Page 29 of Mario
Lorenzo gestures down the hall. “Before I show you to the office, there is someone I’d like you to meet.”
He leads me, and as we approach an office, a man steps out of it.
Even if I didn’t know him from my research, I would recognize him as a Conti immediately.
Ricardo Conti.
The second oldest brother.
He has the same dark hair and eyes, the same unmistakable Conti structure to his face, though there is something sharper about him than Lorenzo. Less polished charm. More restless energy under a tailored jacket.
He is handsome in the same dangerous family way, but where Lorenzo is measured and businesslike, Ricardo feels like a man who would happily dispose of someone not worth the inconvenience.
“Ricardo,” Lorenzo says. “Victoria Murray.”
Ricardo turns his attention to me.
It is not the same as Mario’s.
Thank God.
But it is still a Conti kind of attention. Direct, assessing, and uncomfortably pointed.
“Ms. Murray,” he says, extending his hand. “Good to meet you.”
“You too, Mr. Conti.”
“Ricardo,” he says.
I shake his hand. His grip is firm, his smile brief but not unfriendly.
“I’ve heard good things,” he says.
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to working with you all.”
“I’ll be available if you need anything from Operations,” Ricardo says. “Lorenzo will handle most of it, but some of the files and department heads fall under me.”
“That’s helpful. Thank you.”
“You’ll probably have questions.”
“I will,” I say. “But I’ll try to make them efficient. I won't bombard you with constant questions.”
“Don’t worry about that. I would rather you ask than feel like you can’t and be overwhelmed.” His mouth curves faintly. “Wouldn't want to scare you off.”
I smile. “Oh, I will. I just meant I'll gather all my questions first and send them over to you in one big haul. I'm not easily scared off,” I add before I can stop myself.
Both brothers look at me.
Excellent. Wonderful.
I have been here for less than five minutes, and already my mouth is writing checks my ass can’t cash.
Ricardo’s smile widens by a fraction. “Good. That will be useful here.”
There is no reason that should sound like a warning. Not at all.
Lorenzo turns smoothly back toward me. “Will your associates be joining you today?”
