown eyes. “Why me? I just told you that Dutch heard you. If word gets out, why can’t it be him?”

“Because I trust him with my life.” My gaze meets Dutch’s eyes through the rearview mirror, and he immediately looks away, but not before I see the pride in them. He and Vance are the only ones who have my complete trust. I don’t trust anyone else except them.

Fifteen years ago, Dutch was kidnapped by a rival gang out for my blood. I searched for him for ten days, and when I found him on the eleventh day, he was barely alive. Through those tendays, he was tortured beyond comprehension for information about me, and he wouldn’t even give them my middle name. He endured this torture for ten days until I rescued him. He couldn’t walk for a year after the rescue.

Vance has seven bullet scars on his chest. It happened seven years ago when the Barone mansion was raided, and he took the bullets for me. We all thought he was going to die because, after seven bullets to the chest, there’s no way one wouldn’t touch his heart.

But the lucky bastard survived.

These men have knocked on death’s door to prove their loyalty to me, and in turn, they have mine. Roberto has a lot to prove if he wants my trust, and that involves staying solidly behind me at all times, even when my target is his brother.

“What the fuck? You trust Dutch more than me?” Roberto asks incredulously. “I’m family.”

“What matters is that I trust you enough to put my secrets in your hands.”

Roberto turns his gaze outside the window, saying nothing else. As far as affection goes, I care for him more than anyone else in the Barone family. But the presence of affection doesn’t guarantee trust. Roberto’s loyalty doesn’t lie completely with me, and I see it in subtle actions. His full loyalty is to his brother and that is fine by me.

Chapter Thirty-Five

VALENTINO

Itrudge into the house hours later, tired but the trip was worth it. Only when I took him to the site and showed him just how much gold was in the hills did he become my greatest ally against Sal. But I didn’t realize how much time had gone by. There are several missed calls on my phone from Francesca.

Fuck! We had a date.

With everything going on, I forgot. Her last call was four hours ago, and it’s been silent since then. I know she’ll be royally pissed and rightly so.

Vance materializes in front of me, his face blank as always.

“Everything okay.”

He nods.

“Good. I’ll see you in the morning. Ask Dutch to give you updates.”

“Yes, Boss.” He turns away.

“Wait.” Through the darkness, I peer into his face. “How is she?”

Vance purses his lips. “Pissed.”

“Where is she now?”

“She said to tell you…uhm, she’s gone to bed.” Vance turns to leave.

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