Page 11 of A Murder of Crows

“To drinking until we can’t feel our faces,” she announces.

I shouldn’t. I should stay alert. Ready.

But it’s been a fuckingday. So I clink my glass with hers.

“I’ll drink to that.”

Chapter six Domenico

Climbing the steps to Cat’s living quarters, I’m stopped by two men melting out of the darkness. My hand drops, but then Nicolo’s face appears in the dim light, and I relax, pushing the gun back into the holster underneath my jacket. “Boys.”

And boys they both are, even if Nicolo is a senior soldier now. I appointed him myself, and oversaw his training. He’s working out well so far.

And he proves it, stepping into my path as I go to move past him and Drew. “Sorry, Dom. She doesn’t want to be interrupted.”

Well, now.

“Careful now, soldier.” My words are quiet. “Remember who you’re talking to.”

Drew blanches, but Nicolo stands his ground. “I’m sorry. But she gave me the order herself.”

And Caterina outranks me. My head turns towards her door. “Why?”

I get my answer a moment later. The low thrum of bass echoes out, the pulse of music accompanied by two silhouettes in the window.

My entire body locks up. “Who.”

It’s not a question. It’s a fucking demand. Drew and Nicolo exchange glances, and my blood heats up. I will put them on their fucking backs and fuck the hierarchy.

If she’s up there withhim—

Luckily, Drew blurts out the answer. “Amie.”

My whole body relaxes at that, and it’s enough to tell me that I’m really in fucking trouble. Shoving the thoughts away, I purse my lips. “Call her.”

When Nicolo hesitates, I yank my phone out myself with a curse, hitting her number.

The two men shift on their feet as the phone rings.

And rings.

For fucks’ sake.

Ending the call as it goes to her voicemail, I level them both with a look. “I’m her enforcer,yoursenior, and I need to speak with her. Get in my way and I’ll put you on night patrol for the next three months. Fridays and Saturdays.”

Drew groans, but Nicolo draws himself up. He swallows, but he still meets my eyes. “I’ll knock and ask.”

I shouldn’t want to punish him for doing exactly what I’ve fucking told him to do. Waving him away with a grunt, I cross my arms and eyeball Drew. He blanches. “How’s your training going?”

He grins. “Good, I think. The new routine works better for my knee. Thanks, Dom.”

Nodding, I watch as Nicolo knocks hesitantly. Too quiet to be heard over the music, but then he knocks again. Two hard smacks that send the silhouettes in the window flying apart. Onemoves out of sight, and light spills out as Caterina yanks the door open.

“This had better be fucking good, Nicolo,” she snaps. It would be petrifying, if it wasn’t for the hiccup at the end.

Rolling my eyes, I push past Drew, taking the last of the steps two at a time. “Take pity on him. I need to talk to you.”

She sways a little as she looks at me, and Nicolo seizes the opportunity to slide away, back to his post. Leaving me alone with her.