Page 48 of Damon

But even as I study the surveillance photos, part of my mind is calculating possibilities. What would happen if I told Roberto the truth? What would happen if I asked for his permission to court his daughter officially? Whatwould happen if I tried to turn this disaster into something legitimate?

The answer, most likely, is that I'd end up dead.

But maybe not. Roberto needs me right now. Needs my resources, my connections, my ability to protect his family from whoever's hunting them. Maybe that need would outweigh his rage about what I've done to his daughter.

Or maybe he'd kill me slowly and find another way to solve his problems.

My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. It's Tommy.

"Boss, got an update on those surveillance photos."

"What did you find?"

"Facial recognition came back with a hit on one of the guys who tried to grab the Bonacci kid. Leandro Manzo."

The name sounds familiar. "Related to the Manzo guy who died in the attack on Roberto's compound?"

"Brother. Turns out the dead Leandro was working security for the Bonaccis. This Leandro works for the Verga family."

That gets my attention. The Vergas have been quiet for months, staying out of the territory disputes between our family and the Bonaccis. But they'd benefit from both families weakening each other. Using our feud as cover to eliminate both sides would be exactly their style.

"You sure about this?"

"Positive. I'm sending you the file now."

My phone buzzes with an incoming email. I open the attachment and study the photos. Leandro Manzo, 34, multiple arrests for extortion and assault. Known soldier in the Verga organization.

This changes everything. Now we have a name.

"Tommy, I want surveillance on all Verga properties. And get me everything we have on their current operations."

"Copy that. Anything else?"

"Yeah. Double security on the safe house. And keep this between us for now."

I hang up and stare at the photos. Leandro Manzo doesn't know we've identified him, which gives us an advantage. But it also means Viviana is in more danger than any of us realized.

My phone buzzes with a text from my father:Family meeting at 2 PM. Updates on the Bonacci situation.

I type back:Will be there. Have new intelligence.

Then I sit back and try to figure out how to protect Viviana, while dealing with my own family's questions about why I'm so invested in keeping Roberto Bonacci's daughter alive.

Because the truth that I can't stop thinking about the way she felt in my arms, that I want her again despite knowing how dangerous that is, that somewhere between protecting her and fucking her I've started to care about what happens to her, isn't something I can tell my father.

Or anyone else.

I look at the ceiling, where I can hear her moving around in her room, and make a decision. The Verga threat changes the game, but it doesn't change what happened between us. If anything, it makes it more important that I figure out how to handle this situation without getting us both killed.

Because losing Viviana isn't an option.

My phone rings and Bosco's name flashes on the screen. Maybe he’s found out something that can help me stay alive.

“Tell me you have good news," I answer.

"I have news. Whether it's good depends on your perspective."

I close my eyes. "Give it to me straight."