Page 39 of Dirty Mafia King
“How didn’t I know this?”
I shrug. The asshole thinks he’s privy to everything, doesn’t he?
“Where’s Sandro?”
“Sardinia.”
“Italy? Now?”
My lips thin as I grow impatient with his questions. “He’ll be home for the announcement.”
Dante ignores my mounting frustration. Or is he too stupid to recognize it? “Come to think of it, where the hell did Renzo disappear to?”
My eyes lock on Alessia. “My sons aren’t dogs on a leash. Renzo does whatever the fuck he wants.”
She bites her lip yet gives nothing away. She struggles for a few seconds, then steps forward and offers him her hand. “Nice to meet you, Dante. Mr. Beneventi kindly offered me use of his casita.”
“Kindly,” he snorts, and accepts her handshake. Yet when he withdraws his hand, his expression’s comical. His palm is white, and coated with flour.
Alessia’s cheeks flush pink. “I’ll bring you a wet towel.”
“We don’t have time,” I snap. “My office, now.” I stalk from the kitchen with Dante on my tail.
“I thought we were done with business?” he gripes.
I don’t even grace his question with a lie.
* * *
Nonna approaches me at the kitchen island as I help myself to a second serving of fresh pasta with meatballs. I dislike interruptions, so this must be important.
“What is it?”
“La dolce ragazza … Alessia.”
I pause, serving spoon in the air. “What about her?”
“È sola.”
“Lonely?”
Nonna nods.
Madonna mia. “Sandro returns in a few days. She’ll get over it.” I turn back to my plate, but the old woman still hovers.
“Yes?”
“Ti stai godendo il tuo pasto, signore?”
What the hell? I had an easier time taking a face-punch from a killing machine than surviving first Dante’s and now Nonna’s interrogation. “The sauce is fucking excellent, and you changed the meatball recipe. They’re spicier. I like it.”
“La ragazza preparò i cavatelli e la salsa di pomodoro.”
“Did she?” The image of little Alessia—barefoot, naked, covered in flour, and preparingmydinner—elicits a grin.
“Ha chiesto di aiutarmi a cucinare,” Nonna requests with hesitation.
“I’ve no issue with her helping you cook.”
