Page 73 of Deception

“Welcome back, Adriano,” I call, trying to sound warm, amicable. It's far from how I feel. I've dreaded this and what it means. Not that I have anything against him personally. Other than the fact that he’s a Diamante.

“Isabella. I hope you're well,” he says, cordial as ever.

“Oh, couldn't be better. Aside from a bit of boredom over the last few days. Got lots of reading done.” Not nearly as much as I thought I would…

He pauses, taking down his goggles and pulling off his mask. A faint trace of a smirk tells me he doubts my claims.

I feel my cheeks flush hot.

Dammit.

“Do you need help bringing anything in?” I press on, hoping he doesn’t see my embarrassment.

“No, no. I didn’t bring much. Vincenzo and the rest of the staff should be back soon with supplies. Alessandro and I can unload the truck later.”

“Sounds good. Feel free to leave your laundry there. I'll take care of it.”

He cocks his head to the side, looking at me strangely.

“Thank you. You don't have to do that.” But I can tell he likes that I offered.

“I have to earn my keep somehow, right?” I smile, heading toward my room.

Adriano quirks his lip in what could be a smile or a grimace. I can't tell. I don't know him well enough, yet.

I putter around the house for a while, trying to decide what to do. Reading, working out. Everything seems bland compared to Alessandro and what we’ve been up to all week.

An hour later, I hear Adriano emerge from his room, showered and refreshed. He heads straight to Aless’s office.

Eager to catch an earful, I make a fair bit of noise heading into the kitchen. There are a few things that still need tidying, excusing my presence.

But instead of wiping down the counters, I sneak back to the landing, pressing myself up against the wall by the office door.

I can always listen to the recording later, but I need information now. I want to know what news Adriano brought with him.

“It looks like the Serpent’s Head is making moves all across the Eastern seaboard.”

“You said they’ve threatened our members all over the world.”

“They have. Ero is still looking into who has been targeted and why.”

“Fucking brazen. Like he has no fear of repercussions.”

“He took us off guard,” Adriano offers.

“Bullshit. I should have been there. I should have gotten in his way more.”

“Like I said. We had no clue.”

“I had a clue. I’ve known that piece of shit my entire life. I should have suspected he was up to something when he disappeared.” Aless slams a fist down on the desk.

“If you would have been there, he would have made another play on your life. I know he would have. Without you there’s no legitimate claim.”

“There’s you.”

“I would certainly put up a fight, but without you everyone would run for cover, he would have us outmanned. He might anyway. Our ace in the hole is that the family has faith in you, Aless. They trust you.”

“I feel like a hack, hiding out here. A fucking waste of time.”

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