“We’ll figure things out without it getting to that point.” I circle the island to grab his nape and stare into his eyes until he grasps my seriousness. “What matters is that we’re a unit. You didn’t let me and Sloane deal with the Ghost Sixes without you. We won’t let you stay behind while I deal with my family in Italy.”
He nods and shakes off my hold. “And why do you need me there?”
“Because you’ll reason with me before I end up killing a motherfucker for stepping out of line.”
He shakes his head. “Even if I’m the reason they step out of line?”
“That’s not a we problem we have to worry about.” I pluck a slice of bell pepper from his cutting board. “Now what are you going to feed me?”
“Did I hear something about food?” Sloane enters the kitchen, her hand rubbing her belly. “I’m starving and I feel like I’ll never be full.”
“You’re in luck. Tácito is the chef tonight.”
He escapes to the pantry and returns with one of Sloane’s favorite fruits. Since her pregnancy, we make sure to have a steady supply to feed her craving. While she moans her delight, Tácito whips up a quick meal for us to eat together.
As I look around the table, my heart fills with a fierce flame. I don’t care what their relationship is to me, but if anyone denigrates anyone in my family, not even Don Enzo’s wrath will stop me from teaching them a lesson.
VALENTINO
We arrive at the DeLuca private airstrip in Bari three days before Christmas, and expect to spend two weeks in Italy. As we walk toward the awaiting armored car, the coastal winds brush against our light coats. Although not summery by any stretch, the moderate temperature is almost tropical compared to Colorado’s wintry climes.
“I can’t wait to eat everything.” Sloane rushes toward the first vehicle in the line of SUVs, but I stop her with a hand on her elbow.
“Where’s Ethan?” I ask.
He exits the third car. “Everything is clean. You’ll be in this SUV.” His crew commands a small fleet of Rolls-Royce Cullinans.
I nod and release Sloane, who walks more sedately to the vehicle Ethan assigned us. We aren’t on our home turf, and although it’s been a few years, the assassination of Don Ermanno is still fresh in my mind.
Our first stop is our rental in Polignano a Mare. After our long flight, the forty-five minute drive seems to last an eternity. As we pull up to the gates of the private villa, familiar guards check our vehicles before allowing us to pass.
When we circle the drive in front of the main structure, Ethan exits the vehicle first to confer with the ground team that arrived days ago to sweep and set up the place for our needs.
There are four stone buildings spread across the property. Colorful winter shrubs provide added softness to the Mediterranean landscape.
I breathe the fresh air, not as crisp and biting as in Douglas, but no less refreshing.
“This is an amazing getaway destination,” Sloane observes with wide eyes. “I’m going to do all the things.”
“Before you get too excited, we have to pay our respects to Don Enzo.”
“I thought you said Pierangelo dissuaded Sansone from visiting the don.” Tácito frowns, probably worrying about his reception by the don.
“He did, which is why Sansone and I think visiting Enzo is necessary. There’s something fishy about Pierangelo’s adamant demand for Sansone to show up.”
“Why am I just now hearing about this shady business?” Sloane glares at me and Tácito.
I kiss her wrinkled brow. “Because nothing is certain. You know I’d never put you in danger.”
She shrugs away from me to study my face. “I know that, but you wouldn’t hesitate to piss someone off and paint a target on your back. This time, I won’t be able to have your back.”
I grip her neck and press my forehead into hers. “I never want a repeat of that incident. Never. If that means your ass is sidelined for the rest of our lives, so be it.”
“But Valentino—”
“He’s right,” Tácito says in a tone that causes me and Sloane to draw back and inspect him.
Grim lines bracket his mouth and staring into his eyes is like peering into an abyss. There’s no end, only darkness.