Page 49 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
“How would I keep an eye on her?”
Dem smirks. “Because I’ll ask Garzolo to host you. He can’t say no. We’re cousins, so you’re his family now. Distant, but it still counts. It would be extremely fucking rude of him to send you to a hotel after you bring his daughter back to him. I’ll tell him we want to get to know our American partners better so that we can get comfortable with expanding our relationship.”
Vale appears to think it’s a brilliant idea. Her face softens with relief. “I’ll feel a lot better if there’s someone in New York keeping an eye on her. Maybe that bruise really is from Pilates, but if you go with her to New York, you’ll be able to find out what’s going on.” She glances at her phone. “Cleo just messaged me. I have to go back there. Let me know what you settle on.”
She leaves, and I move away from Dem to pace the kitchen.
This is a lot to take in. I have no fucking idea how I’m going to do what Dem wants once I get to New York. I’ll be on my own there. Dem and I have pulled off a lot of insane plots together, but he was always the one conducting the show.
“So what do you think?”
Uncertainty inches along my skin. But what am I supposed to say? Whine about how I’m worried I’ll fail? I’m a damn underboss now. Refusing isn’t an option. Not when Dem’s got that determined look in his eyes that says he fully trusts me to do what needs to be done.
I’ve never disappointed him, and I’m not about to start now.
Dem must see the decision reflected in my expression, because he smirks. “Didn’t Garzolo invite you to see how he runs things during one of our meetings?”
I huff a dry laugh. “Yeah, he did.” Pretty sure he didn’t think we’d be so quick to take him up on the offer.
“He can’t very well take back his invitation now.”
I rake my fingers through my hair. “I guess you’re right.”
“Then it’s settled,” Dem says.
“Fuck. All right. I guess I’m going to New York.”
Dem comes around and slaps my back. “Good. Just remember one thing, Ras.”
“What?”
“Be careful around Gemma.”
I bristle, feeling very defensive all the sudden. Am I that obvious? “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Dem’s gaze pierces through me. “I’ve seen how you look at her. Just remember that she’s engaged to a don, who also happens to be our business partner. There are plenty of other beautiful women in New York in case you get lonely. I’m counting on you and I don’t want you to lose focus.”
A heavy weight solidifies inside my gut. The fact that Dem even feels the need to say this is a problem. Of course I’m not going to lose focus.
“I know what I’m doing,” I tell Dem.
But I’m not sure if I’m trying to reassure him or myself.
CHAPTER11
GEMMA
I’m clutchingthe sides of the toilet as I violently heave into the white ceramic bowl.
My skin is crawling, and everything aches. I’m somehow blazing hot and ice cold.
Despite my body’s efforts, barely anything’s coming up. Someone’s holding my hair back. I have no idea who it is. Moments ago, I woke up, my stomach clenched, and I flew off the bed in the general direction of the bathroom. There was no time to even register the time of day, let alone anyone in my vicinity.
It’s Cleo, probably. If it was Mamma, she wouldn’t be this quiet. Every time I’ve ever been sick, she’s made sure to let me know it was my fault.
My knees press painfully against the cold tile floor while my entire body trembles. There’s a vague awareness of having been in this position before. It feels like muscle memory.
What day is it?
