Page 36 of Corso DeLuca

SIXTEEN

Corso

Josie’s call to my phone rang on the private line I’d assigned exclusively for Milana’s use. After my abrupt withdrawal, I’m thankful Jessie chose not to follow. Dispatching the rat on my personal staff is paramount, but not in my woman’s presence. I don’t want Jessie to see what I’ll have to become to remove all threats to her and The Governor. But before I deal with the unpleasantries, I’ll do some digging of my own.

“Dani, how will this work?”

The assassin beams at the inquiry, thrilled to share her creative genius with an audience. “Thank you for asking. For a demonstration of my adjustable chair, I would need—”

I cut her off. “Milana can assist you with any additional equipment.”

Dani lifts an arched brow, wondering if she heard the message in the mention of Milana.

“Awesome,” she says, turning to Milana with a smile. She pulls the only chair in the room away from the table. “Please have a seat. This will be quick and painless. I promise.”

My assistant looks to me for reassurance. I give a tight-lipped smile, thinking back to Greg’s puzzle. The one mystery I couldn’t solve.

“Whew,” Milana giggles, “you had me nervous for a second.”

Damn, she’s convincing. Actually, they both are flawless in their execution, but I’m referring to Daniella. If I didn’t know better, I would think of her as a cheery school nurse coaxing a frightened five-year-old to relax before the big needle stick.

Once seated, she quickly secures Milana’s wrists with elastic bands.

“Try to pull your hands free,” Dani prompts. Her professionalism astounds me. Milana twists her wrists, forehead creasing and smoothing. Quickly, she tires from exertion.

“Huh, I can’t,” she beams. “The bands stretch like they will break, but then they snap back together again.”

“Yes,” Dani exclaims. A gold star would be next to Milana’s name if she were in any classroom, rather than with skilled assassins. “These new restraints are designed to exhaust the small arm muscles by providing resistance. It’s nice to be able to work with the jerky disruptions.

Joseph shrugs. “That’s a nice feature, boss.”

“Exactly,” Dani notes. “Can I assist you with removing your shoes?”

Milana wrinkles her nose, hesitant. “Sure, I guess.”

Removing the black pumps and slipping each foot into a separate cloth sack, Dani compliments, “Nice polish.”

It’s then I notice the familiar green of the Esposito family crest.

“Ah, thanks,” an unsuspecting Milana sighs.

“What next?” I interject. She’s having too much fun playing with her new victim.

“This is an opportunity to ask questions. Establish expectations. Lay the ground rules.”

“Ground rules I understand. Milana, I’m going to ask you questions. If you lie to me, Dani is going to continue with her demonstration.”

“Yes, sir. I’m ready to play.”

“So am I,” Dani says. She rounds the table, palming two medium sized metal cages in her left hand, and a larger one in her right.

“Josie NuCalla’s call.” Leaning my hips against the table at my back, I cross my arms over my chest. “It came in on your phone line.”

Milana’s smile vanishes. “Ah, no. That can’t be right.” Her predicament registers, and she starts to flex her bound wrists against the elastic. “There must be some mistake, Mr. DeLuca.”

“Lie,” I growl.

Dani’s tsk draws Milana’s attention to the precious cargo being placed on the barren table directly in front of our rat.