Christiano’s gaze drifts over the bottle while he mentions, “It will be excellent for business.” His eyes lift to mine, sharp and calculating. “This was him proving he wants long-term business.”
“Exactly.” I climb to my feet again. “We’re going to make a fuck-ton of money.”
Before I can turn around and leave, Christiano asks, “How are things otherwise? We didn’t get to talk at the last poker game.”
All the men from the five families get together for a poker game once a month, but there are so many of us that it’s easy to miss talking to someone.
I shrug as I reply, “Everything is the same as always.” To direct his focus off me, I say, “I had dinner with Remo and Valentina last night. They look very happy.”
“Yeah.” A grin spreads over his face. “Hopefully they’ll get married soon, then I can call my best friend my brother-in-law.”
“They mentioned next summer,” I tell him.
“Gives me time to pad my bank account before my sister drains it with an expensive wedding.”
“Seeing as it’s Remo’s first marriage, I’ll pay.” When it looks like Christiano is going to argue, I add, “It would be my honor.”
Reluctantly, he nods and follows me to the doorway, then asks, “Are you heading back to the club?”
“No, I’ll be at the warehouse for the rest of the day to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
“What else did Devran send that I might be interested in?”
“Seventy-five boxes ofCohiba Behikes, five cases ofYamazaki 18, twenty bottles ofLouis XIII, twelveChâteau Margaux,and tenPétrus. There’s enough money sitting in those crates to make customs agents cry.”
Christiano lets out a chuckle. “Save me a box ofCohiba Behikes.” He gives me a questioning look. “How much did the shipment cost?”
“Six-fifty.”
He lifts an eyebrow, looking impressed. “You’re going to make some serious profit.”
A smirk tugs at my mouth. “Of course. I don’t waste time on cheap shit.” Walking away, I add, “Enjoy the whiskey.”
“Fuck that. It’s going straight to the vault,” he calls out, which makes me chuckle.
It’s after ten when Little Ricky drives past Laurie’s work, and I’m surprised to see the lights are off.
I hope that means she’s done working so late.
“Go to her house,” I tell him.
“You’re tired. How about you skip tonight? We can stalk her tomorrow.”
I shoot him a look that says keep driving.
When Little Ricky parks the SUV across from Laurie’s place, all the lights are off.
I shove the door open and glance up and down the quiet street as I cross it. The truck is parked in the driveway, and as I move around the side of the house, everything is quiet.
I stop near the bedroom window and listen, but not hearing anything, I assume they already turned in for the night.
An itch spreads beneath my skin, and it feels dangerously like I’m going through withdrawal from not seeing Laurie for two days.
As I head back to the SUV, I seriously consider kidnapping her because I don’t have enough time to stalk her the way I’d like to.
I also hate knowing she’s living with another man.
Christ, I’m jealous, and I haven’t even spoken to the woman.