Page 27 of Dirty Mafia Sinner
Thank fuck Renzo broke out of rehab when he did. “You know a lot about everything yet nothing about what mattersright now. It wasn’t Benny’s men who issued the hits. It was Emilio Conti.”
“That bottom-feeder?”
“Conti’s been planning to kill me for weeks.” My admission’s a festering wound I keep scratching and scratching, my carelessness forming a vicious scar. A reminder of my weakness. A reminder to my father I’m not mafia material.
“Jesus. Stop projecting sad puppy vibes.”
I glare at him with one eye, to little effect.
“Conti is patient and methodical. Look how long it took him to nearly gain control over Atlanta with that stunt he pulled with his uncle? That bastard plotted his move for months. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had men watching you at the casino.”
My fingers curl into a fist. Luckily, my perceptive brother doesn’t notice. I’ll deal with Ciro fucking Cigorelli before anyone, especially my father, uncovers the full truth.
Renzo flips his wrist, glances at his watch, then stands.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I demand.
“Same place he’ll insist you lie low for a while. While he counters rumors and saves face. Can’t have Sebastiano Beneventi’s heir kidnapped and nearly beaten to death. What will the famiglie think?”
It infuriates me that he’s right. That Italy is exactly where he’ll want me. Hiding away like a bitch while he does damage control. I own a villa in Sardinia. A place to blow off steam or get an Italian-style blow job, and more. My playground. My escape. And now, the great Sebastiano Beneventi will ruin that, too.
“You’ll be staying in Sardinia?”
“And stare at your miserable face day and night?” He chuckles. “Fuck, no thank you. I’m not ready to sober up yet.”
I stiffen, imagining Renzo high, untethered, and wandering Rome’s seedy side. Vulnerable. “Conti’s still out there.”
“Father’s men can’t find me. What makes you think that bottom-dweller will do any better?”
“Drugs will rot your brain, asshole.”
“While you, brother, rot your soul for him.”
“Fuck you.”
“And fuck you back.”
I grit my teeth. “You think Sergeant Dickhead was difficult? Wait until I recover, because I’ll personally hunt you down and go cold turkey on your ass. Capisci?”
“Game on, asshole.” He pats my arm. “I hope she was worth what you’re about to undergo.”
Her name’s Riley.
“I’ve my own fires to deal with, so I won’t be sticking around to watch you burn. But I’d appreciate it if you don’t mention to Father I was here.”
I roll an eye. “Are you a moron? His men are all over the hospital.” It’s an assumption based on experience. Sebastiano Beneventi might be the highest-ranking capo next to our godfather, Don Lucchese, but as our father, he’d risk his life to protect us.
“Watch and learn, Sandro. Watch and learn.”
With a groan, I force myself to a seated position, as Renzo heads to a window, pops it open, and disappears.
The Joker and goddamn Flash, rolled into one.
The room falls quiet …almost.
Beep. Beep.
I frantically claw at my chest, which sets the machines off.
