Page 85 of Immoral

"Eww. She hated Casey, and he does horrible work," I claim.

Carmine nods. "Yep. So everyone is looking for a new company. If Arianna's as good as you say she is, she's got a huge opportunity."

"She is, but she's also pregnant. I'm not sure how much she wants to take on. You can discuss it with her."

He scans my face.

"What?"

"Is she anything like your husband?"

I swat him again. "Stop it. You promised."

He throws his hands in the air. "Fine. But can he stay back? I don't need his mafia ass breathing down my back."

I hold in my laugh. "Sure."

"And Killian. Have them go stuff themselves at the doughnut table."

"There's doughnuts here?" I ask.

Carmine wrinkles his nose. "Since when do you eat doughnuts?"

I shrug. "They sound good."

He scrunches his entire face. "Ugh. Suit yourself." He leans closer and whispers, "Now, did you hear the real reason Vivian isn't hosting her big bash this year?"

19

Gianni

One Week Later

"Someone hadto have said something about him," I insist. Almost a month has passed since Uberto kidnapped Cara. There's no trace of him anywhere. It's like he magically disappeared into thin air.

Luca lights up a joint, takes a long drag, then holds it out to me. I shake my head as he blows it out. He answers, "No one has spoken about him. Whenever I bring him up, the subject quickly gets changed."

"I want him picked up," I reiterate.

"We're all working on it."

"Work harder. I'm losing my patience," I seethe.

Luca inhales another lungful of smoke. He holds it out again.

Fuck it.

I grab it, mimic his motions, and hold the smoke in my lungs for as long as I can. After I release it, I add, "Every day that bastard lives is another day my wife is in danger."

Luca's eyes darken. "I understand. You have my word that I'm fully committed to finding him. But we should discuss this security issue."

I walk over to the window and stare out at the lawn. Snow covers the grass. The cold air created ice chips around the glass, and long icicles dangle from the bare trees. "Fashion Week starts in a few days. I've called in the Ivanov, O'Malley, and O'Connor security to assist. There'll be more men than needed. Plus, the families are all coming into town for the event. If any extra backup is needed, they'll step in without hesitation."

Surprise fills Luca's face. "The O'Connor boys are back from Ireland?"

"Yeah. They've been here for a few months." I don't add that when they arrived back in town, they helped Dante track down Bridget's rapists. Then they took part when we tortured and killed them.

Luca clenches his jaw.