Page 10 of Bellini Born

Dante Greco was a dead man walking.

I picked up my phone to call Enzo when the man himself appeared in the doorway to my home office.

Shaking my cell, I sighed. “Was just about to call you.”

He arched a dark eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”

A rumble vibrated through my chest. “Dante’s a thieving motherfucker.”

Enzo whistled low, a wicked grin curving on his lips. “Been far too long since you’ve gotten your hands dirty, Boss.”

“Don’t remind me,” I grumbled.

Gio was the one better suited to the violence that came with our birthright. While there was plenty of blood on my hands,I would much rather make men bleed metaphorically in the boardroom.

But with my brother gone, it fell to me to make an example of Dante in front of the rest of our casino staff.

I stood from my chair. “Shall we call an emergency meeting? Get this over with before the doors open tonight?”

My cousin’s mouth drew down at the corners. “As fun as that sounds, it’ll have to wait.”

Brows furrowing, I asked, “Why’s that?”

He hitched a thumb over his shoulder. “Car’s out front, waiting for you.”

“Uh . . .” I racked my brain, trying to recall what appointment we had scheduled this afternoon.

“The birthday party that Francesca’s throwing,” Enzo prompted.

I waved a dismissive hand. “The nanny can take the girls.” Was it bad that I couldn’t even remember this latest one’s name?

“According to Teresa, she quit this morning.”

Dragging a hand over my jaw, I muttered, “Of course she did.” I heaved out a sigh, walking toward where my cousin stood near the door. “I’ll see if maybe Teresa can take them.”

“Matteo, it’sBianca’sparty.”

That news stopped me dead in my tracks. “What?” Francesca Russo was throwing my daughter a birthday party? Why?

Almost as if he could read my thoughts, Enzo said, “The capos’ wives are stepping up because this is what they do. When one of our men goes down, they rally around the wife and children of the fallen. They know you’d never ask for help, but they’re looking out for your girls. This is Bianca’s first birthday since . . .” His words trailed off. He knew better than to mention Allegra.

“Right.” I swallowed thickly.

There was pity reflecting back at me in his hazel eyes. “I know you’re hurting, but you can’t skip out on this party.”

Tugging on the back of my neck, I huffed out, “Yeah. You’re right.”

“The good news is Teresa’s got them all packed up and in the car. All you have to do is show up. The wives have everything planned out to a T and will be more than happy to take the baby off your hands once you get there.”

“I, uh, didn’t even get her a present.”

A corner of Enzo’s lips twitched. “It’s my job to have your back. Gift’s already in the trunk.”

“Since you’re already in a festive mood, I guess you’ll have no problem accompanying me.”

His eyes went wide. An afternoon spent around screaming children would be torture for my older cousin. He might love my girls, but they were a rare exception to his feelings about kids.

“Uh . . . I don’t think—”