Chapter 13
Three days after Veronica's visit, Giovani calls to schedule an urgent meeting. I have to admit, I'm immediately on edge—he's usually so calm, but he sounded really nervous.
As soon as I arrive at one of my offices in club two, I find Giovani pacing between the armchairs in front of the desk, running his hands through his hair.
Paolo leans near the window, smoking a cigar, taking light drags and releasing smoke into the air.
Marco is running his finger along the tip of one of his daggers, making the lamplight reflect off the blade.
I look at the three of them, and from their expressions I can tell something serious is going on.
“What is it? What's with the long faces?”
“Lorenzo, our soldiers in enemy territory said one of Accioly's men asked them to find at least three small locations because this soldier's girlfriend wants to play with some girls who are getting in her way,” Giovani says.
I stare at them, confused.
“Okay, and? Why the grim faces?”
“The part where Accioly's soldier's girlfriend is none other than Veronica, your ex,” Paolo adds.
“What? That can't be.” I slam my fist on the desk, making the ashtray shatter on the floor. “This fucking woman won't leave me alone?”
Marco gives me a hard look.
“You didn't believe she loved you and was sorry, did you?”
“Of course not, Marco.”
Marco walks up to the desk and stabs his dagger into it.
“What are we going to do, Don?”
“We need to protect our women,” I say.
“Our women? Hmm, interesting choice of words there. If they're ours,” Paolo mocks, “then Lola is mine.”
I stare at him, my eyes burning like they're on fire, and I notice my glare silences him for a moment.
“Stop joking around, Paolo. This is serious.”
He keeps up the provocative tone.
“I know, that's why I'm saying... want me to take care of Lola? I'll take care of her.”
I stare at him, my voice coming out low but cold.
“She already has someone to take care of her,” I respond, clenching my fists.
“Hmm, just because she's hot you want to take care of her?” He smacks his lips like he's looking at a delicious dessert and watches my reaction.
I lunge at him in a rage, pin his neck with my left forearm, and squeeze. His eyes go wide but he doesn't stop smiling. I shove him hard. Paolo nearly falls.
Giovani's eyes dart from me to Paolo. I take a step forward and speak without raising my voice.
“Watch what you say, Paolo. It could cost you your tongue, or your head. Now let's get to what matters.”
“That's right, this is serious business. We need to think of something,” Giovani adds.
Marco gives me a serious look, and I sit down, taking a deep breath to calm myself.
“Lorenzo, as you know, my grandfather is very sick, and he wants me to get married before he dies.”
“Yes, I know. What does that have to do with our problem?”
“If you agree, I'd like to take Sara to my house. She'll be protected there, and I can pretend to my grandfather that she's my fiancée.”
I stare at him and remember how I've always noticed the way Marco looks at Sara, even though she's much younger than him. But that's not a problem. I'm also much older than Lola, and I want her more than anything.
“Well, Marco, you know Sara only does what she wants, right? I'll talk to her, and if she agrees, she'll go to your house and stay there for a while pretending to be your fiancée. That okay with you, Gio?”
My brother looks at me and nods. Actually, he seems distracted, lost in thought, and blurts out:
“If you want, you can send Yná's daughter to work at my house. I need a housekeeper.”
I look at him, confused.
“Gio, I don't think Carla is one of the girls in danger.”
He looks embarrassed and tries to backtrack.
“I meant I can take Sofia, and to help out, I'll bring Carla too. She can start working for me.”
“Well, we need to talk to Lola about that, and to Yná and Carla herself,” I explain.
“All right.”
“Well, I said I can take Lola to my house,” Paolo adds with a mocking smirk. “But Lorenzo has other plans.”
I clench my fists, irritated by how he keeps provoking me.
“I already told you to drop it. I'll take care of Lola.” I stare at him and shove him hard. “You think you're funny. Careful—I might take your little jokes seriously. And if I'm the one who wants to play, trust me, you won't like it.”
He stares at me, his smile fading. The others watch us. Paolo nods, raising his hands in surrender.
“Sorry, no more jokes.”
“So it's settled then?” Marco tries to break the tension and put the matter to rest.
“For now, yes,” Giovani says.
“I'm going home to bring the three of them up to speed on the situation.” I grab the car keys.
“Perfect,” Marco says.
I leave and head back to the mansion, stopping at the gate to let them know Veronica is no longer authorized to enter.