“I know what the evidence shows, Ari. I’ve seen the same shit you have. But I haven’t been able to corroborate any of it, despite all my surveillance.”
“Explain.”
My memory fills with the moment last night when Lena sat on my desk, vulnerable, expression entirely open as she answered my questions. If she was lying, she’s far more treacherous than even my uncle and brother think. Still— “She doesn’t go anywhere other than school, work, and her apartment. No clubbing, no partying. She doesn’t go anywhere she could meet with the Paganos covertly and I haven’t seen any behavior to indicate they’re communicatingany other way either. Nor have I caught her tampering with drinks at work.”
“Could you have missed it?”
“Not likely. She’s not flashing extra cash. Her apartment is practically empty, any furnishings she does have she picked up at a thrift sore. The most expensive thing she owns is her violin, but even that is secondhand.”
“So what?” Ari prods. “She might be young, but she’s also smart. She could have hidden her payments in a bank account somewhere.”
“One we haven’t been able to find? Come on, man. We clean money the way the White Sox lose games—expertly. We know all the ways to hide cash and we can’t find hers? There’s no way.”
“So, what are you saying?” Ari’s back to spinning that stupid letter opener. The metal glints as it goes around and around and around. “Do you think she’s in the clear? With all the evidence we have, explain that.”
“We know the Paganos falsify evidence all the time,” I point out. “Maybe this is the same situation.”
“You’re forgetting, brother—this intel came from ourcapo.Hefound this lead, found the evidence showing this stupid fucking girl is tied to the scum trying to destroy our family. This isn’t some fairytale cooked up by the Paganos. This isourevidence you’re working so hard to disprove.”
“I’m just looking for the truth, Ari. Simple as that. I’m not going to break one of the rare rules I live by without making damn sure I’m not going to regret it later.”
“Fine, fine.” My brother leans back in his chair. “So where does all this leave us?”
“Well, our instincts about her aren’t entirely wrong. I can’t prove a connection to the Paganos, but I do know that Lena is tied up in something very fucking messy, whether she’s aware of it or not.”
I tell my brother about the sniper fire into her apartment, the fire at her aunt’s house, and the Russian tracking her down at work.
“See.” Ari leans toward me, vindication written on his features. “No way theArkhangelshows his face in public for the first time in years for a woman who isn’t at the center of a monumental shit show. We’re not wrong about her, brother. Lena Haywood is huge fucking trouble. Maybe not in the way we first thought, but a threat nonetheless.”
“I agree that something vicious is circling her and that her life is at risk. Which is why I’ve taken her under my protection.”
I have to give my brother credit. The letter opener slips but he doesn’t let it fall. “Protection? In what way?”
No one else would notice it, but I can tell my brother is shocked. Maybe even feeling a little betrayed. I tell myself I’m doing us both a favor when I keep the details to a minimum. “I’ve moved her into my penthouse. I’ve marked her as under my protection. I’ll be able to keep a close eye on Lena until I can figure out exactly what’s going on, who wants her dead, and if she has any real ties to the Paganos.”
Ari’s eyes narrow. “You fucking like her.”
I ignore his accusation and the way my chest constricts when I think of the ring still circling her finger. “I want to get to the bottom of this,” I counter, “as fast as fucking possible. For the sake of our family, just like you said. And, if she’s innocent, I don’t want her becoming collateral damage in the process.”
“And if she isn’t? What then,fratellino? Will you quit playing house, go back to being the ruthless killer I know you are and do what needs to be done?
Cazzo. Yeah, what then Rem?Kill my pretend fiancée to protect the family I’d die for? Or risk my brother and uncle killing me over a woman I want far more than I should?
Ari practically reads my mind when he says, “Be careful,Rem. We’re at war. When you’re caught in a firefight, make sure you know which side you’re on.”
His expression is concerned. Just like a big brother. Then, in a blink, he’s back to being my boss. “You have seven more days. That’s when Aldo is scheduled to be back. That’s how long you have to get to the bottom of this situation with the girl. After that, I won’t be able to protect you from him if the job isn’t done.”
“Understood.” I won’t be able to change Ari’s mind about Lena without more proof, and convincing ourcapoI’m right about her will be significantly easier if Ari and I are on the same side.
“Good. Fine. Now get out of here. I have shit to do.”
I nod to Ari as I stand up. He’s already lost in work, and I leave his office without another word. My phone vibrates as I step into the hall. My chest does a fucking irritating fluttering thing when, for a second, I think Lena somehow found a phone and is calling me.Scemo!I pull my phone from my coat and quickly get my ass in gear when I see it’s a number in Italy.
Mycapois calling.
13
LENA