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“But that decision falls under your jurisdiction and is not why I’m calling.”
“No?”
“I want Leonas to see how things are done in different cities. I’m sending him to Minneapolis for the entirety of August so you and Pietro can show him your ways to do business.”
Surprise filled me. My cousin Leonas was fourteen. Of course, he had already been inducted at thirteen. He would become Capo and couldn’t wait until he was fifteen or sixteen like some others. “We’ll show him the ropes and keep him safe.”
“He’s quite adept at protecting himself, but he’s also very cocky and boisterous.”
I knew of Leonas’s troublemaking ways but not everything, I was sure. Dante would make sure the worst didn’t become public. “We’ll keep him in check. Will he live with my parents?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sure Mom is ecstatic to have someone to coddle again.”
“She lost you and Sofia both in the same month.”
“Maybe Leonas will make her glad the nest is empty. No offense.”
“No offense taken. I’m very aware of Leonas’s nature.”
“The question is by what means do you want us to keep his nature in check,” I asked carefully.
Dante cleared his throat. “There are certain limits I’m not willing to cross due to Valentina.”
Of course. Dad too had been limited by how he could punish me by Mom’s love for me. “But those limits aren’t ours?”
“They aren’t. But obviously, he mustn’t be harmed in a way that won’t heal.”
“Of course not. I like the little shit a lot, so that will prevent that from happening anyway. The same goes for Dad.”
Dante chuckled again. “Little shit? You realize he’ll be your Capo one day.”
“And by the time he’s Capo, I’m certain he’s a man I’ll respect too much to remember I ever said those words.”
“He will be.”
We chatted more about the details of Leonas’s stay before I hung up. Having Leonas in Minneapolis added another problem to my shoulders, but I couldn’t refuse Dante.
In my registration for a tryout session, I hadn’t mentioned my last name out of worry that they would give a flimsy excuse not to have me there. The name Mione was notorious in Minneapolis after all.
So when I entered the reception area of the dance studio with Leo and another bodyguard, the eyes of the tall woman behind the counter grew wide, and so did the eyes of the handful of gathered customers who also waited for the ballet lesson.
I flushed. In many eyes, recognition flashed up. Samuel’s and my wedding had filled the tabloids for several days. I moved toward the lowered counter and smiled. “I’m here for the tryout session.”
“Emma… Mione, I assume?” the woman said in a sharp accent.
I nodded, trying to ignore the whispers that arose behind me. Leo stepped up beside me while my other bodyguard walked around, checking every room.
“Not the female changing rooms!” the woman shouted angrily.
Leo leaned forward on the counter, baring his teeth. “Then I suggest you tell whoever’s in there to leave so he can check it’s safe.”
The woman stiffened, but she did as he said. I could feel more heat travel up into my face. Maybe that was why it was better not to do courses in the outside world.
I looked around uncomfortably. A young man gave me a smile. His gait was a little off as if his knees were stiff. “I’m Albert. Natalya is a great teacher.”
I smiled in turn.