I lift a brow.“Something on your mind?”
He taps his fingers against the box of cigarettes.“It’s obvious something serious is going on.Lorenzo’s been issuing tight instructions, cutting communication to short-notice, need-to-know only.”He lifts his cigarette to his mouth but doesn’t take a drag.“And I get it.If there’s a threat, you’re gonna be extra careful for a while.Makes sense.But…”
He blows out a sharp breath, frustration clear.“I’ve been loyal to this family for half my life.And right now, I feel shut out.Feels like you don’t trust me.Some of the others are taking it as an insult, a slap in the face.But for me, I just—I want you to know I’myoursoldier.Loyal to you always.Here and ready whenever you need me.”
I nod once.“Noted.”
Then drive off.
If I gave a shit about people and their hurt feelings, I wouldn’t have lived this long.I’mselectivelyempathetic.And right now, with my empire at risk and the people Idocare about in danger, I couldn’t give a flying fuck about bruised egos and quiet grumblings.
They don’t like it?They can ship out.Less people to be suspicious of.
I’m passing Brioso Hubb when something interesting catches my attention.
Brioso Hubb was built as a recreational chill spot for my men to unwind between shifts or on lunch breaks.Self-serve, always alive, pulsing twenty-four-seven.It’s the one place in the villa that the womensteer clearof.Unless they enjoy getting aggressively harassed.The men do it on purpose to keep them out.
But theresheis.Right in the middle of a group of men shooting pool out on the open deck.Laughing and betting like she’s one of the boys.
I circle around to the garden across the way and park behind a cluster of manicured shrubs.Well out of sight but with a clear, unobstructed view of Brioso Hubb’s open deck.
Or more specifically,her.
She might as well be Tazi with how comfortable the men are around her.Zero harassment.Maybe not being conventionally attractive works in her favor.
Or maybe Luca’s right.Maybe she’s justreallydamn good at changing her face to suit her audience.Because at my house two hours ago, she was wearing tight-fitting athleisure.Shorts and tank top.Now, she’s all covered up with baggy cargo pants and a roomy pullover hoodie.Not that she has much to show off.
Raya is lean and defined.Firm.Her curves slight.Boyish, almost.Heart-shaped face.Basic prettiness.Long black hair partially done up with braids and knots or whatever all that mess is.
Unimpressive.Except for thatrack.Perfect fucking pair, got to give her that.
And those eyes…goddamnthose eyes.
Rich, shocking, breath-stealing green.Eyes that have been plaguing me for longer than I’ve known her.Eyes that glint with both challenge and hope.Eyes that tell me sheneedssomething from me.And not knowing what she’s after grates under my skin.
Wholly intrigued by her, I lean forward, resting my chin on my hands on the steering wheel.Why is she down here, with a bunch of Uppermen, instead of sipping cocktails at The Pink House pool with the other girls?What’s her angle?What’s she playing at?
Before I know it, over an hour has passed and I’m still here, watching her win and lose at the pool table.Collecting winnings, handing over losses.Laughing.Jesting.Jeering.
Until Luca shows up.
He goes in, then minutes later emerges with his arm slung around her shoulder.Both of them laughing and carrying on like old friends.
Huh.
For someone he doesn’t trust, he sure is chummy as hell with her.Seems Raya isn’t the only one wearing faces around here.
I sit up straighter, watching them until they disappear from view.
Raya Michel, the chameleon.I’m going to find out who you really are.
CHAPTER NINE
Raya
I WAKE TO Achill in the room.
Groaning, I tug the sheets up to my neck and burrow deeper.
