<b>90 </b>


    “There he <b>is</b><b>, </b>going around with all these suspicions without solid proof. I’m finally starting to understand how he must feel.” That, and how Caterina seems determined to look after me—the way she does with him.


    “Speaking of which, have you reviewed the list of names Ipiled<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    If my head doesn’t fucking explode, it will be a miracle. I walked into this room feeling good, energized, confident. All it takes is a catch–up session to remember how overwhelming the past few weeks have been. Caterina or no Caterina, I’ve got enough on my te to make any man want to throw in the towel.


    I made her a promise. I’m going to find out who killed her mother only hope she isn’t in a hurry, since at least a dozen possible culprits could’ve had reason to send a message to Charles.


    “I scanned the names,” I confirm. “And I’d like to set up meetings. Only this is touchy<b>, </b>so we can’t make too much noise<b>, </b>or word might spread that I’m digging.”


    “You realize one of those names was Salvatore Costello.”


    “I’m not bringing it up to the kid today,” I grunt, shaking my head. “That’s not how Sal operated. We both know that.”


    “From where I’m sitting, it seems sort of obvious,” Roger insists. The first deal you struck with him was <b>six </b>months before that ident. He could easily have gotten jumpy, worried he was dealing with a man with a target on his back. Maybe don’t dismiss it out of hand.”


    Even though I can’t picture it, I see what he’s saying. “What would Sebastian know about it? He was a kid, only a little older than Tatiana. He wouldn’t have the first idea.”


    “I don’t see the harm in asking him to dig around, see if he knows anything. Approach it like you’re asking a friend for a favor. Make him feel important, and feed his ego.”


    My phone buzzing couldn’t havee at a better time, because otherwise, I’d have to remind him who’s boss around here. He takes the opportunity to leave–the expression on his face tells me he’s relieved.


    Seeing Caterina’s name on the phone immediately makes my heart swell. “Is everything alright?” I ask as soon as I answer the


    call.


    Her gentleughter soothes my worry. “And hello to you, too.” Her slightly husky voice makes my cock twitch expectantly.


    “I didn’t expect you to call. Don’t tell me they ran out of mimosas at brunch.”


    “Oh, you’d hear screaming in the background if that was the case.


    “So what’s going on? Is she alright?”


    “Yeah, she just got up for a minute. I wanted to let you know she seems to be fine. We might go for a movie after this.” Considering my daughter won’t entertain the idea of going to a doctor to talk about her trauma<b>, </b>the best I can do is clumsily try to make her happy–and the same goes for her best friend.


    “So long as she’s enjoying herself. And thank you,” I add. “She’s been so much better these past few days, and you’re the reason why.”


    “I pray you’re right.”


    “When you get home,” I murmur, “you should stop by my office. I didn’t get to <b>see </b>you before you left, and I want to get a look at whatever cute outfit you’re wearing right now,”


    “Why do I feel like you’d rather get a look at me without the outfit on?”


    “The dirty mind on you,” I murmur, chuckling, even though that’s precisely what I had in mind.


    “I better go. I think she’sing back.” She ends the call before I have the chance to say I love her. I can tell herter. I have the


    rest of my life.


    That list of names is at the forefront of my mind, and I pull up the file on myptop while waiting for Sebastian to show up. I don’t normally like taking meetings over the weekend especially how that I have someone much more interesting here <b>at </b>home—but I have kept Sebastian waiting long enough. I do want to solidify our rtionship. That means making good on my promise to give him a percentage of what we recovered, thanks to is helpful tip.


    I remember every single one of these deals, and off the top of my head, I can’t recall anyone being dissatisfied or evenining about the grief Charles was giving me at the time. I never considered him much of a threat, and it would surprise me to think any of these hard–bitten, experienced men balking over a single detective asking too many questions.


    Stranger things have happened. Here I am, in love with his daughter. I couldn’t have predicted that.


    I’m arranging names in what I think is the order of their likelihood of being the perpetrator when Roger’s footsteps ring out in the hall. “Henry called up from the gate. Costello’s here a few minutes early.”


