Page 122 of Carnal

"I don't care. Call him," I order, then take a mouthful of beer. I turn and glare at Pina.

She shakes her head. "Massimo. I'm begging you."

"What's it going to be, Tristano?" he threatens.

"Tristano," Pina pleads.

It's only a month.

Too long.

I'll make her promise me again that she won't back out this time.

I cave then pin my eyes on Katiya. "I'm sorry for being rude."

She offers a tiny smile. "It's okay. I promise you, I hate the Abruzzos as much as you do."

Pina reaches for my hand and squeezes it. I glance at her, and my heart hurts for too many conflicting reasons. I clench my jaw and stare at Massimo. "Put the phone down."

"Tell me you won't have me followed anymore," he repeats.

"Fine," I agree, but I'm ashamed I did it in the first place.

He drops his phone on the mattress. "How long were you following me?"

"A few months."

"A few months!" he seethes.

I hold my hands in the air. "Easy."

Massimo demands, "So the person following me wasn't an Abruzzo? It was our men?"

"Luca, actually," Pina mumbles.

"What? You had Luca on me? Are you kidding me?" he explodes. Luca's our cousin and one of our best men. He's usually reserved for the toughest jobs.

I jump out of my seat. "You would have done the same thing. You weren't acting rationally."

"Fuck off," Massimo hurls.

Tense silence fills the air.

Katiya questions, "How did you know Leo wanted me to find out info about your contacts?"

Pina scoots her chair closer. "Tristano got it out of one of his men."

"Who?" Katiya asks.

"Tommy," Pina answers.

Katiya gapes. "He told you? No way!"

"He didn't have a choice. Tristano made him," Pina informs them.

Massimo accuses, "You shooting your mouth off?"

It's not something I can deny. Pina knows things she shouldn't because of Dante and now me. Still, I hurl, "Shut up."

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