Page 76 of Sins of the Orchid

“What time is your flight tomorrow?” I asked instead.

“My pilot is taking off at four in the afternoon.”

“I’ll try to come by and see you one more time.”

“What are you two doing?” my cousin Renzo’s voice traveled across the yard, and she instinctively stepped back away from me. I remained in my spot, clenching my fists. The urge to pull her close to me was overwhelming.

I fucking forgot I sent Renzo to pick up documents from the old Bennetti. It wasn’t like me to forget or lose my head. Goddamn it!

Renzo strode over, a smile on his face, but a cautious look in his eyes. He was my consigliere because he was often my reason too. He was reliable and trustworthy, hence why I kept him as my consigliere.

“Hey, Amore,” he greeted. “Are you ready for Italy again?”

“Hey, Renzo.” She offered him a reserved, polite smile. The one she posed with for the cameras. “I sure am. Nothing beats Italy in the summer.”

“It suits you,” he retorted.

She tilted her head my way, a secret smile on her face. “Good night, Santi.”

“Good night, Amore.” Like a queen, she strode away from me towards her father’s house. I couldn’t tear my gaze away and stared at the door even after she disappeared into the house.

Once she was out of earshot, Renzo started his nagging.

“Are you trying to start a war?” he asked in a low voice.

“Mind your own damn business,” I told him. It wasn’t as if Renzo was a saint or something.

“None of them will ever let you have her. You are playing with fire. She brought an end to the feud between our families. Don’t throw it away.”

“Last warning, Renzo,” I gritted out. “Mind your own fucking business.”

He shook his head with disbelief and shoved his hand through his hair.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he muttered.

CHAPTER23

Adriano

“Santi, I want to fucking help,” I gritted out.

I tried hard to keep my frustration at bay. These men threatened Amore. She wasmybest friend, not his. He had no right to keep me out of his hunting. Pà kept shutting me out, hinting to me possibly pursuing life outside of the Cosa Nostra.

Fuck. That.

I loved hustling. It was the best adrenaline. Not even fucking a woman compared to it. And I should know, I got laid plenty.

So, I’d hunt these Venezuelan men with or without him. Since Pà died, Santi had started to include me more, but it wasn’t enough. I should be his right-hand man, included in everything.

“She’s my friend,” I hissed.

“Adriano, this is neither the time nor place.” Santi was frustrated. Since Pà had been gunned down, he had been systematically killing every member of the Venezuelan Cartel in the city.

One by fucking one.

It was fine by me. I had been chasing leads and assisting. But when the admission came that they wanted Bennetti and Amore as well, a switch flipped. His aggression went into turbo mode, and suddenly, he didn’t want me at the front line. It made no sense. He didn’t care about Bennetti that much. And yes, he didn’t want to see anything happen to Amore, but she was my friend. He barely interacted with her, so he should leave protecting and avenging her to me.

“Why am I being kept out of the business? Again!” I spat angrily. “You had no choice in it. Why in the fuck am I being babied?”