    “That’s fine. Show him in.” I stand and button my jacket, looking out the window in time to catch a glimpse of Sebastian stepping from his car. He has three guards with him, his driver included, all of whom make an imposing image clustered around the Maserati.


    This smart ass. I see the way he looks up at the house while removing his sunsses. Is he considering a ce like this for himself one day? Or maybe this house in particr. Not that I want to give in to suspicion, but I recognize his hungry look. I need to be careful with this kid.


    He’s all smiles when he enters the room a minuteter, extending a hand to shake. “Mr. Rossetti. I was d to hear you recovered your shipment.”


    “Thanks to you.” I’m careful to avoid Roger’s prating stare as gesture for Sebastian to take a seat. “Would you like some coffee?”


    “No, thank you, I’m fine.” He unbuttons his jacket and makes himselffortable. “I was hoping you’d given some more thought to the prospect of us working together.”


    “You’ve already proven yourself a valuable ally. And I was impressed with your prospectus. I think we could make this work.” I hold out a hand, signaling Roger to bring me the agreement wepiled. “This is a counteroffer, if you will. Our terms work within the parameters of the terms you’ve already set. If you go over this and don’t find any problems, we can move forward.”


    “I’ll have my team take a look, but I can’t see any reason there would be issues.” I watch as he scans the information, his eyes moving over the page.


    “I’m d to hear it.”


    “So Moroni isn’t a problem anymore?” Only his eyes move, lifting from the page and meeting mine.


    “He hasn’t shown his face.”


    “That’s not what I was asking. Don’t get me wrong,” he’s quick to add when my brows draw together, “whatever he brings, we can handle. If you need extra security on your barges, I can arrange that. We’ll make this work. But I do need to know, you understand. What am I getting into?”


    “It’s handled.” I hold his gaze,


    him a way to move his weapons.


    unblinking, daring him to fuck with me. I don’t need him nearly as much as he needs me to give


    “Good to know.” He smiles–the quick, sure smile of someone who thinks they’re untouchable. I would hate to see reality crashing in on him someday. He’s hot shit, sure, but he’s untested. And he’s already trying my patience.


    I hear her before I see her, her voice filling the room all at once. “We decided not to go to the movie-”


    Our three heads turn to find Caterina standing in the doorway, her eyes wide and face turning red. “I am so sorry,” she whispers, backing away. “I should’ve known you were in a meeting, only the door was open.”


    And I didn’t expect her back so soon. Forck of anything better to offer, I murmur, “Sebastian Costello, meet Caterina Cole.”


    <b>TZU </b><b>DUNNUS </b>


    He grins<b>, </b>standing, extending a hand. “I’ve been looking forward to making your acquaintance,” he tells her, and unexpectedly his voice is much warmer than it was before. “I heard you’re mighty dangerous with a fork.”


    Now her horrified flush is more like a nervous blush. “Not one of my proudest moments,” she whispers, but a smile tugs at her


    lips.


    “I would’ve loved to see it,” he replies, oozing charm.


    I wonder how long it would take to strangle him. It’s irrational as fuck to be angry at another man for talking to her, but she is mine. Her voice and smiles should be saved for only me. He doesn deserve to bask in her happiness.


    “I’ll find you when the meeting’s over,” I tell Caterina, who takes one more look at him before trotting away. Sebastian is still chuckling, shaking his head like he’s impressed.


    “You know, there was one other issue I wanted to discuss with you


    His attention swings back to me. “I’m all ears.”


    “We’re looking into the death of a civilian, a woman. It took ce, ph, fourteen years ago. We believe she may have been in the wrong ce at the wrong time and that her husband–a detective was the intended target. I know you would have no first- hand knowledge of anything that happened that long ago, but I was wondering if you’d ever heard any talk about that. Maybe you could ask around and see if anyone remembers.”


    “Are you asking me if my father had a woman killed? I think we both know that’s not how he operated.”


    “Absolutely, and that was my immediate reaction, but that is roughly around the time I started doing business with your father, and if that detective was after me…”


    “Say no more.” He’s frowning as he buttons his jacket like he’s ready to leave. “I can’t imagine that havinge from Dad, but there’s a chance someone on my crew knows about it.”


