25. What Comes Next?
TWENTY-FIVE
What Comes Next?
ALLEGRA
A nna led me up to a spare bedroom hours ago. Up till then, Elena, Olivia, Anna, and I were too wired to sleep until we heard from our husbands that they were all safe. Zano was quick on the phone, simply stating that he and Elio were fine and that he would be by to pick me up when he could. I overheard Anna asking Reno if all the soldiers from Nostra Casa made it home, and based on her relieved expression, I’m thinking they did.
It was then that Elena and Olivia were accompanied back to their home, which is on the same estate property, with their bodyguards on full alert. The Viale brothers take no chances when it comes to their families.
I’m so tired, you’d think sleep would come instantly, but I end up tossing and turning. So when the door creaks open, I jackknife into a sitting position and flip on the lamp on the bedside table.
Zano comes into the room, healthy and safe. And even with weary eyes, he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I scramble off the bed and lunge toward him. He braces and catches me in his arms as I wrap myself around him, burying my face in his neck.
“You’re back,” I murmur.
He kisses my temple. “Yeah, baby. Let’s get back into bed, huh? I need to get some sleep.” He gently puts me down and undresses. I help him off with his jacket and wait for him to finish. He pulls back the covers, the mattress dipping with his weight; his hand snakes out, taking my hand and pulling me down next to him. He curls his body around mine, spooning with me.
“Love you, cuoricina,” he says quietly with a heavy, sleepy sigh.
“I love you more, amore mio,” I whisper. Within seconds, his breathing evens out, and Zano is fast asleep.
Zano is with me, and all is well. I feel my eyes droop, and sleep takes over.
* * *
I shouldn’t be shocked when I look at the time on the clock when I see that it’s coming up to noon, considering we didn’t get to sleep until early morning. I’m even more surprised when I see that Zano isn’t in bed. He’s already dressed and must be downstairs.
I quickly go to the bathroom and do my best to make myself presentable for the day. As I come down the stairs, Anna is chasing Samuele, who is already rushing toward Reno’s office to see his dad.
“Daddy’s busy. We mustn’t interrupt him,” she tells him, reaching out for him to take her hand. Samuele is stubborn and crosses his little arms over his chest, and at that moment, he is a carbon copy of Reno Viale, with the dour expression and all.
I can’t help but laugh. Samuele jerks his head to the stairs and sees me. He runs over and asks, “Can you go tell my dad to come play with me?”
“Hmm, well”—I tap my finger on my chin—“it might be a better idea if you and I play for a while and let your father finish his work. Then once he gets it all done, he’ll have the rest of the time to spend with you.”
Samuele isn’t exactly excited about not getting his way but concedes and takes my hand. I follow him to the playroom. Simona is already there, sitting at the children’s art table, drawing and coloring in her picture book.
“Did you sleep well?” Anna asks.
“Once Zano came home, I slept like a log,” I admit. “I’m sorry I didn’t get up earlier to help out,” I say, feeling guilty because Anna went to bed when I did.
“Simona would have happily read stories in my bed. It’s the mini Reno that has me running in circles.” She giggles, then pulls her son in for a hug. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Samuele breaks loose from his mom and notices that Vic has come into the room. Samuele immediately loses interest in me and his mom and goes to greet him. Vic has always been great with kids and comes down to his haunches as Samuele climbs up on his back for a ride.
“Reno said they won’t be long. Hopefully, things will settle after today,” Anna says. She takes the coffee carafe and pours us each a cup, including Victorio. “We’re going to need plenty of coffee today,” she jokes. “We’ll eat as soon as the men join us. I know Zano is itching to get home. I saw him this morning as he was going into Reno’s office.”
“Do you know what’s happening in there?” I ask, glancing over at the closed wooden door to Reno’s study.
“All I know is that last night all went well, and they’re hoping to have better news this morning,” she replies. “Reno only shares what he thinks I need to know. It’s his way of protecting me and the kids.”
“Zano hasn’t said anything at all.” I sigh.
“He will. I’m sure of it.” Anna goes to save Victorio from Samuele climbing all over him, using him as his personal jungle gym.
Last night, I only cared that Zano came back to me in one piece. Today, I’m curious to know if they found Drake and Spike. Are Victorio and I still in trouble? What happens to Tony? Zano told me all about his situation, and my heart breaks for him. Zano has been forthcoming with what he could share, and we promised to be honest with one another always from the very beginning. I guess I’ll have to be patient.
