Page 37 of Corso DeLuca

“What’s your connection to Mattia Esposito?” I question, though I think I know. She’s pale skinned, her features more Southeastern Europe than Italian, but… her nose.

The captive let’s out a nervous laugh. “Please release me now.”

I regard my assistant. “Lie by omission. If I were in your seat, I’d answer my question.”

Dani ceremoniously peels away the cloth drapes, revealing her pets. Three sewer rats, with brown tails longer than my hand from finger to wrist.

Damn, Dani. Rats for a rat.

“Interesting fact,” my creative killer offers, “it’s a myth that rats love cheese. Nuts and berries are their true soul food.”

Milana gasps. She wrenches against her bindings, yelping in discomfort the more she struggles.

“Okay. Okay. Wait!” she yells. “Mattia and I have the same father, alright,” Milana says in a rush. “In exchange for me infiltrating the DeLuca organization he’ll recognize that I am his sister by blood. I’ll become an Esposito. Take my rightful place in the family.”

Shit, is this how Greg felt before our father brought him into the family?

Beep. Beep. Beeepp. Beeeppp.

I tense at the alarm signaling an emergency exit is open. More rats have entered the building. A thrill snakes down my spine at the possibility of disposing of Mattia Esposito forever. Cutting the head off the snake will cripple the smaller organization. But, how much of the organization does Jessie’s sister oversee?

Milana starts to cackle, the sound loud and dubious.

“Mattia is here,” she cheers. “Get ready to watch your stupid FBI agent on Mattia’s leash, controlled by her sister. I’m going to watch my brother drink your blood, Corso.”

“Not today.” I nod at Dani to proceed. With gloved hands, Dani has the first rat suspended in the air by its tail and a bag of dried fruit in the other.

Standing to my full height, I point. “Both feet. Save the largest one for her face.”

“No. No.” Fear heightens Milana’s ashen skin to a blotchy red. “No,” she starts to plead.

The door bursts open.

“Corso, they know about the bedroom tunnel. Is—”

Jessie stumbles to a halt at the scene in the room, her feet stopping, but her mouth going strong.

“Oh fuck. Rats.” She blanches.

Dani looks at an immobilized Jessie before focusing on me. With the slightest tilt of her head, she’s questioning whether I want her to continue.

“Finish it,” I snap, taking a wide-eyed Jessie by the elbow.

“R-u. Are you torturing your assistant with rodents?”

“She is Mattia’s sister,” I say calmly, closing the door on Milana’s ear-piercing screams.

She nods. “Okay. Hence the rats.”

SEVENTEEN

Jessie

I run to keep pace with Corso’s long strides. We’re back in the hall of mirrors. Abruptly, he stops, and I plow into his big back. Reaching behind him, he uses one arm to mold my front to his back. I look up to find him studying me from over his shoulder. He places one finger to his lips. Rather than verbally reply, I nod in understanding.

“House,” he says aloud. “How many heat signatures are in the tunnels leading to my quarters?”

“One hundred in total, Corso,” comes a disembodied voice in stereo.