Page 81 of Shadows of Steel

I exhale again, dragging a hand over my jaw. A slight shift in Piero’s stance at the mention of my marriage. “Not in the fucking slightest.”

The conversation moves to business.Mario updates me on the latest shipments, detailing logistics with practiced efficiency before segueing into the ongoing situation with the Albanians. His tone is edged with the quiet brutality of a man accustomed to solving problems with blood.

Piero remains silent, his presence watchful.

I turn my focus to Mario. “Any updates on the fucker?”

He knows exactly who I mean.

His jaw clenches slightly. “Nothing yet. The bastard is good. He knows how to disappear, how to blend into the background. Covers his tracks well.”

Not fucking good enough.

“I don’t want excuses.” My voice drops lower, deadlier. “I won’t let some faceless coward think he can threaten my wife and still fucking breathe.”

Mario nods once. “We’re doing everything in our power.”

I fix Mario with a cold, unyielding stare. “Do more.”

A flicker of discord passes between us. He knows I trust him, but he also knows I don’t tolerate failure. Not when it comes to this.

A beat of silence, then Piero finally speaks. “We’ll find him, Boss.”

My gaze flicks to him. His face remains impassive, his tone steady. I incline my head slightly. “See that you fucking do.”

Without another word, he nods and steps away, vanishing into the depths of the estate. Mario moves to leave as well, but I stop him with a glance. “Stay. Have dinner with us tonight.”

He lifts a brow, smirking. “Didn’t realize you were getting sentimental on me. I don’t want to intrude.”

I let out a slow, amused exhale, the sound laced with darkness. “Since when have you given a shit about intruding?”

He chuckles. “Fair point.”

We make our way toward the elegantly set table as maids begin placing dishes before us. I glance at one of the servers.

“The wine will do.” I say smoothly.

With a subtle nod, she retrieves a bottle from the waiting selection, pouring the deep crimson liquid into crystal glasses, before setting it down and retreating without a word.

A new presence joins us, effortlessly inserting himself into the gathering. Leonardo steps onto the terrace, his usual smirk lingering like a well-practiced signature. “I do hope you weren’t planning to dine without me.”

I allow a faint smirk of my own, watching as he claims a seat near Mario with all the nonchalance of someone who has never had to ask permission for anything in his life.

Mario chuckles, swirling the wine in his glass before taking a sip. “Well, if it isn’t the heir apparent. I should’ve known you’d materialize the moment the food was served.”

Leonardo reaches for a crystal glass, pouring himself a generous measure of wine. “You wound me, Mario. Perhaps I simply longed for my uncle’s company.”

His tone is smooth, but his eyes gleam with mischief.

I let out a quiet scoff, draping an arm over the back of my chair. “Highly improbable.”

He smirks, idly swirling the deep liquid in his glass, watching as it catches the light. “Fair enough. I came for the meal, though I must admit, I was also curious to witness thisnewfound, gentler side of you. Domesticity rather becomes you, zio.”

Mario smirks, amusement flickering in his gaze. “It does, doesn’t it? Never thought I’d live to see the day.”

Leonardo tilts his head. “There’s something almost disturbing about it.” He exhales a dramatic sigh, feigning a shiver as he says the words.

I take a slow sip of my wine, letting the silence hang heavy as I fix them both with a stare. “If you intend to keep your tongues, I’d suggest putting them to better use before I decide they’re wasted on you.”