3. Emilio
“ T here is absolutely no way I’ll let you choose the first dance song. Fuck, I’m not sure we’re even having dancing. What’s wrong with just having the ceremony and then telling everyone to get the fuck out?” I glare at my supposed best friend. “Why don’t you focus on your wedding instead of mine?”
Huffing, Benjamin rolls his eyes at me. “Because one, you’re getting married first. Two, it’s to the Head of the Martelli Family. And oh yeah, finally, I don’t trust you to do this right! If you don’t think I already have a scrapbook full of ideas for my wedding, you don’t know me well. But, right now, it’s focus on you time. Which…first dance? Let’s listen to some of these songs. I think we can find one that works, that isn’t common.”
Groaning, I bury my head in my hands. I’d love to kick him out of my office, but he knows I would never do that. Which is why he fucking ambushed me in it. At least he brought me coffee. Still, is it too much to ask for someone needing to be tortured? Other than me by listening to these sappy as fuck songs…
I’m almost overjoyed when there’s a knock at the door. Flashing what I hope is an apologetic look at Benjamin—from his facial expression, it did not work—I stand up to see who needs me. Opening the door, I’m stunned to see Marcus standing on the other side, covered in blood.
“What’s going on?” I ask slowly. “Do I need to call for a medical team?”
Marcus blinks repeatedly before staring down at himself, as if he doesn’t realize he’s covered in blood. “Shit. Fuck, I forgot. It’s not my blood. But it’s worse.”
It’s only because I value Marcus, and that he’s another one of Master’s Boys, that keeps me from stabbing him. Well, that and the fact I’m technically not allowed to be armed in the house anymore. “What do you mean it’s worse?”
Taking a deep breath, Marcus eyes me carefully before stepping back slightly. “Il Padrone is missing. I received a call from one of our soldiers, who glimpsed Il Padrone’s bodyguards being taken out and Il Padrone thrown into a car—no license plate. I immediately went there, and once I ascertained it was true, I headed here. The uh… blood is from one of the guards who was still alive at the time. He didn’t make it.”
“You didn’t think to call me?” I don’t hesitate to close the distance and punch him. I’m about to hit him again when Benjamin tackles me from behind and pulls me back. I’m stronger, but I don’t want to hurt him, so I let him take control—for now.
“I was five minutes away. That’s why I was called. There was nothing you could’ve done. I wanted to personally tell you what happened instead.”
I yank myself out of Benjamin’s arms, growling as there’s no other fucking outlet for this anger. I don’t agree with Marcus’s approach, but I can’t disagree that this is news best told in person. But, fuck! Breathing deeply, I focus on what needs to be done.
“Alright, I want all of the soldiers looking for him. Immediately. That’s your job at the moment, Marcus. Benjamin, get all the Boys here. No excuses. And for fuck’s sake, I need all of the video footage from the surrounding area. Because we’re going to get our Master home, and I will burn the fucking world down in the meantime.”
“Yes, Boss,” Marcus snaps out as he turns to leave. I know he’ll rejoin us when the rest of the Boys get here, but I can’t help stumbling at his words.
“What the fuck? Why did he call me Boss?” I whisper to Benjamin, who is taking this all in silently.
Swallowing, Benjamin eyes me like I’m a wild animal—fair point right now. “You’re Allesandro’s Second. You know how it goes in this Family. When he’s unavailable, you’re in charge.”
I make it back to my desk on shaky legs, dropping into my chair as I try to adjust to that news. I cradle my head in my hands, trying to block out Benjamin and every fucking thing. “I can’t do that. There’s no way.”
“You were picked as his Second for a reason. Or are you telling me that Luca should still be here?”
Snapping my head up, I glare at my friend, who merely raises his eyebrow at me. Muttering a few curse words, I can’t ignore his accusation.
Sighing, I stand and gesture for him to follow. Leaving my office, I head towards Master’s instead. Entering without him feels wrong, like an invasion of his trust.
Grinding my teeth, I sit in his chair, the Martelli Family Crest proudly displayed behind me. Benjamin’s nod of approval helps loosen the tension in my shoulders slightly. Still, my hand shakes as I reach for the phone.
“What are you doing?” Benjamin asks before I can grab it, and part of me is relieved.
“I need to make two calls. One to Luca. If, for some reason, Master’s cousin found out Luca is a plant, it would let us know who is behind this. And if that isn’t the case…I need to call the Amatos.”
Before I go any further, I make sure it’s recording as I put it on speaker. It only rings a few times before it’s picked up.
“Hello?”
“Luca. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
“Lio? What the fuck?! Why are you calling me right now? You know you’re supposed to wait.”
“Yeah, well, I’d do that if Master wasn’t missing. I’m wondering if that means you fucked up and Sergio put a hit out on him.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? Of course not. But what do you mean Il Padrone’s missing? For how long? What’s being done to track him?”
“It’s recent. And we’re working on everything. Which is why I’m checking on you first. Since I have more duties to get through, we’re done.”
“Wait! I’ll be in as soon as I can get a flight.”
“Don’t bother. You know Master would want you to keep in place. I’ve got this.”
“Fuck you. You haven’t been Second for long. You need me. I’m working for his cousin anyway, so I’m sure he’d understand if I need to come back.”
“Don’t you dare tell him Master’s missing. You know better! We will not look weak.”
“ Of course I’m not going to tell him. I’ll think of something. I’ll send you a message for when to pick me up.”
The line goes dead and my jaw drops in disbelief. What. The. Fuck?
Exchanging incredulous glances with Benjamin, I tap out a message to Antonio. I want it confirmed where Luca is and when he comes in. There’s too much that I don’t know. I need to make sure that Luca isn’t actually lying. And I hope to fuck he comes up with a good enough excuse to leave Sergio, considering he’s supposed to be “learning” under him, even if it is a ruse.
“Well, that was lovely. Let’s hope the next call goes better.”
“Why are you calling them? We have a truce.” Benjamin leans back, getting more comfortable in the chair I usually sit in. It’s the traditional Second’s chair, and it feels so fucking weird to be on this side and see him there.
“I need to know if there’s been any odd movements going on. Whoever took Il Padrone wouldn’t stay in our territory.”
“Do you really expect them to know? I mean, it would fuck the truce completely.”
“They may not know of a plan to take Il Padrone, but it doesn’t mean they haven’t noticed anything unusual.”
“And if they have?” Benjamin leans forward, bracing himself. “You’re not going to do anything stupid, are you?”
“What? Like burn their lives down? Would I do that?”
“To get your fiancé back? Yes.”
“I’m glad you know me so well. Now, which one of them should I call? Since I’m acting Head, do I call Cristian, or do I act as a Second still and call Tennant?”
“Shit. Uh, how about a third option, in case you come off sounding a little…accusatory?”
“Well, throw out a fucking name. God knows they’ve got plenty of them over there.”
Tsking, Benjamin shakes his head. “I won’t tell you to calm down, but you need to get yourself under control. And for fuck’s sake, we’re both large Families. Let’s not insult someone we have a truce with.”
“Shit. Fine. You’re right. So, who do you suggest?” I slump down, wanting this to be over already. My skin itches to do something—anything. To let this tension have an outlet. And that’s not fucking politics.
“To point out the obvious, call Roman. Not only is he Cristian’s heir, but you’re both, to my immense sadness, friends. Which, really, you can do better. After all, you have me.”
I manage a watery chuckle at that, knowing Benjamin is just fucking around to lighten things up. Meeting his gaze, he gives me a nod of encouragement and I reach for the phone again, dialing the number from memory, as I make sure the recorder is on once again…