16. Luciano #2
“My family may have come into this by ill means, but we have proven ourselves worthy within the Italian bloodline. We have made great strides in the past fifty years to clean up this organization. Threatening us is not wise, Alessandro,” Romeo says, his beady eyes level with mine.
“We don’t steal from our own, and the fact that you even insinuate it is disrespectful. ”
I raise an eyebrow at Romeo. “Worthy? That’s not what I’ve been hearing. Shitty guns and low-quality ammo that doesn’t fire properly.”
Something crosses Romeo’s face, but he quickly masks it.
Gabriele runs a hand over his thinning hair. “I will investigate within my organization about your gems as a measure of good faith, but I assure you, if something has occurred, I know nothing of it.”
“As head of your family, whether you know or not, you are still held responsible,” Alessandro says. “We will meet in forty-eight hours. You will either have my emeralds with you or twenty-five million in cash.”
Then he turns and strides out with me following close behind, our men joining one by one.
“Take us to the Royal Aces,” I instruct our driver.
One of our security climbs into the front passenger seat of the SUV while Alessandro and I get into the back of it, Massimo and Gio getting into an identical Escalade behind us.
“You think they took them,” I say when we’re in the privacy of the cab.
Alessandro flicks his gaze to me. “I think they have something going on in their organization and I think Romeo is aware of it. I’m not sure about Gabriele.”
I tilt my head, my eyebrows pinched, as the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip pass us by. “Have you heard something?”
Alessandro speaks with several of the syndicate families who still live in Italy. It’s possible he’s heard something through the grapevine.
“No,” he runs his hands down the front of his dress shirt, “but Romeo’s eyes changed when you brought up the guns. There was something he didn’t like about that topic.”
“I don’t trust them.”
The SUV comes to a halt in front of Royal Aces Hotel and Casino, the neon lights a welcoming beacon for anyone hoping to win big tonight.
“I don’t either,” Alessandro says. “I guess we’ll see what they come up with in forty-eight hours. Until then, we need to let our partner families know.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I offer as we climb out of the SUV, Massimo and Gio joining us as we stride into the casino doors.
We’re met with nothing but noise and smoke as we walk through the colorful gaming floor.
I already texted Kian Savage to let him know we were on our way and asked him to have Lacey with him.
I enjoy surprising my cousin whenever I can.
Even though I hated that she moved to Las Vegas, I’m glad I come here as often as I do; it’s neutral territory for all the American syndicates.
We’re only halfway to our destination when one of Kian’s office staff walks up to us. The woman smiles at me and nods at the other men with me. “Mr. Ricci, it’s good to see you again. Gentlemen. Mr. Savage is waiting for you. This way, please.”
As soon as I walk into Kian’s office, Lacey looks up from where she’s sprawled out on the enormous leather couch in his office, flipping channels on the mounted TV.
“Luciano!” She jumps up and sprints over to me, throwing her arms around my neck and fuck, I wish Fallon were this happy to see me.
One day. She’s just not there yet. I do think she’s starting to understand that I’m not like the men she’s used to, and that I’m not joking about my feelings for her.
My chest loosens as I hug Lacey tightly. “Hey, sweetheart.”
She releases me and then goes about hugging the group of men with me.
I turn my attention to Kian and smirk as he watches his wife hug half a dozen men who aren’t related to her by blood, his gaze narrowed.
“Afraid one of my Italian-blooded men might take her from you?” I ask.
Kian smiles and moves his gaze to mine. “Fuck you.”
We stare at each other for a moment and then both chuckle and reach out to shake hands.
“Good to see you,” he says. “As much as I hate to admit another man made my girl’s night, you did.”
“I know,” I answer, straightening the lapels of my suit jacket. “Glad to be of service.”
It’s fun to fuck with Kian. He does the same in return. Sometimes it feels like a friendship, but either way, Lacey married him, so by that alone, he’s family. Italian blood or not.
“How did your meeting go?” Kian asks, leaning against the edge of his desk with his arms folded, still watching Lacey.
Alessandro, Massimo, and Gio find places to sit, and I follow Lacey over to the open bar in the corner of Kian’s office.
She smiles up at me and pulls out a bottle of whiskey. While she pours drinks for everyone, I listen to Alessandro explain the situation with the Moretti family.
“We’ve never trusted them,” Kian replies. “There were some drugs that came through Vegas. We heard from a source that they came from the Moretti syndicate.”
“How are things with that woman?” Lacey asks quietly.
I smile down at her and shrug. “I’m trying what you said. Sort of.”
Lacey snorts. “So, in other words, you’re still being controlling and bossy, but also trying to give her time.”
“Exactly,” I say then take a long pull of whiskey.
“You should invite her to my birthday,” Lacey suggests. “I would love to meet her. I could tell her what a good guy you are. Oh, maybe she and I can be friends and go out on the town.”
Setting my glass down harder than I intend, I shoot her an exasperated look. “I don’t think the two of you going out on the town sounds like a good idea. That’s trouble waiting to happen.”
A Cheshire Cat smile spreads over Lacey’s face. “Exactly.”