Caterina #2
Their shout echoes in my ears. “Until recently, neither could I.” I finally have their full attention. “My mother died when I was nine years old, and last week, my only brother murdered my father so he could take over the family.”
The cousins visibly exhale, and I swear they both lose an inch in height. What a shock to learn that the man who issues your orders could be a cold-blooded, patricidal murderer.
I battle tears as I state my heartbreaking reality.
Regardless, if I hope to get out of this, I need to vocalize my pain.
“Nino’s trying to pass my death off as a suicide because my father changed his will.
He wasn’t dying anymore. He was poisoned, and we’d found the antitoxin.
” I step forward, flexing my hands at my sides.
“Connor Gallagher’s the one who discovered the truth.
He saved my father’s life. Eduardo was recovering, which was why he was able to attend the gala at the Cosmopolitan last weekend. ”
“But Gall—”
“Why would Connor Gallagher kill the head of the Ricci family when he and Finn Gallagher were forming an alliance with us?”
No one has an answer to that question.
I suck in a breath. Maybe this is working. “Nino gave the Roguilins carte blanche access to the Blue Hook Port, which we were planning to open back up to the Irish Kings.” I look directly at Frankie. “Does it track, Frankie, that Connor would then kill Eduardo?”
He chews on his bottom lip, his freckles stark on his wan complexion. “No.”
“Carlo, does it track that Connor would save my father’s life and negotiate an alliance with us only to sneak into his room and slit his throat the very same night?”
He shakes his head slowly, his dark curls swirling around his head.
“You know what this is, right?” I gesture to my silk pajamas and the notebook on the dresser with the suicide letter.
They bow their heads. They do.
“I’m the last obstacle standing in the way of Nino’s reign. He’s silencing me.”
Frankie is the first to meet my eyes again. “What do you want from us, Miss Ricci? We have our orders.”
I exhale slowly. Shit. “I want you to get me the hell out of here so I can stop my brother.”
Carlo purses his lips at his cousin. “But if we get caught, Nino will kill us.”
I put my hand on Carlo’s forearm. “Nino’s not in charge. I am. I’m the head of this family. You take orders from me.”
Neither disputes my words. In fact, Frankie even nods his agreement.
Relief floods my veins. “You’re both armed, correct?”
They open their suit jackets to reveal their holstered weapons.
Veering to my desk, I open my purse. Nino grabbed the will, but he didn’t bother with my gun. “I am too.”
I wait while Frankie and Carlo exchange a long look. Time is an issue, but I can’t have them wavering or second-guessing me.
“Okay.” Frankie approaches me. “What do you need?”
“Carlo?”
“I got you, Boss.” He approaches me too. “What do you need?”
Boss. The title sends a shiver down my spine.
“Give me two minutes.” I set my gun on the desk as a show of faith before rushing into my walk-in closet.
The first thing I do is bra up. As I choose the rest of my escape wear, I can’t help but picture Connor in his jewelry heist costume. I slip into black slacks, a black t-shirt, and a black suit jacket, and pick shoes I can run in, just in case.
Next, I roll my hair up into a loose bun that smushes under a black winter walking cap and inspect myself in the full-length mirror.
I see a woman in mourning, adorned in all black. Or a jewel thief. Or the boss of the Ricci crime family.
If you’re not paying attention to the curves under this suit, I could even pass for an enforcer.
I exit the closet to two surprised expressions that gradually evolve into approval.
“You two really do look like brothers, you know that?”
“Yes, we get that a lot, Boss.” Frankie smiles back. “You look good.”
Carlo cocks his head. “Does this mean we’re walking you out the front door in plain sight?”
“Sort of.” I pluck my gun back up and holster it inside the waistband of my pants.
Then I retrieve my phone from my purse and pocket it.
“You two need to flank me until we reach the stairs to the basement. Then, Frankie, because you’re senior to Carlo, you’ll go down with me.
We’ll be looking for the executor of my father’s will.
If he’s still alive, Nino put him down there, and I may need your help moving him. ”
Frankie grunts. “Understood.”
“Carlo, you report to Nino that I’m all set up here. He’s not going to check on me. I’m not a priority, and he believes I’m a caged animal waiting for its last meal. After that, please grab my car and bring it around to the west gate. Frankie and I will meet you by the underground exit.”
With our plan hatched, we’re ready to hustle.
Frankie and Carlo march half a step ahead of me past the mermaid and down the grand staircase, all but burying my face behind their shoulders. Since they aren’t familiar with all the Riccis yet, none of the Russian enforcers think twice.
We make it to the lower-level staircase without issue, though my shoulders have never been so fucking tight.
It’s business as usual for both these young enforcers, though. If they’re nervous about losing their lives during this ruse, they don’t show it. Not a single sweat droplet forms on either of their hairlines. No tics. No questioning orders. They’re locked in.
At least I can depend on these two when I fully take command.
Carlo breaks off to go report to Nino as Frankie and I take the stairs to the basement.
“Boss?”
I’m not used to the title, so a few moments elapse before I answer. “Yes, Frankie?”
“What makes you think the executor is still alive? Nino was planning on killing you, and you’re his sister.”
“If he’s alive, it’s likely only because there’s another copy of the amended will somewhere that Nino doesn’t have access to yet.”
“Right.”
In the hallway on our way to the cells, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Unknown Caller.
I almost send it straight to voicemail…but a tickle at the base of my spine compels me to answer.
I flip the green icon and hold the phone to my ear.
“Caterina?” the voice asks. “This is Brody Gallagher.”