Page 19 of DeLucas After Dark

Silence meets his question.

With a disgusted scoff, Sansone directs them to leave. I watch as five men file out. One wipes the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief while the others shuffle nervously away.

“Fratello, I know you’re out there. Come in and shut the door behind you.”

“Am I allowed to ask what that was about, and will I need to run interference?” I walk over to the sitting area Sansone points me to and wait for him to join me.

He gathers the papers on his desk into a folder and meets me. “I have a security breach.” He hands me the file. “You probably wouldn’t have noticed since you just returned from your second honeymoon, but this is the second time I’ve moved since your wedding.”

I frown at him before opening the folder. Inside, a lot of photos stare back at me. The images capture him on the streets of Douglas, but more concerning are the pictures of him in Giulio’s mansion, another home that looks familiar, and here. They’re all candid shots, and close range.

“What the fuck?”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” Sansone retrieves a golf club he uses when he needs to think things through. Although he doesn’t partake in the sport, he says swinging it helps relieve his mental blockage and loosens his muscles.

“There’s someone fucking with me, and they’re doing it at the worst time. No one seems able to find where the photos are coming from or where the fucking cameras are.”

“So did you ask me here to get my security to look into things for you?”

“No, actually. But I will take you up on lending Ethan to me if you were going to offer.”

“Of course, you know I won’t let anyone fuck with you anymore than with Tácito or Sloane.” I continue rifling through the pictures, wondering if I’ll spot something that will help. “But if it isn’t Ethan you wanted to ask for, why’d you call me here?”

Sansone sits at the edge of the table before me and lowers his voice. “Have you heard of Pierangelo?”

I lean back and fold my arms.

“He’s part of the Bari arm of the organization.”

“Sorry, I’m not familiar with him. You know I have limited contact with our distant cousins since I’ve stepped away from the business. The only Bari DeLuca I recognize is Enzo and Stefano. They’re the only ones that can sanction my ‘permanent’ retirement or pull me back into the game at any time.”

“Enzo would never put a hit out on you. You’re too loyal, and your role as the mayor gives us a fuckton of privileges we would have to pay a fortune for.”

“So you’re saying I’m cheap? Maybe we should renegotiate my compensation.” I grin, making Sansone fake an attack with his golf iron. I raise my hands in mock fear and share in the laughing reprieve.

When Sansone settles down and all humor disappears from his face. “I need a favor, and it’s big.”

I throw the file of photos on the table. They fan out to touch Sansone’s hip.

“I’m listening.”

“I need you to represent me in Bari over Christmas.”

“Sansone…”

“I know! You and Sloane have a ton of festivities to oversee as Douglas’ mayor and First Lady, but I have to end this shit now.” Sansone points to the file I discarded. “Whoever this person stalking me is can get to me despite my security. Right now, I don’t believe they’re working with our enemies, but if they get wind of the situation and find them before I do…”

“Sloane’s pregnant.”

“What?”

“Yeah.”

Neither of us mention the child he has yet to meet. After receiving the mysterious text from an untraceable phone, Sansone hasn’t found the child’s mother. The last time I brought up the topic, he lashed out, angry and frustrated by the situation and his powerlessness. Even now, I’m not sure how he’ll take my news.

“Well, fuck! Congratulations Val! I’m going to be an uncle.” Sansone says with awe, completely forgetting the conversation at hand.

I release the breath I’ve been holding. “Yes, she’s going to be a mom, and I’m not willing to travel to Bari without her.”

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