Page 5 of Dangerous Attraction

“What’s on your mind?”

Antonio sighed. “Papà is going to have my head for this. He already thinks I’m too young to head an operation.”

“Bullshit. You’re just as capable as me or Vin.” At twenty-six, Vincenzo was a renowned chef in Vegas. Our father had been resistant to his change in career but realized it was another way for the family to grow our empire. The Anastasi family was the largest mafia organization in Las Vegas, which meant we answered to no one.

“You know he’s not going to see it that way. He’ll blame me for not having more men watching the movement of the freight.” Antonio felt like our father blamed him for everything that went wrong, but he didn't.

“Don’t get all self-deprecating yet. Let’s wait on Donny and see what he rustles up. When we find who did this, they’ll pay. Nobody fucks with the Anastasi brothers.”

“You’re right, Fratello.” Antonio stood up, smiling at me. “We willmacellarethem all.”

“You and your need to use Italian. I will let you know if I hear something, you do the same. We’ll bring Papà in on this once we have a lead. Until then, let me handle it and just figure out where the fuck it went.”

“Boss?” Carlisle stuck his head inside my office door. “Sorry, Antonio, don’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s fine.” He stood from his chair. “I need to get back and see about this screw up.” Antonio patted Carlisle on the back as he walked out. “Fino a domani.”

“What is it?” I opened my computer, scanning my emails.

“The girl can be here at eight for an interview.”

I glanced at the clock. “Thirty minutes? Great. I’m going to make some calls. Show her back when she gets here.”

“Will do.”

After he left my office, I tapped my fingers across the keyboard. There had to be something we overlooked with the missing shipment. After sending several emails, I called Vincenzo. While I wasn’t ready to tell my father, bringing Vincenzo in on the matter could help narrow down who took our shipment.

“Bellissimo Amore, how can I help you this evening?” the chipper voice of Kaitlyn, the restaurant’s assistant manager, answered.

“Kaitlyn, how are you this evening?”

“Oh, Mr. Anastasi, it’s been busy. You need Vincenzo?”

Her chipper tone made me smile. “Yes. Is he free to chat for a moment?”

“You know your brother. He’s elbows deep in the kitchen, but I’ll go grab him. Hang on, okay?”

“Thanks.” I listened to the nauseating on-hold music, wondering why he chose the shitty sleep-inducing sound.

His voice sounded gruff and frazzled when he came on the line. “Massimo, what’s the matter?”

“Sorry, Vin, I wouldn’t interrupt the dinner service if it wasn’t important. Are you in your office?”

“Yeah,” he grunted, knowing I didn’t call to shoot the shit. “Didn’t figure this was a social call.”

“We’ve got a problem.” I chose my words wisely. Vin couldn’t just pop over to the club for a meeting, so I had to cover up and still get the meaning across. “Some of the lumber has gone missing.”

“Fuck… really?” Vincenzo growled.

“Donny is asking around about it, but I wanted to let you know in case you hear something.”

“Does Papà know?”

I clicked my tongue against my teeth. “Not yet. I’d like to keep it on the down low until we have more details.”

“Shit, Massimo, he’ll be fucking furious.” I could hear the disapproval in his tone.

“He’s going to be pissed either way. If I wait until I know something more, I’ll have something to give him. Right now, all I can tell him is someone’s made off with our materials.”

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