Page 39 of Massimo

"You sure about this?"

My jaw shifts, and my eyes harden as I stare across the desk at him.

He waves me off. "I think this is the right course of action. I'm not doubting you, Mass."

"Then what?"

"Then…" He leans forward. "You find out the absolutely horrendous existence she lived under Mancini's rule, and…?" He hikes a brow at me. "What's the play then?"

"Just figure out how to get the information I want."

He grunts and sits back.

"I'll figure the rest out."

Gabe's phone rings, and I finish my drink as he answers it. I've been drinking more than normal lately, so I resist getting more. I need a clear head in case Nova needs me tonight.

Needs me tonight.

My chest clenches, and my dick responds to the thought. I may not have a humiliation or degradation kink, but I'm quite sure I just unlocked a caretaking one.

Gabe frowns as he listens on his phone and lifts his eyes to me. "Ivan Everhart and Sean Finley are outside the gates."

Instantly, I'm on edge. I'm keeping my family away from my house, so no one knows about Nova. The last thing I need are criminals I wouldn't trust to watch a chocolate bar here.

"It's after ten o'clock at night."

"The criminal underworld is a nocturnal beast," Gabe retorts as he hangs up from the phone call, but he looks as pensive as I feel. "You think they're here because of the Chamber's decision about expanding membership?"

"That would be my best guess," I say tightly.

"I don't want you talking to them outside at the gates. You'll be exposed for too long, and if they're a decoy so someone can take a shot at you, there's not much we can do to protect you."

I contemplate refusing to see them. However, that isn't a good option, given what has just happened with Vito and Eden and the leader's vote. I also don't want to appear too secretive because Mancini and others will suspect me of kidnapping Nova.

"I don't want them in the house," I grit.

"I'll get Max to lock Nova's door so she doesn't come down if she wakes up." Gabe looks at me as I stand. "You might want to put on one of your power suits. I'll get the guards to scan Ivan and Sean first, then bring them to the house, but not inside."

I nod, already walking out the door. I hustle up to my room and go straight for my walk-in closet. Reaching behind my head, I pull myT-shirt off, then push down my sweatpants. I quickly dress in a suit with a white button-up, forgoing the vest and tie. Shoving my feet into a pair of Berluti Oxfords, I head back downstairs, smoothing my hair back and ensuring my unreadable Don's mask is in place.

Jerome is up and standing by the door. I notice the bulge of a gun under the back of his sweater.

"Easy, man," I murmur.

His aged face splits into a grin that fades quickly, and he shakes his head. "One can't be too careful. Not when…" He glances toward the stairs.

He's right. Ivan and Sean aren't allies of the Santoros—we have nothing to do with the slime they are. Sean Finley himself isn't that bad; he's a nephew of the powerful Irish mob boss back in the homeland, but he's too much of Ivan's puppy.

I nod at Jerome, who opens the door, and I step onto the front step. Ivan and Sean are arguing with Gabe while the guards stay close.

Putting my hands in my pant pockets, I regard them stoically. "What do you want?"

Ivan's head snaps to me, a sneer on his face. "A fucking drink and a chair inside would be nice."

"This isn't Gilly's or any other bar."

Sean warily looks between us and steps to Ivan's side, who's glaring at me while I remain on the top step. "Why are we being treated like the enemy?" His reddish-brown brows pull together.

---