Page 29 of Crazed

Ettore steps back. "Come in." We follow him to a sitting room, and he motions for us to sit on the couch. He asks, "Can I get you a drink?"

"I'm okay. Katiya?" Massimo asks.

"No, thank you."

Massimo and I sit on the couch.

Ettore takes a seat in a chair across from us. "So, to what do I owe this visit?"

My stomach somersaults. I worry about what to say, suddenly wondering why I'm doing this. Maybe I should just tell Leo I can't get it and let him do whatever it is he is going to eventually do anyway.

Massimo takes my hand. In a serious tone, he declares, "Katiya has a ring she needs taken apart then offloaded."

Ettore's seriousness matches Massimo's. "I see. And is it safe to assume this needs to be discreet?"

"That would be correct," Massimo replies. He turns toward me. "Katiya, show Ettore the ring."

My gut continues to twist. I put my hand in my pocket and squeeze the ring. For so long, I've wanted to get rid of this. Now the opportunity is here, but I'm questioning everything.

Maybe I should tell Massimo I forgot it at home.

What am I thinking? Of course I can't do that!

I pull the ring out and hold it in front of me. My hand shakes, but I don't know how to stop it.

Ettore acts like he doesn't see my tremors. He picks up the gem, holds it in the air, and studies it. After a moment, he whistles. He drills his icy-blue eyes into mine. "This is quite the piece."

My mouth turns dry. I swallow, and it feels like my throat is cracking.

Massimo squeezes my hand. "Yes. We're aware. Can you take care of it for us?"

Ettore sets the ring on the side table. He takes a few breaths, studying us.

"What is it?" Massimo asks while my nerves escalate.

"Who's the owner of this ring? I need to know so I don't offload it to the wrong person."

Dizziness hits me. I grip the edge of the couch with my free hand. Why did I decide to do this? How stupid could I be? Of course he would want to know the details.

Massimo caresses the back of my hand with his thumb. He answers, "Ludis Petrov."

Deafening silence fills the air. Ettore's eyes sear like fire into Massimo's. The tension increases the longer no one speaks.

Massimo repeats, "Can you offload it?"

"Of course I can."

"So you'll do it for me?"

Ettore sits back in his chair, pinning his suddenly cold orbs on me again. A chill runs down my spine. I attempt not to move or appear intimidated, but everything about this feels off-balance. He slowly addresses Massimo, asking, "Does your papà know you're here?"

Massimo doesn't hesitate. "No. I'd like this to be between the three of us."

Annoyance fills Ettore's expression. He scowls at Massimo. "You bring me Ludis Petrov's ring—and not just any ring. This ring is an heirloom. It dates back to the 1800s."

My pulse pounds between my ears. I jump up and grab the ring, blurting out, "I'm sorry we brought it here. Thanks for your time." I spin to leave the room.

Massimo leaps in front of me. "Katiya, chill out. Everything is okay."

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