Page 80 of My Pucking Crush

Luca

M ax and I ride the elevator in Giancarlo Byrne’s Warwick hotel where he runs his cyber command center from a penthouse. He lives somewhere else with Rebecca Domenico, Sebastien Daria, Anthony Messina, and Julian Russo. They keep that location a secret to maintain their safety. Especially since they have two children.

Holding hands, Max and I step off the elevator. Giancarlo sits behind a set of glass doors on a white leather sofa with a hand-held device, and waves us into his office.

I get a small briefing and then Gian digs into the meat of what happened to Belova.

“I’ve been spying on Ivan’s brotherhood since I knew we were taking in a defector. They’re not happy with him. He won’t be missed.”

This lines up with Ivan’s confession at the black site that night. How trying to kill me turned his people sour and suspicious.

“Now I have his death on my conscience,” Max says with regret. “But he started this, not me.”

“No one’s talking on the channels I used in the past.” I squeeze Max’s hand, already preparing to give him extra care later. “How did Belova die?”

Giancarlo laughs darkly. “It was so easy. Too easy.”

Max stiffens at how someone can take a life so easily. And laugh about it.

Welcome to my world.

“I hired a new specialist who wanted Belova dead as much as you,” Gian says. “Got into his Chicago mansion and slit his throat.”

“Ivan had a wife and kids,” I say.

“His wife hates him,” Gian scoffs. “She’s been in secret meetings with Italian mafia lawyers figuring out a way to divorce him. Claims spousal abuse. Is that a man you want raising daughters?”

“No.” I shake my head. “How the hell did someone outside his organization get into his mansion?”

“Not sure.” Giancarlo shrugs. “But my specialist didn’t even charge me for the job. Only wanted one thing.”

“What was that? If I may ask, Mr. Byrne,” Max asks, showing respect to one of my bosses.

“I was hoping you would.” Gian turns his chair toward me, his hands tented between his legs. “She wanted a plane ticket.”

“A ticket where?” I ask.

“To visit her sister Fina.” Gian smiles at me. “In Miami.”

All the stress leaves my body. Samara is not only safe, but she killed the Chicago Pakhan.

“Does anyone suspect your specialist?” I ask with a tight throat, ready to lose it.

“Nope,” Gian says and smiles at our joined hands. “Maybe you should take a trip down there, too.”

“Miami, huh?” Max strokes my chest.

I pull him in for a kiss. “Sounds like a cool place to have a honeymoon.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Max kisses my hand. “Give me three weeks.”