Page 25 of Dangerous Attraction

MASSIMO

Watchingmy youngest brother crumble with emotion was not something I’d prepared myself for. Vincenzo pulled him from the ground, righting him to stand.

“We’ve got you, Fratello.” He smoothed Antonio’s hair back, glancing at me and Catarina for guidance.

“Antonio,” I pressed my hand against his shoulder, “I’ve already called the pilot. He is going to have the plane ready in the morning. We can leave first thing.”

“What about the other issue?” His voice cracked with emotion.

“Stop worrying about everything, Antonio,” Catarina smoothed her hand over his hair. “Let Massimo worry about that, okay?”

“I’ll put Donny on it. He’ll handle it until we return. Once we know Grandfather’s status, I’ll return with Vincenzo. You’ll remain there with the family.”

“I should be here. It was my guy who sold us out.”

“We didn’t know he was a snake. Even Alec missed it in his background check. I’ll take care of it, Antonio. You need to be there with Father, in case…” My eyes cut to Vincenzo’s. He knew what I was saying. I didn’t think my grandfather was going to make it much longer. I was preparing to take my place as the head of the family here in Vegas.

Leaving them at Antonio’s, I drove Catarina home. Vin insisted on staying with Antonio, worried about our brother’s state of mind. He struggled to find his place in the family’s succession. My grandfather had been the one to build him up, reminding him he was an Anastasi. We both feared this would tear down his spirit, pulling him away from us again.

“I’ll be ready to leave in the morning.” Catarina smiled as she stepped out of my car. “I’ll get things squared away here and call you later.”

“Okay, Cat. I’ll send a car for you in the morning.” I watched as my sister hurried into the hospital emergency room.

“Donny,” I barked into the phone. “Meet me at the lumberyard.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The line went silent. Donny never asked why, he just showed up for me. That’s why I made him my right hand. He wasn’t just the muscle of the family. He was the one person I trusted without hesitation, who didn’t share my blood. We were more than boss and enforcer. We were best friends—had been since grade school.

Pulling into Anastasi Construction, I parked next to Donny’s truck. I knew he’d beat me here. Hell, he was probably already here working on our problem. That’s how he was. He didn’t stop until the problem was solved.

“Boss,” he grunted, walking toward me as I shut my car door.

“We have a problem.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “More trouble from Juan Carlos?”

“No, thank God. It’s my grandfather.” My voice wavered with emotion. “He’s not well, and I’ll be leaving for Sicily in the morning. All of us will be, so I need you to be in charge while we’re gone. I know it isn’t the ideal time to disappear, but life doesn’t work that way.”

“Is he going to be alright?”

I glanced off into the sun, thinking about my grandfather. Donny first met him when he was just a boy. My grandfather saw greatness in Donny and told me he’d make me powerful. He was right.

“My father will arrive there in a few hours. I don’t intend for him to return other than to tie up loose ends.”

Donny knew what that implied. “The time has come, then.” He clapped me on the shoulder and tugged me into a hug. “Whatever you need…”

“Good. I need you to pick your best guys. Put them here in the construction yard. Antonio will stay in Sicily for a while.”

“I figured he wouldn’t take this well. What about Catarina?”

Donny had looked after Catarina since we were kids. She always followed him around as a kid, but now they couldn’t be in a room without wanting to kill each other.

“She’s better than Antonio, but we all knew he’d be the one to take this the hardest.”

“Anything you need, let me know. You’re family to me.” His weary expression reminded me he thought of Grandfather as family, too.

“Thank you. Just figure out who took our guns and hold down the fort while I’m gone.”

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