35. Chapter 35
Dario
“Who knew you were going to the game?” Gio asks as I enter his office. Luca’s already here, standing beside Gio’s desk, ready for his orders.
I stroke my hand over my beard. “I don’t know. The whole fucking family? We had the box available, and they know I like to go.”
My eldest brother’s face grows solemn. “Do you think someone within is screwing us over?”
“No,” Luca states, slightly gruffer than his usual tone. “Family wouldn’t.”
I look at him, unconvinced. Our family is fairly fucked up, and Luca has had a front row seat to it all these years. He knows they’re plenty capable, and if anyone has caught news of Papa being sick, well, they could be after us before Gio starts his reign.
“This doesn’t feel like family,” I admit. “It feels personal. Someone has a vendetta against me.”
“I get it’s your car, but you wouldn’t be the target at the warehouses. That’s the family’s business. Someone’s messing with our weapons and our people.”
I jolt out of my seat, crossing the room.
Something isn’t right. Something isn’t lining up.
I don’t understand it, and it’s driving me crazy.
I should be with Jasmine right now, but somebody out there is trying to fuck with me and mine.
“Then I don’t know, Gio. Maybe multiple people are out to get us.
Hell, I’m surprised we aren’t under attack by multiple families all the time.
All I know is we’ve found devices planted throughout Angelo, that woman was sent to try and plant one on me, and now my car has been hit.
Excuse me for thinking things feel pretty fucking personal right now. ”
Luca walks over and places a hand on my shoulder. I glare up at him, but when he gives it a squeeze, I soften. “Thanks.”
He nods and removes his hand but remains close.
“Well, if this is personal, there has to be a reason why. Have you pissed anyone off lately?”
I hold out my hands as though I’m appalled by the question. “Everyone loves me.”
Luca snorts. Gio pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I mean, I guess I’ve killed a few people lately. Maybe their families?”
“We’ll look into them. Write down the names of everyone you’ve hit in the past six months.”
When I finish the list, I pass it back to Gio, and he whistles. “Shit, baby bro. I think this is more than you’ve killed in your life. What’s gotten into you?”
I shrug, pulling my ringing phone out of my pocket. I can’t help but smile when I see that it’s exactly what has gotten into me that’s calling.
“Mio toro, I was just thinking about you.”
“Dario!” Her voice is panicked, and I’m immediately on edge.
“What’s wrong? Where are you?”
“There’s someone here.”
“Where?”
“In my home.”
I look at my brothers, and they’re on their feet, walking briskly as we work our way through Demone and out to one of Gio’s armored vehicles. “I’m on my way.”
“I really think it’s the same one.”
“I told you.”
“It looks exactly like it.”
“I know!”
“Luca!” Gio hollers. “What do you think?”
Luca walks into the living room from Jasmine’s bedroom and studies the hideous floral couch where Jasmine sits. “It’s the same.”
I smile, knowing I was right about our nonna’s old couch, but it fades fast when Luca opens his hand and tosses at least a half-dozen tiny coin-like devices on the coffee table.
“What are those?” Jasmine asks, her eyes wide as she takes in the sight.
“Bugs,” Luca answers.
Jasmine scrunches her face up, and Gio clarifies. I’m thankful for my brother, as he explains how listening devices have been planted throughout her condominium, because right now, I’m doing my very best to not punch a hole in one of the walls.
I’m in the kitchen, my head in the freezer as I’m literally attempting to cool down, when I feel a gentle press to my back. Lifting my head, I stare at a beautiful pair of hazel eyes with gold flecks. “You okay?”
I take Jasmine into my arms. “I should be asking you that.”
She rests her head on my chest, and I soak in the feeling. “I’m fine. It was unsettling, and I really hate that he’s seen me naked now, but I knew I’d be okay. I knew you would be here.”
I lift her chin so I can look directly in her eyes. “Always.”
My lips pull to hers as if by magnetic force, and I hold her tighter as she melts into me. When we break apart, she runs her hand over my stubble. “I’m sorry I fought this for so long.”
“I would have fought for you forever.”
“You two are gross,” Gio says on the other side of the counter. “Tell us about this Todd guy.”
I walk Jasmine over to the couch, where she sits and explains to my brothers about her former boss. “I mean, I always knew he had something against me, and maybe also something for me, but why would he be in my condo?”
“Did he say anything to you?” I ask, and she shakes her head.
“He gave me that smug smile of his and then left, as though he had every reason to be walking in on me in my own home.”
I’m going to fucking murder this man.
Jasmine continues, “What does he want from me? What is he looking for so desperately that he’s planting devices to know where I am?”
“That’s something we plan to find out,” Gio says, and Luca nods beside him. “We’ve done one last sweep, and I think we’ve managed to find all the devices in the place. Still, it may not be a bad idea if you stay somewhere else for a while until we find this guy.”
“I mean, we know where he works. It shouldn’t be too difficult,” Jasmine assures my brother.
Luca cracks his knuckles. “We’ll find him.”
Jasmine gives him a small smile, and I love that she isn’t scared of the man. “I’ll go get some clothes packed. Do any of you know if there’s a room available at either of the hotels for me to stay in?”
My jaw drops, and Jasmine stares at me. “What?”
“You’ll be staying with me, thank you very much.”
Her cheeks pinken. “I didn’t want to assume…”
“You should definitely assume. You’re staying with me at Angelo.” I scoff, “As if I’d let you stay at Demone.”
Jasmine smiles and kisses my cheek, then heads to her room to start packing an overnight bag.
Gio lifts an eyebrow at me. “Are you sure you’re ready for a roommate?”
“Of course I am,” I insist.
I’m ready for everything with her.