Page 88 of Corrupted Empire

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The knock on the door is barely perceptible. I wouldn’t even have heard it if I hadn’t already been awake. Whoever it is has something important to tell me, but not important enough to wake me up. Interesting.

I get up, careful not to move Alexis too much, and quickly dress. When I slip outside the room, Silvano is waiting for me with a strange expression on his face. He looks confused, almost pained, but also a little happy.

“Good morning, boss,” he says quietly.

“Good morning.” I yawn. “Coffee?”

We head downstairs to the kitchen. Silvano is a little slower than usual, but given the fact that he nearly died a week ago yet has insisted on getting back to work, I don’t hold it against him. Victoria is in the kitchen when we arrive. She’s kneading dough but stops when she sees us, and wipes her hands on her apron.

She gives Silvano a sweet smile. “Back for more?”

I chuckle. So this is not the first time Silvano has gotten coffee this morning.

“You make the best coffee,” he replies. “Can you blame me?”

Victoria laughs and starts to prepare our coffees.

Silvano sits on one of the island stools with a wheeze and rubs a hand over his chest. “Why does nobody talk about how much it fucking hurts to get shot?”

I know what he means. I was shot three times a few months ago, and I still feel twinges of pain sometimes.

“I presume there is something you wanted to tell me?” I ask.

Silvano nods. His gray eyes waver with uncertainty. “Yeah. I got word from the police department this morning that they’re dropping all charges against you.”

“Is that so?” My eyebrows lift. This is excellent news, but my second looks far from ecstatic about it.

“From what I understand through some of my police contacts, certain external pressures have lessened over the past week. Then with Ruby Flint being taken off the case, the department has decided it’s no longer worth their time to pursue.”

“Certain external pressures?” Victoria sets an espresso down in front of me, and I lift it. “I presume you mean the Cartel?”

He nods. “From the sounds of it.”

I take a sip. The bitter liquid is hot and burns my tongue. It tastes amazing though. Victoria does a good espresso.

“You don’t look happy, Silvano,” I muse. “Were you hoping to see me locked up?”

He shakes his head. “Of course not. It’s just that something doesn’t feel right about this. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

The air hisses and crackles with the sound of Victoria steaming milk. I meet Silvano’s silver gaze, and I know we’re both thinking about the same thing—the secret we learned. Felicity isn’t about to let this go so quickly.

“I don’t think we’ll have long to wait,” I tell him, taking another sip of my espresso. “I’d say we’re just about due for another calamity.”

Victoria slides the cappuccino in front of Silvano. He thanks her, and lifts his cup toward me. “Well, at least there’s good coffee.”

I go back to Alexis’ room after my coffee with Silvano. She wakes when I close the door behind me, long lashes blinking open.

“Hey.” She smiles. “Where’d you go?”

“I was just talking to Silvano,” I explain as I crawl up the bed, peppering her with kisses. “The police have dropped their investigation into me.”

“That’s great!” she exclaims. Then she frowns. “That is great, isn’t it? Why the sour mug?”

I chuckle and collapse next to her. “It is great, you’re right. I’m just nervous. I don’t like how Felicity just disappeared.”

“We can be vigilant but still take our wins when we can.” Alexis throws her arm around me, nuzzling against my chest. “Are you sure that’s all that’s bothering you?”

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