Page 35 of Wanton

"Congratulazioni," I murmur, genuinely happy for him.Merda. He deserves happiness in his life. Perhaps more than any of us. He's held us together, no matter how steep the personal cost. And it has been steep. He sacrificed everything. "You deserve peace."

"So do you." He eyes me for a moment. "You and Gabriel have been trying to take our businesses legitimate for a long time. When this shit is over, you two should focus on that again."

I glance at him in surprise.

"I have Mattia," he says with a shrug. "You're a phone call away. Get her out of this world. She's been in it long enough."

"And Amalia hasn't?"

He smiles softly. "Amalia knows where she belongs."

I'm not sure what the fuck that means. I'm not sure I want to know. My brother'sreginais a fierce woman, exactly what he needs to keep him busy.

Mattia exits the deli, signaling theall clear. Rafe and I exchange a glance and then climb out of the Bentayga.

"He's inside," Mattia mutters. "Enzo is with him."

"Not Marcello?" I ask. Enzo Gianni is one of their captains, a second or third cousin to Emilio. He's third in command after Marcello, definitely not the one who should be here now.

Mattia shakes his head.

Rafe and I exchange a glance. Why isn't Marcello here? Is there division in the ranks, or is this some sort of setup? Either one is equally possible at this point.

"Find Marcello," I mutter to Mattia. "I want to know where the fuck he is and why he isn't here."

"Will do," Mattia says.

I spear a look at Antonio. "You call Alessio. Make sure he knows that Marcello isn't here and to keep his eyes peeled."

Antonio nods.

"Leave a gun on the bench while Enzo pats me down." I glance at Rafe. "You distract Emilio so he doesn't see him leaving it."

"You think it's a setup," Rafe says.

"You don't? Marcello isn't here for a reason. I'm guessing Callandria is the reason. They're going after her," I growl, my temper rising. Emilio Genovese better pray to God I'm wrong. Not even heaven itself will keep her from me. Her father and brother certainly won't. She's mine.

"Slip him the gun," Rafe says to Antonio. "Cazzo, Luca. Just don't fucking kill him."

I make no promises.

Rafe curses again and pulls the door open. A blast of air hits me in the face, carrying the stench of stale cigar smoke.Cristo. I don't know why they insist on smoking the damn things. The inside of the deli is dimly lit, the blinds drawn. The place no longer functions, though it has all the trappings, down to fresh ingredients in the kitchen.La Cosa Nostrais good at keeping up appearances.

Emilio and Enzo stand in the center of the room, dressed in matching dark blue suits. Emilio turns in our direction, casting a cold, contemptuous look over us. Unlike his daughter, there's no fire in his eyes, only coldness. He's a giant of a man, as thick as he is tall. A glimpse of who Marcello will be twenty-five years from now, perhaps.

Enzo is a handsome bastard, rising through the ranks only because Genovese blood runs through his veins and he has no conscience. He kills with no remorse, steals with no regret. He's a soulless sycophant.

"Valentino," Emilio says, inclining his head to Rafe in the barest show of respect. His gaze flicks to me. "Luca."

"Genovese," Rafe says, his voice cold. "Enzo." He casts a glance over his shoulder at Mattia. "Search him."

Emilio grunts but doesn't object as Mattia steps forward. He pats Emilio down carefully, checking him for weapons. Once he's satisfied, he steps back, nodding to Rafe.

"Let's get on with it then," Rafe says.

"Not so fast. Not until Enzo searches the two of you."

Rafe rolls his eyes. "We don't make a habit of violating our oaths, Genovese. But since you insist." He steps forward impatiently, his arms spread.