Page 38 of Savage Union
CHAPTER 12
Rina
The soundof the elevator arriving pulls me from my book. I've been restless all day, pacing the penthouse, checking my phone obsessively for messages from my mother or Sofia. The conversations we had yesterday left me with more questions than answers, especially about the Irish. I need to find a way to contact Liam, to explain what happened, but how? Every call I make is probably monitored, every text potentially read.
I close my book and stand as Vito emerges from the elevator. He looks different tonight—something in his expression less rigid, his movements less predatory. He's carrying a large garment bag draped carefully over one arm.
"Good evening," he says, the formal greeting still strange coming from the man who shares my bed yet barely speaks to me.
"Hi." I cross my arms, immediately defensive. When Vito is polite, I get nervous.
He walks toward me, stopping at a respectable distance. "I've made arrangements for tomorrow."
"What kind of arrangements?" I ask warily.
"Lunch. With your mother and sister." He says it casually, as if offering me the moon wrapped in ribbon.
I blink, certain I've misheard. "What?"
"You heard me. I've arranged for you to have lunch with your family tomorrow." He drapes the garment bag over the back of the sofa. "At Eleven Madison Park. Private room."
My heart leaps before suspicion dampens my excitement. "Why?"
"Does there need to be a reason?" He loosens his tie, a surprisingly human gesture.
"With you? Always."
The corners of his mouth twitch—not quite a smile, but something. "Consider it a gesture of goodwill."
"Since when do you care about goodwill?"
"Since my future wife requires it."
I roll my eyes and try and find something wrong with the gesture, just because that’s who I am. “Eleven’s a little early for lunch.”
He almost chuckles—almost. “Eleven Madison Park. It’s the name of the restaurant. Lunch is at twelve.”
I twist my lips before mouthing “oh.”
He moves toward the bar, pouring himself two fingers of whiskey. "Would you like a drink?"
The casual offer throws me further off-balance. I shake my head, then gather my courage to press my advantage while he seems amenable. "I'd like my cousin to be there too. Elena."
Vito takes a sip, his eyes watching me over the rim of his glass. "The Messina girl? Your mother's brother's daughter?"
I'm surprised he knows the connection. "Yes."
He considers this for a moment, then nods. "That's fine. I'll have Dante make the arrangements."
Just like that? No argument, no demands, no conditions? "What's the catch?"
"No catch." He sets his glass down. "Dante will accompany you, of course. Standard security protocols will be in place."
"Of course," I echo, still trying to process this shift. "Why are you doing this?"
He studies me for a long moment. "You've been cooperative. More or less. This is a... reward."
"I'm not a dog performing tricks."
