She rolls her eyes. “My brother will love hiding us in the back seat again. Dad asked me last week again if you’ve considered coming to work with us. Your background in numbers, the general ledgers, how they’re kept and moved around. You would make work on our end so much easier, and it’s for the defense not prosecution of the families.”
I know, she’s offered a gazillion times but there’s something that doesn’t sit quite right about giving over family secrets and strategies passed down by the family for generations no matter the reason, but especially for money. No matter that Massimo thought it would be fine. Clearly because I could run everything going on through him. I’m not stupid. “I’m still deciding. Massimo has offered me a job too. I just need a little more time looking at all the options.”
She nods. “Probably even better that you can do something with his family, honestly. You can work from the house, and he and your sister can continue to keep you protected.”
My eyes narrow at my very tricky friend. “I know what you’re doing. But I am so tired of being protected. Tonight was the first night I’ve been able to breathe. I need to get out of that house more often. I can’t live my life like I’m a prisoner, no matter what Massimo and his brothers say. The Gallinis think I’m dead. Barcelo is dead. What’s the worry?”
“As long as you’re careful. These men have long fucking memories. They don’t just go away but it does sound like the worst of the crew is in Italy and they think you’re dead. As long as nothing changes, hopefully with time you’ll be safe.”
“I know. There’s a balance somewhere between feeling safe and a prisoner in my own home. Anyone ever tell you that being a lawyer makes you suck at sugar coating things?”
Addie laughs. “Sorry, comes with the job. I hate to be the one to say it, but it’s your life. You get to call the shots. I know what a force the Roselli brothers can be but if you feel like a prisoner that’s no life either. Seriously, we’re sneaking around like teenagers not the grown-ass women that we are.”
Addie’s not telling me anything I don’t already know. “At some point I’ll deal with it, right now part of it is making sure Sophia knows I’m okay and that she’s not scared half to death again. What happened was really hard on her too. It’s a hugefucking betrayal when your father is the one at fault. He could have prevented the entire thing.”
Addie takes a long sip of her wine. “Ever the big sister. Well, I know from personal experience that your sister can handle herself just fine. You have to take care of you now.”
“You’re not wrong. Tonight helped. More than you know.”
She gives me wide eyes. “Well, I would know a hell of a lot more if you would spill all the details. Drink some more wine and tell me everything.
9
VINCENZO
Idon’t answer Nicolo’s question about what’s going on, instead turn and head back into the club with one mission on my mind. “Keep me posted.” I go downstairs, scanning the lounge before spotting Mistress Valentino talking to two men who think their masks disguise them and their illicit affairs here at the club, while nothing could be farther from the truth. Both married to others and fooling around. The worst of the worst in my personal opinion.
I close the distance fast. “Excuse us,” I tell the group before taking Valentina by the arm. “With me.” Her painted-on eyebrow arches as she stays glued by my side, partly by her own momentum and half by mine.
We reach a private office off the main lounge, and I close the door. “Sit.”
Valentina crosses her long leg over the other, and the long skirt of her dress falls open. She adjusts it and gives me a withering look. “What has gotten into you?”
“I need information.”
“Okay.”
“The lady that was here with Anna? Who is she?”
Now she bristles. “You know the rules, Vincenzo. No names on masquerade night and the masks don’t come off.” My jaw tenses. “Do not play coy with me Valentina. Who is Addie, the girl with Anna? Her last name to be specific.”
Her eyes flash. “First, I cannot confirm an Anna or Addie.” She gives me a set of those fucking air quotes. “Rules of the club.”
This is fucking bullshit. I’m the boss. I swear if she weren’t one of the closest friends I’ve ever had and hadn’t grown up with all of us, I would ring her bloody neck. “Look, they could both be in danger tonight and I don’t give a flying fuck about your rules. Tell me what I want to know, Valentina. What patience I have is growing thin.”
Now she’s fearful, concerned. She knows when I say danger I’m not messing around. In our world, things go south in a fucking heartbeat and the road between here and Jersey City gives someone a good amount of time to make that happen. “I need Addie’s last name. Now.”
She swallows hard. “She’s my friend, Vincenzo. One of my dearest friends. Her father saved my father from going to prison years ago, and we became lifelong friends. Why do you want to know?”
“Last name.”
I’ve seldom seen Valentina nervous, but she is tonight. “Dunlap.” The minute she says the name it all comes together. Sure, we’ve used the firm several times ourselves, but always with the hope we won’t need them for a case against one of the members of our family. “Attorneys. They live in Jersey City?”
She nods, her eyes wide and intent. “Why are you asking the questions, Vincenzo. Is Addie in danger?”
“I don’t know, but Anna, the woman she’s with, is definitely on someone’s most wanted list and it’s not the fucking FBI.” Before she can say anything, I alleviate her concern. “I sentsoldiers to follow them home. They’ll stay a safe distance behind, they are there just in case the ladies need protection, but I would prefer to know where they’re going, exactly, before they get there. We’ll protect your friend too.”
She nods, swallowing hard. “I’ve got the Dunlap’s address. I send them a card every year, and Addie asked me to send a special invite there for Anna.” She slides open her cell and rifles for a minute before the forwarded contact pops into my messages.