Chapter 23
DANTE
The fun part about any half-intelligent member of the Bratva is that they’re good at covering their tracks.
With only a name to go off, we’ve uncovered a profile of sorts for Fyodor Novikov.
As expected, when Izak runs a background check, there’s no information of such a person ever entering the country.
Luca stands in front of me in his grand office with ceiling-high bookshelves, the fire crackling in the fireplace.
“Izak is extensively searching the internet for even a whisper of the name Fyodor Novikov,” I begin to explain.
“The other hounds are on the ground, searching for other evidence of anyone else who might be connected. It’s also coming to the end of the month, so we plan on waiting at the Trail Blaze restaurant to corner this hooded figure, who was the one conducting business on his behalf.
Kage is the closest in size to the big oaf I killed in the kitchen, so we'll use him to draw Novikov out, and we will capture him and extract answers.”
Luca is flicking through paperwork and looks up once I’ve finished speaking. “It might’ve been better to keep the chef alive to try and use him.”
“Let’s say he wasn’t very accommodating.
Besides, I’ve had Izak tap into his phone in case contact is made by the supplier, but there doesn’t seem to be much communication.
They’ve kept outside communication to a minimum, leaving it at a clean slate.
Had we kept him alive, he would have been a liability, likely warning them, and I'd much rather catch them off guard.”
Luca regards me carefully. It was a gamble either way we went, and I much prefer cutting off a potential liability than bringing it forward in hopes it becomes useful. At least that’s how I justify it, but also, I really just wanted to kill the fucker.
We acquired enough information from him to lead us to the next stage, and I believe in the hounds. I trust in Izak to eventually uncover who this Fyodor Novikov is and where he’s hiding.
“Lorenzo has cleaned up a few remaining followers in Italy. It doesn’t seem like many are left, which means either they retaliate by bringing more men over and declaring an all-out turf war, or they remain comfortable in their own territory. I want this dealt with. No mistakes.
"I called you in for another matter of concern as well. Why were you residing with Romi Lutton?”
It was only a matter of time until he found out. His blue eyes have an edge to them, and I know if I displease him with my response, he’ll most likely remove one of my fingers for it.
“I’m currently staying at my brother's house. However, I was living with Romi for a short while. I met her at Lorenzo and Lily’s going-away party. A room was advertised, and I took it.”
His gaze narrows. “She confronted my wife about our organization right around the time you started staying at Lorenzo's. I won’t be dealing with side shit surrounding one of Ara’s friends again. It only got me into trouble with my wife when your brother did the same shit.”
Interesting. So, more than likely, Romi has questioned Ara about their business. I wonder if she’s done the same with Lily and Lorenzo. If she has, I’m sure Lorenzo has announced all the reasons why she shouldn’t get involved with someone like me—all of which are true.
“If it’s just fucking, find another woman for a release. I don’t need more headaches because of you Moretti boys.”
“Yes, boss.”
It’s a lie, of course. Because I have no intention of letting anything keep me away from my woman.
“You’re dismissed.”
Luca can only control my life so far. I’m not as malleable as my brother. I’ll always prioritize Luca’s safety, but at no point will I let him dictate who I do and don’t fuck. And it just so happens that I don’t want to fuck any woman other than Romi.
I found it strange when Romi wasn’t in her apartment, and neither was Borris. That dog goes everywhere with her. So, when I track his dog tag, I find myself ringing the doorbell to her mother and stepfather’s mansion.
Romi isn’t the type of woman to let me run her out of her own home. She also hasn’t replied to any of my messages, and when I call, it goes to voicemail. When I try to track her phone, it’s switched off.
If she chooses to play such games and thinks I’m a gentleman who will give her space—she’s wrong.
Her mother opens the door and clutches her pearls. “Oh, Dante. I wasn’t expecting you."
Borris jumps out from behind her, and I scoop him into my arms and scratch under his chin.
The best part about this little rat dog is he quickly disarms women.
They get the same glaze in their eyes as when they see a male holding a baby.
That’s precisely how Romi’s mother looks at me now, the previous confusion around my arrival gone.
“I was hoping I might be able to speak with Romi. We had a disagreement the last time we spoke, and it hasn’t sat well with me since.”
“Oh, she isn’t here, dear,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “She’s taken a few days to herself. She didn’t tell you she was leaving town?”
A spark of irritation runs through me, but I keep my expression steady. “No, she didn’t mention that. Is she okay?”
Her mother offers me a sad smile. “She’s getting there. She’s been through a lot, you know.”
“Yes. I’ve been trying to get her to open up to me. She’s not the easiest vault to crack, but I just want to be there to support her.”
Her mother’s gaze softens. I’ve never tried to suck up to someone’s mother, but flattery and charm have always worked in my favor when dealing with women. Except for Romi, who absolutely despises it.
I wanted to play with Romi a little more over the next few weeks, since we live apart, but after a day without being able to reach her in any way, I'm already going crazy. The thought of her not even being in town, close to me… Nope. Over my dead body.
I’ll do everything in my power, including charming her mother, to get her to tell me exactly where my little Cattivella has run off to.
“We all do, dear. You know, I quite like you, Dante.” Ironic, considering that if she knew the true me, I very much doubt she would.
“I can tell you want to look out for my daughter, and right now, maybe you’re the only person she really trusts.
Even if she’s blinded by the fact herself.
She only started opening up, even if just a little, since you moved in. ”
I often wonder about what Romi’s life was like before I entered it, almost irritated by the fact that there was a version of her who lived a life without me bothering her.
When I think about our involvement and reflect on my own day-to-day before her, it’s a blur. It’s a startling realization because the me before her felt so… mechanical.
I’ve always enjoyed antagonizing others, but it’s different with Romi. I’m certain I’ll never grow bored of it—of her.
Oh, fuck.
Just like that, I realize how much I’ve fallen for a woman who can barely tolerate me. Me, an instigating asshole who has only lived for himself, falling for a woman?
I withhold the smile, amused that maybe I am just as foolish as my brother. But I’m certainly not revoking my claim.
“Let me write down an address for you,” her mother says, holding up a finger for me to wait, and my eyebrows rise. I'm surprised how easily she trusts me. I always get what I want, but I shift in the doorway, uncomfortable at the idea that someone might think of me as "good."
I played the role of "good doctor" for so many years, and I hated it. Even though others referred to me as cold and clinical, people simply trusted me because of my profession. Whereas this feels different. I’ve never had someone’s mother offer a full-hearted trust to do well by their daughter, and I’m the last person anyone should have such faith in.
She returns and offers me a slip of paper. I open it, immediately understanding. The countryside, where she's from. Of course. Her mother takes Borris from my arms.
“I hope you can help her. She used to have so much fire in her before Lorraine’s death.”
I offer a small smile as I say, “Trust me, your daughter still has plenty of fire left in her. Thank you for this, Mrs. Granger.”
A light blush streaks her cheeks as she waves me away. I quickly stride across the white cobblestone path back to my bike. Apparently, my woman thinks she’s allowed to go on a little vacation without me. And that is absolutely unacceptable.