Page 89 of Thorns of Blood
The corners of my mouth lifted. She was quick to end it though. “Don’t be smug now, Giovanni. It’s not a good look on you.”
I smirked. “I’m just happy my wife agrees with me, that’s all.”
I checked my phone and scrolled through my messages. Disappointment washed over me, seeing that the one I was waiting for was nowhere to be found.
I had reached out to Nico Morrelli, a Baltimore mobster who specialized in gathering intel, hoping to retrieve the identity of the woman who’d murdered Lia’s baby.
Romeo scrolled through his own device then lifted his head, readjusting his glasses with his index and middle finger.
“I have to say, Romeo,” Lia noted, studying him, “I didn’t know you wore glasses. Makes you look very… distinguished.”
“Don’t mistake me for being any less lethal, Lia,” my brother grumbled. He hated wearing glasses, but sometimes when his cornea flared up, he didn’t have a choice.
She smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Romeo pinned me with a look. “It’s rumored that Kian has a hidden agenda.”
“Don’t we all,” I scoffed. “But we owed him this meeting, and I don’t want to worry about him on top of everything else.”
“Like what?” Romeo demanded. “Things are finally running smoothly. Our position in the Omertà and the Tijuana Cartel is solid. We don’t need to fear him.”
I had yet to tell my family I was getting out of the Omertà. Mateo wouldn’t be happy, but he had options. I didn’t. If Lia’s involvement in the Marabella Agreements ever came to light, the Omertà would demand her death. I couldn’t allow that.
It was the only option, because my wife would always come first.
“We’re doing this, Romeo,” I said as the car came to a halt. I stepped out, buttoned my jacket, and extended a hand to Lia.
A security guard motioned for us to head toward the northern entrance. From the information and surveillance I gathered, this place had four wings, forming a massive rectangular shape.
We entered the hall where a statue with eyes that seemed to look in all directions welcomed us.
“That’s not creepy at all,” Romeo muttered, his posture tense and his palm on his handgun.
We followed the man up the sweeping marble stairs until we reached an office. He stopped, straightening up, before knocking on the door.
“Come in.”
I recognized Kian’s deep voice.
The man opened the door and nodded at me to go in. Lia flicked me a glance before swallowing and stepping inside, Romeo and me close behind.
We found Kian lounging casually in his office, reading from a newspaper. He was wearing a designer shirt and trousers. No jacket or tie—which he seemed to avoid at all costs. His silver hair was styled and his features were sharp.
Kian neatly folded the newspaper, sliding it onto the table, an unusual ring on his index finger that I hadn’t noticed before, and his dark eyes locked on my wife.
Taking his time, he stood up.
“Welcome.” He extended his hand, and I shook it firmly.
He motioned to the sofa, and I unbuttoned my jacket then sat down, acutely aware of Liana’s tense posture as she took a seat next to me, Romeo opting to stand behind us. He was always worried about an ambush.
“Thanks for meeting me.” Kian’s deep voice shattered the tense silence.
“It’s not as if we had much of a choice,” Lia muttered, her gaze discreetly taking in her surroundings, likely memorizing possible exit points.
“There’s always a choice, Liana,” he retorted. “Would you like anything to drink?”
“I’ll take bourbon.”
