“An ape, as per usual.”
“More like a bloodthirsty wolf.”
“Nah, that sounds too cool. I’m thinking you’re more of a territorial hippo.”
His reply is cut short when the door opens. A woman smiles out at me, older and round, with graying hair cut short around herears. “Fiorella, my dear, it’s so good to see you. Filippo said you were visiting, but I couldn’t believe it.”
“Hello, Mrs. Benedetti. It’s nice to see you too.”
“Please, please, you’re not a little girl anymore. Call me Marta.” She gives me a warm hug and ushers me inside. “This must be your husband?”
“Luca Marino,” he says and politely shakes her hand. “Lovely home you have, Marta. Something smells incredible.”
“Ah, just a little something I whipped up for your visit.” Marta grins, eyes gleaming. “Come, my husband is like a little rat, afraid of the sunlight. He hides in his office all day before creeping out after sundown.”
It really does smell incredible, and I make sure to compliment her as well. Marta’s a nice woman, and we’ve met a few times over the years, but I don’t know her well. Some wives are deep in the Famiglia while others like to keep their hands clean. I suspect she’s one of the latter. She likely knows what her husband does in broad strokes but not the details.
We’re taken to a cramped and simple office in the back of the house. Filippo’s sitting behind a basic desk, frowning at a laptop as he types away. He holds up a finger for one moment while Marta leaves us alone.
There isn’t much decoration in his office. Just a few statues on the bookcase and an old family photo probably showing his parents.
Otherwise, it’s austere.
Filippo clicks twice and looks up. “Sorry about that. Some clients expect me to drop everything and email back the instant theysend a message.” He stands and shakes our hands. “Please, come in. It’s good to see you both again. The last time we met, circumstances weren’t ideal.”
“You mean Carmine and Rocco murdering each other and nearly killing my brother?” I beam at him when he grimaces. “I’d say that was definitely unfortunate.”
“We have to deal with certain personalities in this line of business. Would either of you like a drink?”
I politely decline. Luca asks for some water. Filippo calls out to Marta, and she returns a moment later with a glass and a tray with several dishes. “Lemon shrimp in garlic and good olive oil. Just dip the bread and enjoy.” She places it all down on Filippo’s desk.
“Thank you, dear.” Filippo eats first, looking happy. I join him more out of politeness than anything else. Luca sits back and watches, saying nothing.
“So good,” I say, which is true. But I’m too nervous to keep eating.
“Marta’s an excellent cook.” Filippo seems very proud as he looks toward the door. “But we should keep our voices down. Who knows who might be listening?”
I nod and speak softly. “You can probably guess why we’re here.”
“I heard that your brother checked himself out of the hospital.”
“Only to keep ahead of the killers Corrado sent.” I lean forward and eat a little more shrimp. It helps calm me down a little bit. “But Raf is doing better. He’s awake and improving.”
“That’s good news.” Filippo doesn’t look happy, but he doesn’t seem sad either. His eyes narrow, and he studies me carefully. “I take it your brother is set on his new position.”
“His rightful position,” I correct. “And yes, with the backing of the Marino Famiglia—” I gesture at Luca, who continues to loom beside me. “—he plans on making sure his claim sticks permanently.”
Filippo lets out a sigh. “Fighting is always bad for business. That’s what I’ve always counseled whenever your father would ask. I do numbers, and the numbers always tell the truth.”
“Then your numbers understand the situation we’re in. Even if my uncle solidifies his hold on the business, we’re finished. He can’t turn it around without Marino help.”
“That’s why I told your father to marry you off.” Filippo doesn’t smile. He barely shows emotion as he speaks. “He didn’t want to do that to you, but I walked him through the accounts and made him understand. This is a matter of survival for us now.”
“We need your backing, Filippo.” I stare at him but do my best to keep myself as calm and emotionless as possible.
“You saw what we’re against. You saw those other two—” Luca starts, but I put a hand on his thigh. This is a man who makes decisions with logic and facts. He won’t respond well if Luca starts trying to talk about revenge or anything like that.
Lucky for me, my husband isn’t stupid. He goes quiet and lets me take the lead.
