Page 93 of Scarlet Angel

I roll my eyes and lift the bottle of scotch.

“What news do you think I’ve missed?” It’s true my priorities have muddled, but I haven’t been under a rock.

“Well, let’s see. Car bomb outside of Rome.”

“Terrorists.”

“Explosion in an office building near Atrani.”

“Gas line.”

“Anton De Luca shot in a drive-by shooting outside his villa.”

I don’t bother with a response and offer him a crystal highball glass.

“Didn’t realize Americans monitored international news so closely.”

I sit and swirl my drink.

“Cocksucker.” He leans forward, holding the glass but not sipping. “You think we don’t know what you’re doing? Lupi Grigi have been dropping daily ever since they threatened Scarlet. The woman you’re shagging.”

“What the fuck do you care?”

“It’s against the rules.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t give me that shit. Within the syndicate, there’s an understanding, and you know it. We don’t attack our own.”

“Fascinating. Anyone scold Massimo De Luca when his brother had my sister drugged?”

“Your sister is an addict.” He drawls it, implying I’m the problem.

“De Luca had her drugged.” To get to Leo. There’s no benefit to raising that point.

“Huh.” He slides the glass onto the coffee table. “Here I thought you were on a rampage to protect the ginger.”

That, too.

“There’s an investigation into Titan Shipping.” I study him to see if this is news to him.

He swirls his drink, unaffected. As expected, he’s aware.

“There’s blood in the water. Those attacks could be from anyone. And what do you care, Dorian? What does the syndicate care? Did you miss the bits about a blackout, cyberterrorist attacks, and an EMP blast? Isn’t that a higher priority?”

He stands and strides to the window, which is now shaded.

“We go way back,” he says.

“Yes, we do,” I concur. “Is that why you’re hopping to London so often? You miss me?”

“You haven’t replaced Leo Sullivan.”

“Told you. Other shit’s been going on.” Clearly. But both he and his father have asked.

“Well, I’m here to tell you there’s no need.”Fuck me.Dorian does have an expanding satellite business. Contacts within the CIA. The highest echelons of the US government. If he’s the one who discovered Leo’s role, why go at it with a covert message?

“Why?”

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