Page 17 of Forging Caine

Antonio’s big hand ran along my thigh, a mark of comfort and support.

“Now, what’s your news?”

Antonio spoke up. “Pasquale Fiori reached out to me. He’s in the area and wants to meet with Samantha and me.”

“Antonio lined up drinks this evening at a restaurant in town—The Train Station—with a private dining room.”

“What time and how private?”

“Nine o’clock,” said Antonio. “The chef’s table is separated from the dining room by a glass wall and overlooks the kitchen. It’s private, but not hidden.”

Elliot hummed aloud. “That doesn’t give me many options, other than to get someone into the restaurant in case something clearly illegal happens. We can’t set up surveillance—”

“Fiori doesn’t have any warrants anywhere?” I asked.

“None.”

I gripped Antonio’s hand. There was something about the two of us being in close proximity that sent the world careening out of control. “Elliot, I have a feeling your team should be ready. Things are going to start happening.”

“It’s about time,” said Elliot. “Stay safe, you two.”

Chapter 7

Samantha

AsIreachedforthe car door to get out at my sister’s house, Antonio gripped my upper arm.

“Un momento.”

I settled back in my seat, but the look on his face wasn’t theLet me open your doorone. It was far more serious.

“What secrets do I have to keep in there?”

There was a hint of accusation to it, pointing out that I shouldn’t hide so many things from my family. I’d spent my entire life squashing as many emotions as I could, focused on my goals and my future. Antonio brought out a different side of me. One that shared, despite the discomfort.

But that didn’t change how little I could tell my family about the things Antonio and I had gotten mixed up in over the last year.

“Just the ones you probably expect. Don’t say anything about Fiori, either here or in Naples. Nothing about Giovanni, Vincenzo, or the entire side trip to Rome. As far as most of them know, we spent two weeks in Naples after New Year’s.”

“It’s a good thing that trip was such a good one. Lots of fodder for discussion.”

“And nothing about Boston or the secret letter we found in your book.”

He nodded. “So, we can speak of Napoli, and that’s about it?”

I let out a sigh. “Except for Nathan.”

Antonio’s jaw tightened. It was slight, but I caught it. “You toldhimeverything?”

He and Nathan had been at odds since before Antonio and I started dating. From the get go, my big brother stand-in saw Antonio as little more than a member of a dangerous family who was caught up in the smuggling ring investigation. We’d cleared that up and all I wanted was for them to find peace.

“Not exactly.” I’d tried to keep him in the dark, along with everyone else, but failed miserably. “He’s one of the prosecutors working with the FBI on the smuggling case, so he reads Elliot’s reports. The write-up about the whole debacle at your uncle’s in January mentioned two confidential informants Elliot had used before. Nathan figured out it was us.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

I shrugged.

“Bella.” He ran his gentle fingers along my jaw, tilting my face so I looked at him. “I’m not jealous of your relationship with him. You know this, sì?”

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