Page 65 of Brutal Legacy

I turned from him, ignoring my men’s shocked expressions.

A slow clap sounded, and I glanced up at the stone steps that led into the main house.

Charlotte De Sanctis stood at the top of the stairs, still in her scrubs. She must have just left work. Despite being the new bride of the De Sanctis family, she continued her education and her work at a local hospital. The woman was determined to be the best damn nurse in the country and Renato was determined to give his wife anything she desired. Salvatore hadn’t been wrong. Charlie had tamed the mighty and revered Mafia boss, whether he’d admit to that or not. Though, the taming only related to Charlie herself, and her sister at a push.

“I’m glad you’re home in one piece.” She reached out and hugged me.

Charlie was one of the only women I could tolerate in my space. Renato had chosen her, and that made her my family, too.

“That remains to be seen.” I glanced inside, my eyes following the direction Georgia had gone.

Charlie raised a curious eyebrow at me. “Well, that’s not like you… Also, I’ve never seen you wear those contacts at home.”

I still had the brown contact lenses in. “Get used to them. I’ll be wearing them for a few more days.”

We turned and went into the house together. I had an apartment in Atlantic City, but I stayed often in the main house of Casa Nera. I had my own rooms upstairs. Right next to the blue bedroom.

“Why’s that? Don’t tell me…” Charlie trailed off and looked upward, quickly working out more than I wanted her to. “Areyou hiding who you are? From that woman? The one from Italy?”

I fought not to react, but Charlie still slapped a hand comically over her mouth.

“What?” I grunted at her.

“It’s happening. The untouchable Elio Santori is breaking… She’s someone important to you, right? Oh my God, I can’t believe it. Does Ren know?”

I stared her down, doing my best to quell her curiosity, but Charlie just laughed.

“So, that’s why he sent you to get her.”

“He sent me because I’m the best,” I muttered, knowing it wasn’t the only reason.

Renato seemed intent on making me face my past head-on.Asshole.

She slapped my shoulder. “Sure, he did. I can’t wait to get to know her.”

I shrugged her hand off irritably. “She won’t be here for long,” I warned her.

Charlie just chuckled. “Sure, she won’t. God, men… you’re so funny.” She was still laughing to herself as she drifted away down the hall toward the kitchen, leaving me standing in the foyer, fighting the urge to go and visit the blue bedroom.

“Here.You look like you can use it,” Renato murmured hours later, handing me a glass of whiskey.

I rarely drank, but after the week I’d had, and now, being at home, safe in Casa Nera, I was prepared to indulge.

“The Ravellis are out for blood. I don’t know what their plan is for her — kill her or just hold her and use her to threaten her father — but they’re serious.”

Renato nodded. “I heard that the prosecutor has more on Giuseppe Ravelli than he has over Zio Sal. But she’s here now. And tomorrow, she’ll be married to a De Sanctis man, and Alfredo Bellisario will understand that ratting out Zio Sal will be the end of his daughter.”

“You told Jimmy already.” I fell short of achieving a casual tone with my complaint.

Renato waved his glass at me. “Should I not have? I needed to make sure he’d cut other entanglements before the big day.”

“He doesn’t seem displeased.”

“He wants to make his don happy. Climb the ranks. Also, she’s Italian. I’m sure Jimmy is looking forward to home-cooked food just like hisnonnaused to make.”

I coughed, the whiskey nearly going down the wrong way. “If he’s expecting a domestic goddess out of Georgia, he’ll be sorely disappointed. She had staff growing up, if you recall, and I’ve just seen how she was living… I don’t think she cooks much.”Oreats for that matter.Poverty was a cruel taskmaster, I knew that as well as anyone.

Renato shrugged. “I guess that’s for Jimmy to find out.” He was quiet, rubbing a finger over his lower lip absently, considering me. “I thought about holding off and waiting to see what happened when you brought her here…”

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