Page 70 of Craving Danger

MMM: Of course. Wanted to make sure my girlfriend reached Seattle in one piece.

His girlfriend.

Samantha: I’m probably the only woman on the planet who doesn’t know her boyfriend’s name.

MMM: Soon. I promise. Talk to you later.

I drop the phone on the bed and stare up at the ceiling.

I’m insane. Who dates a man whose face she hasn’t seen?

Me. That’s who.

Chapter 22

Franco

I’ve stayed away from Vitale Health andParadisobecause I don’t want the Slovak mafia attacking me at my companies where innocent people can get hurt.

Working from home, I’m surrounded by an army that’s ready for war.

Dario has converted my living room into his personal office space. Whenever I have to pass through the living room to get to the sliding doors, I almost break my neck, tripping over all the fucking computer cables.

Renzo has practically moved in, and I can’t do a fucking thing without the man breathing over my shoulder.

I’m on a call with Paulie. I sent him to Houston to get information on Todd’s whereabouts.

“About a year ago, he was in a pretty bad car accident,” Paulie informs me. “Apparently, he was released from the hospital two months ago, and no one has seen him since. Word around town is he’s gone to his cabin to recover.”

“Find out where the cabin is and check it out,” I order.

“On it, boss.”

As I end a call with Paulie, I glare at Renzo. “Stop babysitting me.”

“I will once the Slovakians have been taken care of,” he mutters, his eyes locked on the screen of his laptop.

“Christ,” I grumble as I walk out of my office.

Heading through the living room, I glance at Dario. “Find anything new?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. Just the usual bullshit.”

Exiting the house through the sliding doors, I walk to where Marcello is giving orders to the men to search the city for the Slovakians.

“Tell your informants they’ll make good money if they give us a solid lead,” he says to the men.

As they walk away to carry out the job, Marcello turns to face me. “Milo called. The funeral is on Monday. He’s on his way back.”

I nod, feeling a stab of grief. “As soon as he’s here, prepare to leave. I want to go to the truckyard.”

“Yeah, I’m worried about the shipment that’s going out today. I’ve told all the drivers to carry weapons and changed their routes.”

Over the past few years, Marcello has taken on the position of the underboss of the Vitale family. It’s an unspoken agreement between us.

The gates open, and my eyes flick to the SUV as it comes up the driveway. I watch as Milo climbs out of the vehicle before walking to us.

“Everything’s ready for tomorrow,” he says, his face grim from the grief of losing his best friend.

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