Page 64 of Massimo

He sighs. "That's not the only reason I came by." He looks at Gabe, then back at me. "We need to tell Creed that it's likely Mancini was involved in what happened with Sophie."

"No." I've already made this decision and have discussed it with Vito. "We're making sure Sophie is protected. There's no need to add stress to her during her pregnancy."

"Creed needs to know, Massimo." Vito fists his hand that has scars crisscrossing on the back of it. He has scars all over of his body from his role in protecting our family.

"Mammasaid Sophie had spotting and cramping again yesterday," I argue. "Even though the doctors say the baby is fine, I'm not risking it, Vito."

"Then only tell Creed. He won't tell Triple S."

"Creed will go apeshit about her protection, and you know it. That will be enough for Sophie to suspect something is going on."

He huffs and drags his hand over his close-cropped hair.

"You know I'm right, Vito. You and Raf have added the extra protection for Sophie, over and above what Creed already has. Mancini won't be able to get to her if that's his play."

"Goddammit. I hate keeping this from Creed."

I sigh and rub my forehead. "I don't like it, either, but that doesn't change my decision."

"Mancini has had months to act and come for Sophie," Gabe reminds us. "And he hasn't."

"Still…" Vito shakes his head, frustrated. "This fucking sucks a bag of dildos."

Gabe barks a laugh. "You've sucked a lot of dildos in your day, Vito?"

"Hey, no kink shaming." He kicks Gabe's shin. "And why the hell are you here when Gemma is in town, you big simp."

"Fuck you, dick." Gabe laughs.

Vito snorts and turns back to me. "What's a guy gotta do to get a drink here?"

I don't want to leave Nova in the locked room, but I can't just chase Vito out without him becoming suspicious. It's not that I don't trust him; with the risky work-around I'm doing with our syndicate's vote and decision, it's safer for my family not to know right now. Plus, given Vito's tone and words, I'm not sure how he'd take it if he learned about my plans for Nova before I could implement them.

"Get your own drink. You got theno scalpelprocedure, brother, not a nut replacement," I deadpan. "You know where the bourbon is."

"God, you're such a grumpy motherfucker sometimes." His mouth twitches, though.

"I'll get you one." Gabe claps Vito on the shoulder and goes to the beverage counter and pours him a bourbon with no ice. He brings the red wine over and fills the glass that was Nova's.

"Since when do you drink wine, Gabe?" Vito eyes him as he sits back down.

He shrugs. "Red wine's good for the heart, no?"

"Pretty sure that's been disproved."

"What, you're a doctor now that you got your nuts cut off?" I taunt.

Vito chokes on his drink. "Another joke?" He turns to Gabe. "Who the hell is this guy?"

I relax back in my chair, listening to my brother and best friend banter back and forth, but my mind is mostly on the woman waiting for me in the room hidden behind my bookcase.

Chapter 28

Nova

Istareatthecomputer monitor after hearing Massimo's words.

When I entered this room and the door sealed shut, I couldn't hear Massimo and Gabe. That was until I discovered the monitor on the desk, showing Massimo's office. In a moment of stupidity, I turned up the volume to listen to their conversation.

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