Page 55 of Laced With Secrets

There was a reminder in those words. Vicente hadn’t forgotten. He was capable of holding grudges. Ice slid down my spine.

“We should go,” I said, standing carefully. “Thank you for speaking with us, Mr. Antonelli.”

“It was my pleasure.” Vicente stood as well, old-world manners intact. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card—elegant, simple, just a name and phone number embossed in gold. “If someone threatens you or your child, call me. I cannot help Thomas now—that time has passed. But I can help you.”

I took the card with trembling fingers. “Thank you.”

“Your grandfather was a good man. And his skill as a calzolaio rivaled Salvatore Ferragamo. You honor his memory, yes.” Vicente’s expression softened. “Thomas would have liked you, I think. You have his integrity, his courage.”

He paused. “His foolishness in pursuing truth over safety.”

It sounded like both a compliment and a warning.

I didn’t fully relax until Penny and I were outside of Bella Vista in the winter cold.

“That was terrifying,” Penny said, grabbing my arm. “He was nice and terrifying at the same time and I don’t understand how both things can be true.”

“He said he cared about Thomas,” I said, still processing.

“He also casually admitted to fifty-year-old mob crimes while complimenting my hair.” Penny’s voice rose. “And did you catch that dig at Dominic and Blake? He’s definitely still pissed about losing all that money.”

My phone rang again. Dominic’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hi,” I said weakly.

“Where are you?” Dominic’s voice was deceptively calm, which was somehow worse than yelling. “You were supposed to meet me at the boutique thirty minutes ago.”

“Since Marcus couldn’t make it, I thought we had time to grab lunch while waiting for you,” I said, then lowered my voice to a whisper. “At Bella Vista.”

Silence. Then: “Bella Vista. Vicente Antonelli’s restaurant.”

“The baby wanted puttanesca?—”

“Leo.” Just my name, but it carried so much frustrated concern. “We agreed that we’d step back. And less than thirty-six hours later, you’re having lunch at a mobster’s restaurant?”

“We didn’t plan to talk to him,” I defended. “But he was there, and I thought?—”

“You thought you’d approach him anyway,” Dominic finished. “Did you at least learn something useful before putting yourself and our baby in danger?”

Beside me, Penny had pulled out his phone and was frantically texting someone—probably Jake, updating him on our near-death experience.

“He didn’t kill Thomas,” I said. “He cared about him. Offered him protection—a new life. But Thomas refused because he couldn’t stay silent about the corruption.” I took a breath. “I think Vicente believes Richard Fairfax sired Thomas’ baby. He seemed bitter that Richard wasn’t strong enough to fight for Thomas. And then he gave me his card.”

“He gave you his—” Dominic made a sound between a laugh and a groan. “You got a mob boss’s personal phone number. Do you understand how insane that is?”

“He said if anyone threatens me or the baby, to call him,” I said.

Dominic was quiet for a long moment. “Where are you now?”

“Outside Bella Vista.”

“Stay there. I’m coming to get you.” His tone shifted to that alpha authority that made my stomach flutter. “We’re having a very long conversation tonight about appropriate risk assessment.”

“Dominic—”

“Stay. There.” He hung up.

I looked at Penny, who was staring at me with wide eyes. “He’s coming to pick us up.”