Page 14 of War Within
The crowd was now gone. Luca, Nick, and Indigo remained close, while Genevieve and Celia sipped on cocktails at the bar, waiting patiently. I made sure I maintained a visual on those I cared about just in case. Being too careful was never overkill.
“What brings you to New York without warning?” I crossed my arms. “It’s never a good thing when you show up.”
“Ouch, Rovati.” Chuckling, he grabbed his chest. “I'm afraid it's not good news as you already suspect.”
Arching a brow, I tilted my head mildly.
“Have a seat.” He gestured at the couch. “Please.”
Luca slid to the end. I sat in the center. Luigi took a seat in a chair. Only a silver and blue coffee table separated us. I lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply.
“I just want your family to be careful and safe.”
Cocking my head, I stretched my arm on the back of the couch. “You know I appreciate you coming all this way, but just to tell me that makes me skeptical.”
“Well, I know you'd do the same for me.”
“Yes, of course, but a phone call would have sufficed. You know something, don’t you? What’s going on?”
“News travels fast. You know our world is small. I’m concerned for your safety after the gala.”
“My guys took them out in private.” I smirked, inhaling another drag of my cigarette.
Luca coughed slightly as the smoke lingered in his face.
“Mr. Greco, offered to handle the cover story for the innocent bystanders, yes?”
Nodding, I glanced at Luca briefly. “Yes, Valentino is good that way. We go way back.”
“I don’t think it’s over, Giovanni. You need to be extra vigilant, please. We will always have your back, but if New York loses you, it will be a great loss for Chicago as well. You are our friend and associate.”
“I’ll be fine. I have a plan.” I dropped my cigarette butt in Luca’s drink.
His eyes expanded as he set his glass on the table slowly, curling his lip in disgust.
“If you need us to help, let me know.” Luigi bowed his head.
We stood simultaneously, shaking hands.
“I'm sure with all our connections, we’ll figure this all out soon enough.” He crossed his arms. “I just have a feeling this may be bigger than we both think.”
“I’ll look deeper into it.” I slid my hands in my pockets, chewing the inside of my bottom lip.
Ahhh. My eyes burned as I cracked them open to the hum of the phone.No. Go back to sleep. I longed to see the back of my eyelids once again as I stretched, delaying answering the call.
The buzzing stopped for a moment but echoed once more. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed it off the nightstand. It was then, I realized I was sore from having hit Mr. Rovati’s muscular body the previous night.
Hello?
Hey you!Lily greeted me way too cheerfully.How are you this morning?
Besides my giant headache, I guess not too bad.
Are you ready for brunch?She snickered. How was she always both a morning and night person?
Sunday already, huh?
You know it!
