She clicks her tongue but doesn’t reply. The rest of the landing is spent in thick silence. She refuses to look at me, and I don’t press her. In time, she’ll learn to open up to me, to speak her mind in ways that don’t always involve biting remarks. Until then, I’ll keep gnawing at her, wearing her down until she bends.
When the jet comes to a halt, I waste no time getting up. As we disembark, I notice Stephanie, the flight attendant, watching me from the back of the jet. I don’t miss the glare Maria sends her way, and something about it makes my cold, thorn-pierced heart thrum with satisfaction.
She was jealous.
The cool summer air of New York greets me, the distant hum of sirens and city life filling my ears. I’m home.
Maria trudges behind me, her tension so palpable I can almost feel it pressing against my back. She’s out of her depth here, but she’ll learn. She has no choice.
Two large SUVs wait for us on the tarmac.
“Welcome back, Mr. Davacalli.” Emily, my housekeeper, smiles warmly. “You’ve been missed.” She turns her gaze to Maria. “Welcome to New York, Mrs. Davacalli.”
Maria steps out from behind me, hesitant but intrigued. “You’re the first person to greet me with a smile,” she says, extending her hand. “Maria. It’s nice to meet you.”
For the first time since we left Florence, I see the ghost of a smile on her lips. Her posture eases slightly in Emily’s presence, and I feel my own body loosen in response. I knew she’d take to Emily, but I’d been prepared for resistance.
“I have business to attend to,” I tell Maria. “Emily will take you to the penthouse and show you around. If you want to explore Manhattan, you may, but you’ll take Tony and Curtis with you.” I nod toward the two bull-like men by the SUVs. “They’re your security detail from now on.”
Maria’s gaze sweeps over them with thinly veiled disdain. “I don’t need them.”
There’s that defiance again. It makes her a pain in the ass at times, but I can’t deny how much I enjoy watching her fight against me.
“Yes, you do.”
She folds her arms. “You just want them to spy on me.”
She’s right, but I’m not about to admit that.
I resist the urge to sigh. “This isn’t up for negotiation, Maria.”
“I think Emily will do just fine.”
“Emily is not trained to protect you. No offense,” I add, glancing at Emily, who merely nods. “Her job is to manage the household, not keep you alive.” My voice is low, controlled. “Let me make this simple—you are no longer a Faravelli. You’re a Davacalli now, and with that name comes enemies.”
Maria’s jaw tightens, but she doesn’t argue. She knows I won’t bend.
I turn to Tony. “Take them to the penthouse. If she goes anywhere, you go with her. I want tracking updates.” My gaze shifts back to Maria. “I already put my number in your phone.It’s under ‘Matteo.’ If it’s urgent, call. Otherwise, a simple text will do.”
Her brows knit together. “How did you get my number?”
I lean in, brushing a whisper against her ear. “I have my ways. Behave while I’m away, kitten.”
She stiffens as I press a fleeting kiss to her cheek before stepping back. I acknowledge my staff once more and slide into the waiting SUV.
As we pull away, I pull out my phone and dial my son’s number.
Straight to voicemail. Again.
“Hi, you’ve reached Daniele Davacalli. Leave a message.”
I exhale sharply. “Danny, I’m getting worried. Call me back.”
I pocket my phone and stare out at the city as we weave through the streets of Manhattan. Daniele is my heir, the only one meant to inherit my throne, but he’s slipping further away. He could be on a beach somewhere, drink in hand, or he could be plotting his next reckless move against me.
Either way, I need to find him before someone else does.
The SUV pulls up to my business headquarters. Among all the illegal dealings, I run a few legitimate fronts to clean my money. This place is one of them.
