Page 102 of Carnal

"Bro, what time's your flight? There's an accident ahead," Flex informs us.

Tristano glances at his watch. "In an hour."

"Okay. I'm taking the long way. Otherwise, we'll be sitting here all day," Flex states.

"Do whatever you need," Tristano orders, then closes the divider glass. His voice softens. "I'm sorry that happened."

"It's not your fault," I insist.

He sniffs hard and clenches his jaw.

Several moments pass before I ask, "Want to tell me where we're going?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"I'm not following," I chirp, just as confused as in the office.

Tristano's lips twitch. "We can go anywhere you want. Name it, and we'll go."

"Am I on a hidden camera reality TV show or something?" I question.

He chuckles. "Nope. But speaking of hidden cameras, we will be doing something discreet."

"Such as...?"

Tristano glances at the closed divider window then back at me.

"What's going on?" I ask again, getting more frustrated by the minute.

He says, "You can't tell anyone what we're going to do. Only Dante, Gianni, and I know."

"Know what?"

He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. "We're taking Massimo's plane."

His admission only adds to my bewilderment. "Instead of yours?"

"Yes."

"Is something wrong with your plane?"

He shakes his head. "No. But Massimo thinks there is."

"Can you get to the meat of this trip? At the rate you're going, I'm going to have wrinkles by the time I learn whatever is happening here."

"But you'll still look sexy as fuck," Tristano claims.

My flutters take off. I place my hands on his cheeks. "Tell me what is going on here!"

His face darkens, and his voice turns serious. "We need to bug Massimo's plane."

17

Tristano

For months,my brothers and I voiced our concerns over Massimo's current girlfriend, Katiya. We're all convinced she's an Abruzzo and playing him. She was even involved in my sister Arianna's kidnapping. As time has passed, Massimo's gotten increasingly sketchy. So Dante, Gianni, and I decided to have him followed.

It's a strange feeling to even consider my brother could betray us, but he's changed, growing more and more attached to Katiya and not listening to anything we have to say. Plus, he always seems to be hiding stuff, which isn't like him.

---