* * *
Zano
R eno is as impatient as I am, and between the two of us pacing the floor, he’ll need to buy a new area rug soon. We’re not the only ones who are waiting to hear from Raffaele; Dante’s called twice, Sebastian once, and Alessio has called three times. Marco has been silent since we spoke last. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. It doesn’t concern me; however, I can see that Marco was struggling with the decision to let the man they call Eros get involved.
Maybe it’s not only patience that I’m lacking; I’m wired because there’s a bigger and stronger enemy coming for us, and as of yesterday, we didn’t know much more than when we started.
Reno’s phone rings, and he picks up immediately.
“Yes,” he says. Reno usually has more finesse than that, but obviously, not today. “One second,” he says sharply and puts the phone on speaker. “Ready.”
“I don’t know what he fucking did or said, but the guy Marco sent got it all. Drake gave a description, Wan Kwok’s alias in the city, the other families he’s going after, and his last known location,” Raffaele tells us.
“How did he manage that?” I ask, curious to figure out how Eros succeeded when a slew of trained men couldn’t get Drake to talk.
Nero’s voice comes on the line. “Eros has his ways.”
“You were there, weren’t you?” Reno adds.
“Eros has a method, and he does this alone. He told us to leave the room, and an hour and a half later, he came out with everything he could get. Then told us he left a gun with a single bullet in the cell. Not ten seconds later, Drake shot himself,” Nero explains.
Okay, I’m impressed. I want to meet this guy and buy him a drink. With Drake gone, Allegra is safe, and that means Victorio is too. Well, at least from the Skulls. Nostra Casa has to find Wan Kwok and his crew and make sure he’s no longer a threat to the family.
Reno cuts to the chase. “Where do we find the elusive Wan Kwok?”
“He’s in Philadelphia territory, and we have to move fast. An unknown number has been calling Drake’s phone for hours. It could be Wan, and he could be spooked. I’m sending Ivo and our soldiers out to search the underground dive bar where he’s supposed to be staying,” Raffaele says.
“I’ll get the jet ready and bring Dante and Leo with me. Dante can see if he can trace the call from Drake’s phone, and I want to be there when we find the man who’s responsible for creating such upheaval in our lives,” Reno states.
“It’ll take hours for you to get here. We can’t wait that long,” Raffaele responds.
“Start your search. We’ll call when we land and meet you wherever you are.” Reno’s determined to be there, and for good reason. He never leaves anything undone or left to chance. He’s our capo, and he’s going to see this through to the end.
“Fine,” Raffaele concedes. “I have a feeling Alessio will be right behind you.”
“Probably. I’m calling him next.” Reno chuckles, then adds, “At least I’ll get to meet the famous Eros.”
“Yeah, no. When he accomplished his job, he walked out and told Nero he was going home and would be in touch. Fucking disappeared in a matter of minutes,” Raffaele tells us.
“That’s the way he works,” Nero replies, expelling a heavy breath. “He has his reasons.”
“Right. Gotta go get ready and make some calls,” Reno finishes and disconnects. He’s already dialing but calls out to me. “Call Leo. Tell him to get the jet ready, then tell him to pack because he’s coming with me. I want to be in the air in an hour.” He then speaks into the phone, and I can tell it’s Dante because he tells him to get packed and head over because they’re heading to Philadelphia. “And call Sebastian. He needs to know what’s happening.”
Once he’s off the phone with Alessio, I ask him, “Where do you need me?”
“Here. Sebastian is in charge until I’m back, and he’ll need you and Elio. Go home and keep your phone close,” he replies. Reno is stomping through the hall, and Samuele, hearing his father’s footsteps, comes running out to greet him. He scoops his son up in his arms, but his eyes are on Anna. “Dante and I will be back tomorrow latest. We’ll be in Philly.”
Anna doesn’t say a word, but her concerned expression says it all. Reno walks up to her and says in a determined tone, “I’m coming home.” Anna manages a grim smile, but this doesn’t ease the worry lines on her forehead.
Not long afterward, Dante is at the door, and he and Reno are meeting Leo at the private airport. Mom and Dad are staying with Elena while Dante’s away at his request. He doesn’t want Elena alone. Victorio is heading back to Leo’s home to keep watch with the other soldiers and ensure that Lucia is safe, and Sebastian has an army guarding Anna and his family.
It’s my decision to go home to my wife. Sebastian insists that I take some men with me to be on the safe side, and I readily agree. Not for me, but to ease his mind. I can protect my wife, but why upset Sebastian when he has so much on his mind?
Once we’re home, Ally drops wearily onto the couch. Neither of us got much sleep. I sit down next to her, gather her in my arms, and throw the blanket over us. I prop my feet on the coffee table, setting the phone down next to me. All I can do is wait.
What comes next is out of my hands, but whatever comes, Allegra and I will see it through together.