Chapter Eleven
Antonio
I’m still thinking about tonight when I walk back into the casino.
Not in a soft, polite way, either. In a way that makes my mouth go dry, and my torso tighten like I’m bracing for impact. Long legs. Lush lips. That sharp mouth that acts like it hates me right up until it melts under mine.
I adjust my suit jacket as I cut across the floor, the early-day crowd thinner, the lights too bright for how little sleep I got.
My body feels good—used, satisfied—until a dull pull in my torso reminds me I’m not invincible.
Six months out from taking a bullet, and my muscles still protest if I get too cocky.
I take the employee corridor and head straight for Caterina’s office. Get this over with. Smile. Nod. Pretend I care. Then I go back to thinking about dinner.
Of course I care. This acquisition is important to the family, but today, I can only think about one thing. The rest can wait until next week.
Caterina’s assistant barely gets my name out before the door swings open.
Caterina stands there in a fitted blazer, tablet in hand, expression already annoyed. Roberto is inside, seated, jacket off, looking like he’s been awake since dawn and has his own reasons to be irritated.
“Tio,” Caterina says. “Nice of you to join us.”
“Good morning to you, too,” I reply, stepping in and stepping to her. “You look radiant.”
Despite herself, she smiles and brings her lips to my cheek.
Roberto doesn’t smile.
“Sit so we can start,” he says.
I sit.
Roberto folds his hands on the desk like he’s about to cross-examine me. “Where did you disappear to last night?”
“I didn’t disappear,” I say easily. “I redistributed my time.”
Caterina makes a sound. “You vanished.”
“I stepped away,” I correct. “There’s a difference.”
Roberto’s gaze sharpens. “Antonio.”
I spread my hands. “What do you want me to say? The tour was handled. Everyone was entertained. Nobody needed me hovering like a decorative plant.”
Caterina leans her hip against the desk. “Uh-huh. So you found someone.”
I blink once. “Found someone?”
Roberto’s mouth twitches like he’s restraining a comment. Caterina’s expression turns smug.
“You’re practically floating,” she says, eyes flicking over me with a knowing look.
I tip my head. “Maybe I’m just in a good mood.”
Roberto exhales through his nose. “You’re in a good mood because you hooked up with a woman instead of doing your job.”
“I did my job,” I say, calmly. “And after that, I made a personal choice.”
Roberto’s eyes stay on me a beat longer, like he’s weighing whether to keep pressing. Then his focus shifts to business.
“New intel,” he says. “On the Northstar acquisition.”
I try not to let my mind drift away to long legs and perfect breasts.
It’s not like me to stray like this, and no matter what, they’re relying on me to do my part in this.
I force myself to focus in.
Roberto slides his phone across the desk toward Caterina, then looks at me. “We got some new information this morning about the due diligence lead.”
“Nilsson,” Caterina says, taking his phone.
“Yesterday, they mentioned that her flight was delayed. That’s why she couldn’t make it to the gala,” Roberto continues. “But they didn’t fly in. They drove down from New York, so why did she fly? I got curious.”
“And where was she flying in from?” I ask, already knowing I’m going to hate the answer.
Roberto’s expression stays flat. “Chicago.”
Caterina’s eyes flick up from the phone. “She had a meeting out there?”
Roberto nods.
“Another potential for the acquisition?” I sit back a fraction, the good mood thinning. “Who?”
Roberto doesn’t blink. “A group called Bellandi Operations.”
The name isn’t immediately familiar, but there’s a quick tightening in my gut at his tone.
“I get the feeling that’s not just another bidder,” I say slowly, the pull in my torso reminding me how quickly things can turn.
“No.” Roberto’s mouth hardens. “It’s a front.”
I push out of my chair. “Shit.”
The air in the room has grown heavier. The morning mood evaporates like it never existed.
Chicago mob.
Caterina’s jaw tightens. “They want Northstar.”
“They want to acquire it,” Roberto confirms. “And they’re pitching it as expansion—moving into the Northeast corridor, growing their footprint.”
“They’re trying to buy their way into our backyard with Northstar,” I say, voice flat.
Roberto nods. “And if they get it, we don’t just lose an acquisition. We get a new Chicago organization setting up shop in our own backyard.”
I sit again and lean forward, elbows on my knees now, anger controlled for the moment. “So we stop it.”
“We stop it,” Roberto agrees.
Caterina looks at me. “This is why you needed to be present last night.”
“None of us knew last night, Cat,” I say. “It wouldn’t have made a difference. Besides, I didn’t want to push too hard. They weren’t the easiest bunch.”
“And the due diligence lead will be even tougher,” Roberto says.
“I can handle her,” I say, confident. “Tell me what you need.”
Roberto’s tone turns into command. “Monday. We have a meeting with Northstar. All of us. You’ll be there.”
“I’ll be there,” I say immediately.
“You bring your A-game,” he adds. “This deal needs to happen. It cannot go to Bellandi.”
Caterina’s eyes cut to mine. “And don’t treat Nilsson like she’s just another person you can charm into doing your bidding.”
I let out a low breath through my nose. “You think I don’t know what kind of gatekeeper she is?”
Roberto’s gaze stays steady. “I think you like a challenge. And this challenge has consequences.”
I nod once, slowly. “Understood.”
“Good. Then get your head in the game.”
“Already there.” I look to Roberto. “You tell Luca?”
Luca would not take it well. Oldest brother and Conti family Don, Luca is known for being very territorial.
He wasn’t able to be at the gala last night, as both his wife and daughter were sick, but he’ll want to be informed every step of the way. Especially now.
Roberto’s mouth tightens. “Not yet.”
Caterina’s brows lift. “You didn’t tell him?”
“I just found out myself,” Roberto says. “I’ll make the call after the meeting.”
“You want me there?” Caterina asks, knowing exactly how her father will react to the news. “I might be able to talk him down.”
I nod once, because that’s smart. Luca won’t react well once he hears Chicago mob moving in on our territory.
Roberto looks between us, then gives a short, decisive nod. “Yes. Be there.”
Caterina nods.
“And Antonio,” Roberto adds, voice sharpening as he pins me in place, “Monday.”
I give him a slow smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “Monday.”
“Good,” he says. “Because if Bellandi gets a foothold on this coast, it won’t be a business problem. It’ll be a war.”
Caterina’s jaw sets. “Then we make sure they don’t get one.”
Roberto stands, signaling the meeting is over.
I push to my feet with them, smoothing my jacket.
I walk out of Caterina’s office and don’t look back, grateful I’m not the one who has to make the call that’s going to ruin everyone’s morning.