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“He’s out.” We both know what that means… mob work, do not disturb.
“No wonder he hasn’t called all day.” I’ll never understand why those two pretend they’re not fucking madly in love. One day without contact and she’s ready to organize a search party. Not my business, as long as they both do their jobs.
“Why? Something wrong?” Gabriella hesitates. “Tell me. Luca can help, but I can eliminate the problem before it becomes a threat.”
“Christ, Dom, is killing your first instinct, or do you get off on murder?”
“Gabriella.” My voice carries enough warning to make lesser people piss themselves.
Her shoulders sag. “My father left a message saying Emmanuele’s in the city. He wants me to have dinner with him.”
“Per l’amor di Dio—please don’t tell me you went to dinner with thatstronzoand broke my brother’s heart. He’s a man, but he’s pathetic where you’re concerned.”
“Do I look stupid? I’d rather stab my eyeballs with a scalpel.”
“Emmanuele was in the city,” I admit, feeling a twinge of guilt for not telling her. Then again, she made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the man her father sold her to.
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“No, because he was here to see me.” Gabriella stiffens, betrayal flashing across her face. I don’t owe her explanations, but she’s saved our lives more times than I can count, and Luca would die for her. More importantly, I don’t want to see her hurt on my watch.
“You’re giving me away, aren’t you?” One of the perks I offered when she signed on as my doctor—no Giovani could touch her, and as long as she works for me, the Grimaldi family can’t either.
“I’m not giving you away,” I assure her, glad Alessa isn’t hearing this conversation. “He was here on Commission business, representing your father. He flew out the next day.”
“On behalf of my father,” she scoffs. “He did it, didn’t he? He chose that Grimaldi bastard as his successor.”
I can only shrug. Fabio Giovani is one slipperyfiglio di puttana—unpredictable, unreadable, dangerous. I don’t know if he sent Emmanuele to torture Gabriella or if he really picked him over his own sons.
“He won’t be a problem,” I promise. “Neither will your father. Fabio respects the Commission too much to cross lines. It’s why he tolerates our arrangement. It’s why he hasn’t moved against you.”
“I’m not scared of my father,” she admits, eyes shining with unshed tears. “I’m scared of Emmanuele. He doesn’t follow rules. He could go rogue any day without consequences.”
“Are you sure about that?” I challenge. “He’s a bastard. I could walk into his estate right now, put a bullet in his skull in front of the Commission, and they wouldn’t blink.”
“Then why haven’t you?”
“Because it’ll be more satisfying if you do it yourself.”
Gabriella opens her mouth but stops when the bathroom doorknob turns. She quickly straightens, wiping her eyes as Alessa emerges.
“I’ll have Luca call you tonight,” I whisper. “If Emmanuele contacts you in any way, you tell me immediately.” I step back as Alessa approaches.
Mingya. Even in those smoke-damaged clothes, she’s stunning. Her hair’s a tangled mess despite her attempts to tame it, making her look even more fuckable. It reminds me of how she looks after I’ve had her all night—thoroughly claimed.
She’s barefoot as she returns to the bed, eyes narrowing as she studies us, sensing the tension lingering in the air.
“So,” Gabriella clears her throat, checking her watch. “I’ll be on my way. Surgery in thirty minutes.”
“Thanks, Gabriella,” Alessa says with a tired smile.
“Of course.” Gabriella gives me one grateful look before walking out, her worries about Emmanuele seemingly forgotten.
“What was that about?” Alessa asks, frowning as she reaches for her heels beside the bed. I move faster, dropping to my knees before her. I pick up the first shoe, sliding it onto her foot, my fingers brushing against her skin. She watches me silently, neither pulling away nor encouraging as I fit the second heel. The moment feels heavy, charged with things neither of us is ready to name.
“Luca hasn’t called her all day,” I answer, which isn’t a lie, just not the whole truth. Alessa’s been through enough without taking on Gabriella’s problems too.
I rise once her shoes are on, towering over her as she looks up at me. I should stop smiling around her. It feels wrong, this comfort, with the Commission situation hanging over us.