    “I’d appreciate any information you uncover. And in the meantime, I look forward to hearing from yourwyer. I’d love to sign a contract soon.” His ready smile tells me he agrees, and Roger offers to walk him to the front door while I sink into my chair.


    There’s too much happening. My heart’s pounding suddenly like it wants to burst from my chest. Moroni. Costello. The traitor in my crew. Amalia and the papers. Caterina’s mother. My daughter. Everywhere I turn, more problems. More questions. Every man has a breaking point. Until now, I couldn’t have imagined reaching mine. That’s never been me. I don’t fall apart. I can’t afford to. There are too many people depending on me, needing me. Decisions to be made, people to protect.


    Somewhere along the line, it’s all be too much. I see that now sitting behind my desk<b>, </b>staring out the window while the world spins out of control around me. It’s all too damn much. I’ve reached the point where I’m too overwhelmed to see the next step. Do I reach out to Amalia? Do I start making phone calls about a murder I’m sure the gunman forgot about long ago? Or maybe it’s Tatiana who needs my attention–I should go to her, spend some time with her. But Caterina needs me to fulfill my promise. And I need to protect what’s mine, including my business


    In other words, I’m in the middle of a storm, and I have no idea which way to turn,


    “I’m so sorry.”


    The sound of my little bird’s voice reaches what little is left of my sanity. I turn toward her<b>, </b>soaking in the sight of her beauty. ” You don’t have to apologize,” I murmur, gesturing for her toe closer.


    Something holds her back, however. “No, that was super unprofessional of me. I saw the car outside, but sin open… I just wasn’t thinking. I wanted to see you.” She tucks a strand of dark hair behind her ear and bites h


    your door was


    “I could never get upset with you for saying something like that.” I hold out my arms, and shees to me. Settling in myp, her wee weight provides me instantfort. She settles against my body, winding her arms around my neck, and instantly all is right with the world.


    “You look upset. Did the meeting not go well?”


    ??


    “Actually, it went fine.” <b>I </b>need to focus on what’s working right now, and the deal with Sebastian is one of those things.


    “What else is going on? You can talk to me. I want you to talk to me when things are bothering you.”


    <b>“</b>I’m a little overwhelmed at the moment, that’s all.”


    “I’m sorry. Maybe you need to take a day off.”


    The innocence of youth. “You have no idea how much I’d like to, but I’m afraid that would only worsen everything. I have too much to deal with.”


    “Well, in case you were wondering, Taliana is fine.” She ces a gentle kiss on my cheek, then another closer to my jaw. The sweetness of it–I can’t breathe, and now my heart is thumping. Not out of panic or being overwhelmed<b>, </b>but because I don’t know how to handle what she does to me. It’s like she shoves a hand in my chest and stirs up parts of my soul I thought were dead. The way she brings everything into crystal rity without trying.


    I deeply inhale the scent of her hair and skin. “You came back earlier than expected.”


    “The matinee was sold out, and we didn’t feel like waiting around. Maybe we’ll go out again tomorrow, and do a little shopping after the movie. As long as I can get her out of the house.”


    “She’s lucky to have a friend like you.” Just as I’m lucky to have her. She’s be essential, what I need to survive. I wouldn’t dare say that out loud for fear of overwhelming her, but the knowledge is there just the same.


    “Can I ask you a favor?” I murmur, stroking her back, closing my eyes to soak in the wonder of her nearness.


    “Anything.”


    “Don’t ever leave me. I couldn’t get along without you.<b>” </b>


    She lifts her head, wearing a sweet smile. There’s nothing less than love shining from her baby blues, and I would happily drown in it as long as her loving gaze is thest thing I see. “That’s something you never have to worry about,” she whispers.” Because I’m not going anywhere. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.”


    <b>(</b><b>6 </b>


    I must have done something right if it meant earning this. With that in mind, I can almost believe there’s a way out of the seemingly hopeless mess life wants to dissolve into. So long as I have this and there’s love at the end of the day, everything else will work out.