This gives me more insight into their dynamics.And I can’t help but admire the trust they have in each other.Therespect.
I already knew their story.At least in a clinical, words-on-paper sense.But hearing it directly from the source?Watching the emotions play out—the quiet smiles, the laughs, the way their eyes glaze over in remembrance—that’s worlds different.
This gives itbody.Makes it tangible.Make them more…human.
And on the heel of that thought…
The realization of what they just did hits me.“You sneaky sons of bitches.”
They flipped my own move on me.Turned my little ego attack into an opportunity to pull medeeperinto their trust circle.By sharing personal family history.Details I’m certain no one else knows.
Gio’s shoulders shake with silent laughter, while Lorenzo hides his smirk behind his wine glass.
“You’re going to be sorry for this,” I threaten, jabbing my fork in their direction.“I’m going to stab you in the back.So,so hard.You won’t even see it coming.”
“Oooh, I’m scared,” Lorenzo deadpans.
“Got your inhaler on you?”Gio asks, all cheek.“You should probably take a pump.Don’t want you having an attack from how worked up you’re getting right now.”
Ugh.They’re such shits.“Oh,piss off.”
Cora shakes her head, muttering something about us being juvenile as she gets up to clear the table for dessert.
“Okay,” I begin, “if the Castellos empire is basically an illegitimate organization founded and funded by legitimate capital, what makes guys like Ricky Garro think they can justbootStefano and replace him with someone else?”
“Ignorance and stupidity,” Gio answers easily.“Only a handful of people know what we just told you.We’ve always let rumors run wild because it works in our favor.At the end of the day, our empire is still organized crime.The wilder the rumors, the easier it is to keep people in line.”
His shoulder rises and falls in a shrug.“But the fact is, we’renotthe mafia.There’s no ‘taking out’ and ‘taking over.’Our foundation is both legitimate andin name.If someone wanted to take what we’ve built, they’d have to legally force us to sign it over.”His grin is wicked, sharp.“And even then, they’d fail.Because we have contingency plans in place for every scenario.”He taps his temple and winks.“I should know.I’mour dirty lawyer.”
Yup.Gio Bellanti is both the lawyer and the accountant of the organization.Such a brilliant decision to have one of the trusted trio be in charge of the two most integral parts of the business, instead of risking an outsider.
The other sensitive parts of their organization are handled by Red Cage.A private investigation, high-level security, and commando company that’s owned and operated by their blood relatives—the Garzas.
There are criminals, and then there aresmartcriminals.And the Castellos are a lot more than meets the eye.
Lorenzo tips his wine glass at me, a knowing glint in his eyes.“We learned from the best.Our cold-bloodedNonna.We got this.”
Cora brings out dessert.
My mouth waters at the sight of the scrumptious apple strudel she serves me, and I waste no time diving in, moaning when the sweet and tangy flavors burst on my tongue.
Only to pause, mid-chew, when a familiar voice fills the room.
“Why am Inot surprisedshe’shere?”
I resume eating, resisting the urge to look in that direction.
“Oh, Stefano, you’re here!”Cora says happily, ever incapable of hiding how much she favors him.“Lovely of you to join us.”
“Of course.”His footsteps advance, slow and measured.“It’sfamilynight, after all.”
I ignore the jab, determined to enjoy my delicious dessert.
But as he passes behind me, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end.Why does he carry so much energy?A presence so thick, it feels like static in the air.
Scrrreeech.
The empty chair next to mine drags against the marble floors, and a tiny breath catches in my throat as he settles into it.
