Chapter 37
EMILY
By the time the sun breaks through the floor-to-ceiling bedroom window, it’s already late.
Lorenzo’s place in the bed beside me is empty, the sheets already cool.
I lie in bed for a moment, the memory of receiving the entrails still sharp in my mind.
I’m not sure what disturbs me most. The realization that they were human entrails, according to the conversation I overheard Lorenzo having with Dante. Or the fact they were delivered to me personally.
Clearly, my life is in jeopardy.
And if the Russians are targeting me to force the Ricci family’s hand.
…that means that Teddy’s life may be in danger too!
I text Lorenzo, asking where he is then dart into the shower.
Ten minutes later, I find Ciro and Gina in their usual positions in the kitchen.
“I saw what happened,” says Gina, coming up to me with concern in her eyes.
“I wanted to talk to you last night, but Lorenzo said you needed to sleep. He didn’t want you disturbed. Are you okay”
“Yes, but what about you,” I say, looking at the way she cradles her stomach. “Lorenzo said that you saw the whole thing on the video monitor. And then your doctor came to make sure you and the baby were okay.”
Gina forces a smile. “The doctor’s visit was just Dante being his overprotective self. Seeing you receive the entrails shook me up, I must say.”
“But how did you happen to see it?”
“I’d just passed by the monitor when I saw you opening the box. Then I heard you scream, then trip and fall backwards. Anyway, come sit and have your coffee.”
“I can’t sit,” I say, glancing at Ciro. “I need to find Lorenzo.”
“I’m right here,” says Lorenzo, hearing my request as he exits his library.
“Thank God!” I crash into his arms, feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth and safety as he embraces me.
“Lorenzo, I realized that if the Russians think they can threaten you by harming me, they can use Teddy in the same way. We have to make sure he’s safe.”
“Calm yourself,” he says in that steady voice of his. “That was my first move last night once I put you to bed. He has two of my best men guarding him night and day.”
“Thank you,” I say, giving him another hug and inhaling his tantalizing cedar cologne.
“But I don’t want the other kids to tease Teddy if they see two big goons following him around.”
“Don’t worry. My men are discreet. I have one dressed in the uniform of the school’s janitor. And the other is positioning himself as one of the gardeners. You can count on their discretion.”
“Thank you.”
I let out a breath of relief and look at Biscotti, who’s been at my feet trying to get my attention.
“You look like you can use a nice walk in Central Park,” I tell him.
Biscotti’s chocolate eyes light up at my words.
“Is it safe for Emily to walk him, Lorenzo?” Gina asks him.
“No! And that’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Emily. You’re not to leave this house without a bodyguard.”
“Bodyguard!”
“Yes,” he says. “I’ve arranged for Ernesto to guard you day and night.”
“My driver?”
“No. He was never ‘only’ your driver,” says Lorenzo. “Ernesto’s a trusted member of my team. Started with my father back in the day. Proved his loyalty over the years.”
Now it all makes sense. I always thought Ernesto to be a little too gruff to be a simple chauffeur.
“Okay. But Central Park is just across the street. Ernesto doesn’t need to accompany me, does he?”
“Yes. Ernesto absolutely needs to be with you every moment of the day,” says Lorenzo.
Then Lorenzo surprises me by leaning forward, and kissing my nose.
I know he meant the kiss to soothe my objections.
But the gesture also startles me. My husband, affectionate in public?
“I was hoping to walk Biscotti in the park before I go to the restaurant. How do I contact Ernesto? How long must I wait to arrive?”
“Here’s his contact information,” says Lorenzo, handing me a card. “You’re his only responsibility so it should be immediate. Call him now and tell him when you’d like to leave.”
Lorenzo disappears into his office, already back to work.
Gina reaches for my hand.
“Thanks for volunteering to take Biscotti on his walk this morning,” she says, turning around to make sure Ciro’s out of earshot.
“Biscotti likes Ciro, but he adores you.”
Biscotti yips and flashes me his little doggy grin, as if he understood what Gina said.
Once Ciro serves me my coffee, I smile up at him.
“Do you mind if I talk with Gina a few moments in private?”
“Of course not,” he says, withdrawing down the hall.
Once he’s gone, I lean close to Gina.
“Did you know that Dante and Lorenzo are in the mafia?”
She nods.
“Does it bother you knowing what they do for a living?”
Gina hesitates. “This world isn’t as simple as good people and bad people.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean Dante’s an honest man. If he gives his word, he’ll die before he breaks it. He protects his family. He protects people under his care. The men who follow him would do anything for him because he’s earned that loyalty.”
She holds my gaze.
“You don’t have to approve of their world, Emily. But before you judge Lorenzo, make sure you’re judging the whole man.”
At that moment, she winces and her hand flies to her stomach.
“What was that? Are you okay?”
“Yes. Just the baby kicking,” she says as Lorenzo comes out of his library.
“Ernesto’s waiting for you downstairs in the lobby.”
“That’s my cue,” says Gina, getting down from the tall stool. She leads me to a neat closet near the door.
“Here’s Biscotti’s leash.”
“Of course it’s pink with faux diamonds,” I say, bending down to put it on him.
“Anything else I should know about walking him?”
“Yes. This, she says, giving me some poop bags and explaining how to clean up after him.
“Have fun. We’ll see you later,” she tells us as we leave the apartment.