That gives me pause. “We bargaining now?”
“Life’s a bargain, Riley. Don’t you know that by now?” He leans in and brings his mouth near my ear. “And for all our sakes, work things out with him.”
I pull back. “He’s forgotten me.”
Tommaso snorts.
“His villa’s overflowing with obedient women.”
He folds his arms across his big body and cocks his head. “Then why are you here?”
I laugh, except it’s bitter, not sweet. “He kidnapped me.”
“If his father learned of your involvement, you’d be dead without questions asked. Believe it or not, this is the best place for you.”
I swallow hard. I never considered his father as a threat. “I’m innocent.”
“Doesn’t matter, Riley. You’re disposable.”
“And Alessandro?” I can’t hide my desperation. “Will he dispose of me, now that he’s moved on?”
“Been waiting for his order.”
Oh, sweet hell. I view Tommaso in an entirely new light. Not only as a fighter, but Alessandro’s problem-solver.
“Four days, right?”
“Yes,” I squeak.
“And he hasn’t said a goddamn word.” His grin catches me off guard. “My advice? Stop hiding and get in his miserable face.”
With that, he stalks off.
Whistling as he leaves me standing here, flabbergasted.
CHAPTER 21
SANDRO
My life has becomea game of dodge-and-evade, with one glaring exception.
Conti’s dodged every attempt to locate him.
Renzo slipped past my men again, this time giving them a scenic tour of the Roman Colosseum.
My father’s been ignoring my calls, which means he’s avoiding the one topic on both our minds—Alessia Amato.
Even Don Lucchese, my godfather and the toughest old bastard I know, is hanging on by a thread, defying every prediction, ghosting death, and prolonging my inevitable fate.
The exception is my right-hand man, deadly enforcer, and occasional best friend, who’s been getting in my face and demanding if I’ve got any specific orders regarding Riley. Like the asshole’s read my mind and is daring me to finally do what needs to be done.
Passing on a hard scene or a good blow job, from a litter of willing women eager to get me off at this late hour, I instead head to the pool to burn off steam. Only to discover it occupied by the woman behind all my recent mindfucks.
I stop dead in my tracks.
She’s drifting in my pool, eyes closed, lounging on a pink flamingo float. The ridiculously tiny black bikini she’s wearing is doing a shit job of covering her luscious curves, and there’s a drink lazily balanced in her hand.
Jesus, the sight of her gets under my skin.