Page 111 of Hot Momosa

“And the others, yes.” I never would have pegged nerdy Julia Carpenter as a corporate spy. “But I don’t think she’s the shooter. It doesn’t add up.”

“How so?”

“Yes, she knew we were looking into Harrison and was at the scene, but why was she calling Enzo’s name? It’s like she knew he and Dahlia were in danger and was trying to help them.”

“Maybe, or maybe she’s got y’all fooled. Either way, I suggest you have a long chat with Miss Carpenter, preferably before N’Awlins’ finest get a hold of her.” He nodded in the direction of Dahlia’s room. “I’m going to say goodnight to my daughter. Until we know what the hell is going on, try to convince her to come to Baton Rouge.”

“I will, and thank you for understanding about Gunnar.”

“Contrary to what you may think, my daughter and grandson’s happiness is and has always been my priority.” He glanced away as if distracted by an errant thought. When he turned his attention back to me, he seemed shaken. “Marriage is sacred, son, and can last a hell-of-a-long time. It should never be entered into for any reason other than love.”

Watching Governor Waylon Calhoun walk away, I had the sense that I’d met the man behind the shiny political curtain for the first time. My heart broke for Dahlia. For the little girl she’d once been and the woman she’d become. The Marchionnis might have been loud and borderline batshit crazy, but we loved each other fiercely.

I made my way back into the waiting room and all eyes turned to me, except Dante. He sat beside Gunnar with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.

The hell?

“What did I miss? Is Enzo out of surgery?”

Shanna shook her head. “Not yet. Leo… About the woman in the video…”

I didn’t have time for this. I needed to come up with a plan and get back to Dahlia. “I thought it was Julia Carpenter, but I wasn’t sure. Why didn’t anyone confirm it outright?”

Nico took a page from my mother’s book and muttered something or another in Italian.

Gabe folded his arms. “She may be going by the name Julia Carpenter, but that’s Francesca Abruzzo.”

The air left my lungs as if he’d sucker punched me. “No. That’s ridiculous. How is it no one recognized her?”

Have I ever met Francesca Abruzzo?

Growing up, I’d heard the name, but she was a good ten years younger than me. Even if I would have run across her, I doubted I would have paid any attention to a little girl.

Sophia, Francesca’s sister, was an entirely different matter.

“Frankie was sent to boarding school in Connecticut when she was fourteen.” Nico sighed as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. “She’s my cousin, but I barely know her.”

“Is she like Sophia?” A murderous, power-hungry sociopath.

“No.” This from Dante, who hadn’t bothered to lift his head.

My mother added, “Frankie was sheltered from the life. As far as I know, she hasn’t been back to Sicily since she was a girl.”

“That’s not good enough. I need to know what the hell she’s up to. She lied to us to get the job. Is it that far of a stretch she’s following in her big sister’s footsteps?” I met Marco’s gaze. “You’re the capo. Make the call. Find her and bring her to the house.”

“You worry about Dahlia and your son and let me worry about the business.” He smirked.

He fucking smirked? The bastard.

“This is my business if she shot Dahlia and Enzo.”

“Mommy got a shot?” Gunnar glanced around, likely having no idea how he’d gone from joking with his grandfather to sitting in a room full of angry people.

My mother gave us a hard look before turning to the boy. “The doctors are taking good care of her.”

“She got a shot?” His voice quivered.

“I don’t think so, but we’ll ask her when she’s all done.”

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