“I’m answering now.”
“That’s not an answer, Atlas.”
I stared out at the Tuscan skyline, the clouds spread across the city.“I’m handling something.”
He exhaled harshly.“You disappeared in the middle of a busy week.You didn’t take a single man with you.You didn’t leave instructions.You didn’t?—”
“I was sure you could manage,” I told him.“If I didn’t think I could leave you in charge for a few days, I wouldn’t have left.”
“You’re unprotected, Atlas!”
“I don’t need a shadow every time I leave the city, Marcello.”
“You’re the Don,” he snapped.“You don’t get to walk around unprotected.That’s reckless.”
“I’m fine.”
“You say that now, but I swear if something happens?—”
“Marcello.”My tone dropped.“I’ll be home soon.”
There was a beat of annoyed silence.Then, “How soon?I’m coming out there.You need at least one man with you who has your back.”
“And if you come, who will run the family while we’re both away?”I was sure he hadn’t thought that one through.“I’ll be home before the day is out.”
The call ended after I convinced him I’d be home soon and before he could dig any further.I set the phone down, hoping that was the end of his concern until I made it back home.
It wasn’t.
The buzzer rang from the building entrance.I froze.Only one person besides Marcello knew where I was in Tuscany.And it sure as hell wasn’t my mother.
I hit the intercom.“Yes?”
A cheerful voice answered, “It’s your favorite cousin,cugino mio.Buzz me in.”
Gianni.Fuck.
I pressed the door release, already irritated.
A minute later, he pushed the door open and walked into the penthouse like he owned it.He was grinning, relaxed, carrying the kind of confidence only a man who had never had to fear anything could pull off.
“Wow,” he breathed, giving the place a slow look.“I love how cold and impersonal you’ve made it.”
I almost rolled my eyes.Of course he’d say that.Gianni had been the one who’d shown me this property before I bought it.Back then, it had just been an empty shell with concrete floors and bare walls.I’d bought it for the view, nothing more.
He stepped further inside, still smiling like he was here for a family reunion instead of an unannounced assignment.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to Tuscany?”
I arched a brow.“Marcello sent you.”
“Obviously.”Gianni dropped onto my couch like it was his.“He forgot to mention it when he called, didn’t he?”
I glared.“He did.”
“He’s worried,” Gianni shrugged.“And when he’s worried, he annoys the shit out of me until I fix things.”
“You’re not here to fix anything,” I noted.“You’re here because he thinks I’m incapable of taking care of myself.”