Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“I have to go,” he said.
“I’ll be waiting.”
He nodded at her. “Don’t leave the main hall, and don’t allow anyone to take you anywhere.”
They’d already seen her father, which had been awkward seeing as he had a woman on his arm who wasn’t his wife. He’d looked livid at seeing her. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the way she dressed, being Giovanni’s date, or because the ink she’d gotten was on display.
She took small sips from her glass as she moved around the hall, keeping an eye on the exit where her husband had disappeared to.
“I never expected to see you here.”
Valentina turned to see her ex-fiancé, Leonardo Rossi. Shouldn’t he be with her husband? She was tempted to ask him but figured it would sound impolite.
“Mr. Rossi,” she said.
“Please, Valentina, we were almost family.” He held his hand out toward her, and she didn’t want to shake his hand. In front of so many people, it was impossible to deny him. He was the Boss’s son. To deny him was to insult the entire family. This wasn’t a good place to be in.
So, she placed her hand within his, and he tightened his hold around her. Gritting her teeth, she forced a smile. When it was polite enough, she pulled her hand away. This man made her skin crawl. She’d never been able to stand him, and that hadn’t changed.
His wife was nowhere in sight. She wasn’t sure who he came with, but she hoped she could make her escape soon.
She kept checking the exit, to see if Giovanni had returned, and it was still very much empty. What could be taking him so long? She didn’t want to be left alone with this man. He was vile.
“You look absolutely stunning. I cannot believe Giovanni would even dream to leave you alone in a roomful of sharks.”
Chapter Eight
“You know, it was risky bringing your wife here. I had several complaints even before I came to you.”
“Come now, Mr. Rossi, you and I both know this benefit is to line our pockets, show strength, and to show off women we’re fucking.”
Thomas tutted, but he smiled. “I suppose when it comes to you, I shouldn’t expect anything different. Your loyalty is bone deep. It’s in your blood as well. Your father, rest his soul, was the same. He wouldn’t ever dream of stepping out on your mother. Found the concept of screwing other women repulsive.”
“I’ve been lucky in being given the gift of my wife, sir,” he said.
His boss chuckled and slapped him on the arm. “Tonight, Giovanni, I feel old. The women are looking younger, and the men, well, we’re all looking so fucking old.”
This was the best time for him to keep his mouth shut, but he didn’t want to leave Valentina out there unattended for too long. He’d already noticed Leonardo was out there without his wife. Valentina, without him, was vulnerable. There was no way for her to defend herself against Leonardo’s manipulative ways.
Giovanni watched as Thomas glanced around the grand room. Only the best of the Rossi empire. It was what he’d built his life on. No one could interfere with that.
“I have word of a rat within our walls,” Thomas said.
For the Boss to bring up business at a benefit, this was serious. He’d been back home for a month, but this was the first he heard of it, which meant it had to be true. Thomas Rossi had a way of finding out all the details, to be certain before he acted.
“Do you have any idea who it is?”
“It’s someone close, a little too close,” Thomas said. “I just can’t … I don’t … there are a few gaps in potential suspects’ alibis, if you know what I mean.”
Giovanni nodded. “Would you like me to handle this?”
Thomas sighed. “I know you’ve just gotten recently married, but yes, unfortunately, I feel…” He didn’t finish.
“Leonardo is one of the subjects?” he asked, keeping his voice quiet.
The man before him looked deflated. “I believe my own son is trying to turn my soldiers against me. There are at least three of my capos that have possibly turned to his side. A takeover is … imminent.” Thomas collapsed into a chair. “He’s my son, Giovanni.”
This was difficult.
He moved closer to the man who had taken him in, helped him to become someone, who’d fed that thirst for blood. Seen what a fucking monster he was and used it to his advantage.
Thomas Rossi hadn’t rested until the murderers who had killed Giovanni’s parents had been brought to him. He found some closure in knowing he’d helped to avenge his parents’ death. Giovanni owed a great deal to this man.
“Give me the word, Thomas. I will investigate. I will find the men who would dare to turn from you, and I will guarantee I will handle Leonardo,” he said. “May I speak freely?”