Page 4 of Depths of Obsession
And I give a fuck what’s helpful?
My phone rings, making me glance up at Pippa, who waits with an expectant look on her face.
I answer. “What do you want done? By the way, you arenoton speaker.”
Renzo’s sigh communicates so much an unspoken thought:You know as well as I do that getting rid of Gazzago wasn’t that simple. His contacts are excellent.“There’s a rumor Gazzago has deep connections in the families.” What my brother isn’t saying is that Gazzago also might have connections in the realm of magick, or so we all have heard. “A rumor I couldn’t confirm or refute. Let’s just deal with this shit.”
I glare at Marcello and then Pippa. This is the last place I want to be right now. I had been on the way to one of my clubs about to enjoy some one on one time with a very flexible waitress.
“Give me a minute.” Renzo goes silent. The truth is Renzo lets people think he’s a little intimidated by Gazzago—it keeps the peace and makes it easier for him to do business with some of Gazzago’s contacts. It also keeps the old guard, of which Gazzago is a member, happy. As long as they think one of them can challenge Renzo then they feel vindicated not bothering to do it.
Gazzago runs the hotel laundry services and a lot of the booze in Milano. He also moves small amounts of drugs and guns. His network is why Renzo kept him around. As long as Gazzago stayed out of our way, Renzo was content to let him be, against my advice. But this... this is going to cause trouble. Gazzago will demand retribution. I have to find a way to keep Pippa out of it.
“I don’t think we have a choice.” I grind my teeth. “I can get rid of the body, but Gazzago isn’t going to let this go.”
Renzo sighs, the weight of the situation seeping through our connection. “No, he won’t. I’ll reach out and tell him where to find his cousin. You stay there with the dumb fuck gallery owner. Tell Pippa to go home.”
Great just what I want to do. Babysit this asshole.“Fine, but if there’s trouble I’m handling things my way.”
Renzo pauses, and despite being on the phone with me, he blasts his frustration to me mentally. Out loud, he says, “Agreed. I’ve been willing to give Gazzago some latitude, but I’m not putting up with any more stupid shit. I’ll work out some kind of recompense for his cousin and let you know what we agree to.”
“Fine.” I don’t have Renzo’s patience for this shit. How do you figure that kind of shit out? What does one dead cousin cost?
“Luca, make sure Pippa’s okay. Mia won’t forgive me if anything happens to her, and I really don’t have the energy to deal with that.”
A quiet laugh escapes me. If someone had told me a few months ago that Renzo would be worried about what his wife thinks I would’ve told them they were full of shit. But here he is, afraid of dealing with his wife. No way in hell would that work for me. I think Renzo is spending too much time around humans. He’s forgotten how to be a vampire. Although to be fair, Mia is something special…for a human.
“No problem. I’ll keep her safe.” I disconnect my end of the conversation.
A split second later, Renzo blasts me with his final thoughts telepathically.That includes from you. Don’t get involved with her. We don’t need her finding out our secret and I don’t need to hear all about how you broke her heart. I do not want my life fucked up because you couldn’t keep it in your pants. Pippa is off limits.
I ignore my brother and break the mental connection. I don’t need to be lectured to. I gave my word I would stay away from Pippa ages ago, at that first dinner. Looking back, it was a stupid thing to do because of all the women I could have, Pippa is the one I want the most. And now, she’s even further off limits. My word should be good enough for my brother. Also, Renzo isn’t the only one who warned me off, although he doesn’t know that. The fortune teller at Renzo’s engagement party was clear. Pippa is bad news for me and my family.
I stand and turn my glare on De Carlo. “You and I are going to stay here until Gazzago’s men come to pick up the body.”
“What the fuck?” De Carlo snarls, his voice rising with panic. “Why the hell would you tell him?”
I smile coldly, knowing the expression never reaches my eyes. “You wanted to send a message. This is how you do it. You have to face the consequences. Gazzago is entitled to bury his own.”
De Carlo sags against the wall, his bravado crumbling. “I... I have a dinner I can’t miss. You’ll have to deal with this.”
I’m on him in a flash, shoving my forearm under his throat and pinning him against the wall, cutting off his air. His eyes bulge as he struggles, and I lean in, my voice a low deadly growl. “You’re not going anywhere until I say so.Capisce?”
De Carlo’s face turns a shade of blue under the fluorescent lights, and he nods desperately. I ease my arm away, letting him collapse back against the wall.
Turning, I meet Pippa’s gaze. “Go home.” The last place I want her is here when Gazzago’s people show up. If things go sideways, I want to be able to go full vampire on Gazzago and his men. De Carlo will be collateral damage, but I can’t kill Pippa, and I can’t have her find out I’m a vampire. If finding a dead body makes her run at the mouth, seeing me suck the blood out of her boss will push her over the edge. Plus, I just promised my brother. Hands off no matter how sexy she looks when she’s scared. I need to stay a safe distance away from this woman or I might not be able to control myself.
Pippa stares at me for a moment, then gives a slow, reluctant nod. She starts toward the door, then hesitates, glancing back. “I don’t suppose there’s any way to keep my father from finding out?”
I raise an eyebrow. What am I, her babysitter? Not up to me to keep her secrets.
She sighs heavily. “I thought not. Well, fuck,” she mutters, more to herself than to me, as she walks toward the exit. “I have to pack up some stuff,” she says. “It will take a bit.” I step aside, giving her space to pass, but she suddenly pivots, balls up her fist, and drives it into De Carlo’s solar plexus. He crumples to the floor, gasping for breath. “That’s for dragging me into this mess, asshole,” she snaps, and then she lifts her foot like she’s going to kick him but then glances down at her shoe and mutters, “Not worth wrecking my Louboutins over.” She turns and disappears down the hallway to the front of the gallery.
“Don’t take too long,” I growl after her. A grin tugs at my lips as she lifts a one-finger salute over her shoulder and disappears. That was unexpected, but definitely entertaining. I can’t help admiring her fiery spirit. It doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes, too. To be sent to look after her without being able to touch her, well it’s a special kind of hell all unto itself. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t want any other man taking care of her, not even one of my brothers. I will make sure she’s safe, but I will not touch her. That’s the deal I make with myself. I can protect but not touch.
De Carlo groans as he struggles to catch his breath, and I fight the urge to punch him again just for the satisfaction. It’s going to be a long night, and I could use the amusement, but beating him senseless would only piss me off more. Besides, Gazzago deserves that pleasure. And I deserve the pleasure waiting for me at my club. I sigh.
“I’m going,” De Carlo mumbles, gesturing weakly toward the office.
