Page 26 of Gin & Trouble

“Truer words.” I didn’t drink much, nor did I have a staff to worry about replacing, but I’d take his word for it.

My job tap-danced on the line between legal business dealings and illegal mob activities. As such, I worked solo in a private IT cave that would make Batman jealous. Writing proprietary code, hacking government systems, and ensuring our international computer networks played nice together was far from glamorous, but it allowed me to keep tabs on our competition and our enemies.

I followed him to the elevators.

Leo pressed the down button and I pressed up to return to my apartment.

What he’d said earlier about being the last two single Marchionni brothers gave me an idea. An idea that had the potential to work out in both our favors. “We should catch the Saints game next week.”

“Absolutely.” He flashed me the first genuine smile I’d seen from him in months before slipping into the elevator.

I didn’t understand what had caused the change in his personality over the previous year, but after our conversation, I suspected it had more to do with Dahlia than the mafia. If I was right, and Leo was lonely, a double date could be just the thing to get him back out there.

And it just so happens, Julia has a single sister.

9

Frankie

“Spit, hair, nail clippings, or blood.”I ranked my options in order of preference, with a used water bottle or glass being my first choice and blood a last resort.

Sophia flopped onto my bed and stared at the water stains on the ceiling. “Or semen.”

“I don’t even know him. And besides, he’s a married man, and possibly our half-brother.” I swatted her foot on my way to the closet.

“A married man who might be the rightful heir to the Abruzzo family and our ticket out of the mafia.” Sophia’s expression grew serious. “This is too important to let your morals get in the way.”

My mouth hung open. “Morals? You’re talking about incest.”

“Fine. When you put it like that…” Her expression soured. “But we’re running out of time. Tommaso has Val.”

Blood whooshed behind my ears. “What do you mean he has her? When did you find out?”

“Mia called a couple hours ago. She keeps in touch with one of the maids at the compound.” She sounded as if we were discussing sports stats—bored and mildly annoyed.

“Is that wise? I thought we all agreed they wouldn’t contact anyone?” Thinking of Valentina under my brother’s control made my stomach hurt.

“Mia does as she pleases.” Sophia shrugged. “Tommaso has announced Valentina’s engagement to Miquel Salvo.”

“Salvo is twice her age and pulls out his enemies’ fingernails as a hobby.”

She sighed. “He’s also a member of theFratellanzaand hates the Marchionnis almost as much as Tommaso.”

I didn’t have time to process the news, nor did I want to risk having a meltdown before the party. Emotions would have to wait. “Regardless, I can get Enzo Marchionni’s DNA without resorting to violence or blow jobs.”

“If you can’t, I will.” She cracked her knuckles like a good little mob enforcer.

“That won’t be necessary.” I didn’t need her to remind me the situation was critical. Unless we found a way to stop it, our sister would walk down the aisle to a man twice her age and a reputation for getting his jollies on torturing people.

Despite what Sophia thought, I could get the DNA without throwing myself at Enzo. I had a plan. A good one.

I took a red and green Christmas sweater from the closet and pulled it over my head. “I won’t be late. I want to be here in case Mia calls.”

She curled her upper lip. “Thank God you aren’t planning on seducing him becausethatis hideous.”

“It’s something Julia Carpenter would wear.” I missed designer labels and makeup and having more than a ten-dollar bill in my handbag as much as she did, but as long as I lived in New Orleans under the alias Julia Carpenter, IT nerd extraordinaire, I had to dress the part.

“Not tonight you don’t.” She pulled her black Versace dress out of a garment bag. “Wear this in case you need to enlist Dante’s help.”

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