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I woke not knowing how much sleep I’d gotten the night before. I knew it wasn’t much, and given the numerous times I’d woken, I wasn’t surprised that I was feeling a bit groggy.

Groggy or not, the mouthwatering aroma of bacon was enough to rouse me for the day. I sat up, turning toward Luka, my Samoyed, who was eyeing me with a look of concern. Given the smell of bacon was wafting through the house, I was surprised he’d remained by my side.

He laid his head on top of my lap, and I reached out, stroking his fur as I said, “I’m okay, bud. It was just a bad night of sleep.”

He looked up at me, unconvinced.

Giovanni entered the room, whistling a classic jazz tune as he offered me a freshly brewed mocha.

“Your timing is perfect,” he said. “Breakfast will be ready in about twenty minutes.”

“Smells like bacon is on the menu.”

“Yes, it’s in the Mediterranean quiche that’s baking.”

Just what I needed to get the day going.

I took a sip of the mocha he’d given me and then set the mug on the nightstand. “I hope I wasn’t too much of a pain to sleep next to last night.”

“You tossed and turned throughout the night.”

“Sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. Yesterday was a hard one, and you handled it with grace. How are you feeling today?”

Like I’d been flattened by a semitruck.

“I’m tired, and my head hurts,” I said. “I’ll survive.”

“I can get you some ibuprofen.”

He turned, and I reached out, grabbing his hand. “Hey, I know we were supposed to talk about our wedding plans this week.”

“Don’t trouble yourself with it now. We have time.”

I wasn’t so sure.

Time had a way of creeping up on a person until there was no time left.

We were set to be married in five months, and while we were making good progress, there was much to be done.

Our original plan was to have the wedding and reception in New York City, in the backyard at Giovanni’s family’s estate. It was a massive yard with beautiful gardens, the perfect place. Giovanni’s sister, Daniela, my former college roommate, had been helping us with the arrangements.

“Five months will go by fast,” I said.

“I’m sure it will. For now, we don’t need to concern ourselves with every detail, not when you have a case to solve.”

He shot me a wink and tapped a hand to his leg. Luka jumped off the bed, trotting alongside him as they disappeared down the hallway.

My thoughts turned toward our wedding. Everything was well in hand and organized, coming together without any major issues. Still, given I was an overthinker, it weighed on my mind. One thing I wouldn’t be overthinking was the honeymoon. Giovanni was planning it as a surprise, and I couldn’t wait to see what adventure he had in store for us.

I finished the mocha, showered, dressed, and joined Giovanni at the kitchen table. As it took a seat, I noticed he’d placed two tablets of ibuprofen on a napkin beside my plate, ever the gentleman. I scooped them up and popped them into my mouth, washing them down with a sip of orange juice.

“What’s on your agenda for today?” he asked.

“After breakfast, I’ll head to the office to meet with Simone and Hunter. I need to bring them up to speed on the case and let them know how they can help me with it. Then I’ll get in touch with my client, Zoey Morgan. She called me four times yesterday.”

Both Simone and Hunter were former detectives. Simone was also married to my brother, Paul. A few years earlier, when I’d started the agency, both ladies came to work for me.

“Did you take any of Zoey’s calls?” he asked.

“Just the first one. She said nothing of importance, so I asked her to give me some time to interview a few people before I got back to her.”

“How did that go over?”

“It didn’t. She called an hour later. It irritated me, so I sent the call to voicemail, and the next call, and the next. We’re going to need to set some boundaries. If I wanted to be micromanaged, I’d ask my mom to do a ride-along.”

I laughed, and he said, “I have no doubt your mother would jump at the opportunity.”

“She would. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad I took this case. I just hope I don’t off the woman before I find out who murdered her friend.”

We chitchatted through the rest of breakfast, and then I glanced at the calendar, noticing today’s date. “I almost forgot you were flying to New York today for your monthly family meeting.”

“About that ... given what happened yesterday, I was thinking I’d sit this one out.”

“I’m fine. You should go.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am. How long will you be away?”

“Two, three days at most. My cousin Angelo wants to pitch an idea for a new hotel. There’s a restaurant in a prime location in the heart of the city that may be closing its doors.”

“A hotel? I’m intrigued. Has he offered any details about it?”

“According to Daniela, he’s suggesting buying it and doing a complete remodel. I’ve seen photos of the existing hotel. The one thing we all agree on is it needs a lot of work before it becomes his idea of New York’s next biggest hot spot.”

“Does Angelo have a theme in mind?”

“Five-star art deco.”

I smiled, and he added, “Given the ’20s and ’30s are your favorite era, I thought you’d be pleased.”

I was, and my mind was racing with ideas.

“I love it,” I said. “If you all sign off on it, I’d like to make a suggestion.”

He leaned in. “What’s the suggestion?”

“I’d add a classy, hidden speakeasy, requiring a password to gain entry. In terms of décor, I’d fill the place with mobster memorabilia, similar to what they have on display at the museum in Las Vegas.”

“And where do you plan on getting this ‘mobster memorabilia’?”

“We could start by looking in the attic at your family estate. I’m sure we’d find plenty of things in there.”

I’d said it as a joke but knowing there was some truth to it.

“A speakeasy ... not a bad idea,” he said.

“As far as what happened in the past, your family’s business dealings are legitimate now,” I said. “Why not let the past and the present collide and give the customers a bit of history while they’re sipping away on a mint julep?”

“It sounds interesting. I’m just not sure about the timing. I’ve given some thought to expanding my restaurant, opening a second location.”

“Why not open it inside the hotel?”

“Another good idea. I’ll see what Angelo has to say. He hired an architect to draw up his vision for the place. I’ll look it over when I see him.”

“Sounds like he’s put a lot of thought into this dream of his.”

“I agree.”

Giovanni grabbed the napkin from his lap, wiping his mouth. Then he stood, reaching for his plate and mine. “Did you get enough to eat, amor?”

“I did.”

“Good, if you need me for any reason while I’m away, you will call, won’t you?”

I nodded, and my phone rang. Looking at the name on the caller ID, I saw it was Simone. I answered with, “I’ll be heading to the office in about fifteen minutes.”

“Good,” she whispered.

“Why are you whispering?”

“Your client is here, and if she doesn’t simmer down, I’m going to drop-kick her booty right on out the front door.”

“Understood. Hang tight. I’ll be there soon.”