Page 60 of Deception

“Here’s an idea. Try taking a break, Aless. Let us handle the investigation for now. Ciro’s got our business assets in hand, the shipments are still flowing. Ero is moving in the shadows, undercover where he can.”

“Great,” I droll, “good to know the empire can get by without me.”

“Hardly. If anything happens to you Alessandro, we lose everyone.Everything.”

“I know. I’m just being a grouch.”

“Just a little longer, Aless. Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Okay. You too.”

“Stay safe up there and stay warm.”

“No shit. I’m hanging up now.”

“Is everything all right?” Isabella peaks into my office.

“Yeah, everything's fine,” I grunt, stretching out fully in my chair. “Looks like we’ve got a few days to ourselves. Which means we need power. I'll have to go check the breaker outside. See if snow knocked out a wire or something. And if that doesn't work…”

“You have a generator, right?”

“Vincenzo usually took care of this stuff, so I'll have to figure out how to turn it on. It's been a little while.”

“Seems like you know how to turn things on just fine,” she mutters.

I swoop in, catching her in the doorway, wrapping my arms around her. “And you know just how to get my motor running, too. Hold that thought until I get back.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Are you kidding? It’s blasting snow outside.”

“Alessandro, I am perfectly capable of handling myself, and it’s safer if we stick together. Besides, you may need an extra set of hands.” She's right. As much as I don't want to admit it.

“Hmm. Fine. But we need to find something for you to wear. There might be some old ski gear laying around. I’ll go check the closets in the east wing.”

“Sounds good. I’ll stack the fire for when we come back in.”

Isabella heads up to the den while I dig through the old wardrobes. Several items should fit, including a newer coat that must belong to Ava or Carla.

A quick trip to my room has me layered, bundled, and waiting by the door. A few minutes later, Isabella comes waddling out into the foyer. “Bold fashion statement.”

“Yes, brown and hot pink are so in this year,” she grumbles, fidgeting with the scarf wrapped around her face. “Let’s do this.”

I nod, opening the door. We’re both knocked back by the gust of frozen wind and the pattering of flakes. “You sure you want to do this?”

“Try and stop me!” Isa yells over the din.

We’ll see if you’re singing the same tune when I have to drag your frozen ass back into the house.”

“You should be so lucky…”

The first few steps out are shocking, and I check over my shoulder to make sure Isabella gets the door closed. Even with my goggles, I can barely see a few feet in front of me.

Every step is a huge effort, dragging one foot out of the snowpack, clomping it down, waiting to find my footing, and so on. Within a few steps I’m huffing and puffing, sweating under my gear.

Isabella has it only slightly easier, following carefully in my footsteps.

We reach the side of the house, the pole where the wiring meets the house. The entire thing is frosted over, icicles crusting the outside. I try for several seconds to knock some of it loose, but to no avail. My face is aching, my nose feeling like it might blister.

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