Chapter 44
LORENZO
Luca sits behind his desk, watching me carefully.
A few days ago, I planned on giving him a different answer.
To tell him I couldn’t leave Manhattan, all for a woman who didn’t even want to talk to me at the time. Now, having her in my bed, in my house, fills me with male pride. But that doesn’t mean the business stops.
In fact, Lily choosing to come with me, to have a fresh start herself, has in every aspect been favorable for me, because denying Luca and his demands is unheard of.
“And Lily will go with you?” He frowns. “I’m not sure if my wife will be pleased by this.”
“Lily advised me Ara had wished her luck and said, and I quote ‘if you’re happy, then I’m happy,’” I reply.
Luca squints at me, as if I’ve grown a second head. “I never understood that saying. The only thing that makes Ara happy is me.”
“Of course, sir,” I agree, knowing better than to not.
Luca stands and takes two glasses from the cart beside his wooden desk. “It’ll be different not having you around here,” he says as he pours two glasses and offers me one. “But you’re the only one I trust enough to conduct business on my behalf.” He raises his glass, and I tap mine against his.
“It has been my honor serving you, and I look forward to bringing you immeasurable profit. Though I can’t deny that I have my doubts as to how things will be run here without me.”
Luca kicks up a devilish smirk, then takes a sip. I don’t like that smile at all, but I follow his action, taking a mouthful of the smooth whiskey.
“About that. I found your replacement; someone who is competent and has a thirst for blood.”
My eyebrows furrow. “I thought you wanted someone to stick to the shadows while doing your work.”
He shrugs. “I appreciate a sharp mind and profitable advice. Though he’s younger and still needs to be trained. So, until he’s ready, Tony will take your place.”
“And who is this replacement?” I ask, a sickening taste follows the victory swallow.
“He’s standing behind you,” Luca says with a wicked grin.
I slowly look over my shoulder, having not heard or felt anyone creep up, and every fiber of my being freezes.
“No.”
“It’s been a while, big brother,” Dante says with his hands casually stuffed in his pockets, an arrogant, virulent smile spreading across his lips.
“Over my dead body,” I bite as I storm toward him.
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” he says rather smugly.
“No, you promised me you’d finish your schooling to be a surgeon.” I tower over him.
“He’s advised he needed to take a permanent break,” Luca says from behind. “I didn’t take you for the coddling type, Lorenzo.”
I pin him with a glare. Because, despite my loyalty to Luca, he knows that it was born out of loyalty for my younger brother and the desire to offer him a better future.
“I promised to bloody my hands, knowing it would fund yours to be better, to do better. To save lives instead of take them. You promised me you’d take this seriously. ”
Dante raises a brow. “I have. I'm at the top of my class, and I already have offers from some of the top hospitals. What can I say? I’m an opportunist like my big brother, and I like to see who the highest bidder is.”
“Out of the question.”
My brother takes another step forward, coming to my side as he clasps his hand on my shoulder.
“You never asked what I wanted. You just charged on with your life instead, thinking you painted the perfect one for me. But you and I aren’t so different, Lorenzo. I’ve had quite a few years to work up the appetite of wanting to shed some blood. Finally, I can do it while being paid.”
I grab his forearm, no longer caring if I might offend Luca. “I forbid you.”
Dante smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Much like it hasn’t since our childhood, but this man is far from the boy I left in Italy to pursue his new life and studies. He yanks his arm out of my grip, surprising me with his strength.
“Congratulations on the promotion, brother. I heard you’re also loved up. I hope she’s a sweet little thing.”
My gaze narrows on him, and every hackle in my body rises as I turn and size him up. “Stay away from Lily.”
He laughs then, actually wiping a tear from his eye. “I have no interest in your affairs, brother. I simply wish you the best. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think this is a job interview.”
I turn back to Luca, who isn’t interested in our strangled family dynamics. I know better than to confront Luca head-on, because he does what he wants, when he wants, and years of loyalty don’t simply cease.
“The Morettis were raised to serve the Armanis,” Luca states matter-of-factly, then looks up from his desk. “That did not stop at you, Lorenzo. If your brother willingly chooses to be here, then so be it.”
My jaw tics. I know full well Luca would’ve been the one to put all of this into motion. But I also know him better than anyone else. He’s sharp, and besides the incident when he was courting his wife, his instincts have never failed him.
“You may leave us now,” Luca says, and my brother looks over his shoulder once more, giving me a small wave with a shit-eating grin.
Fuck.
It’s an honor conducting all of Luca’s business in Italy, replacing his former second and advisor. But acid churns in my stomach, not at all agreeable with this change.
Because my brother is the devil in disguise.
And placing a wild card like him beside Luca might certainly set Manhattan alight.