Page 81 of Sins of the Orchid

“Yes.”

We strode to the back of the restaurant, and before we reached the doorway, she pulled her hand out of mine and pushed them into her pockets.

“Don’t you fucking dare blame this on me, Bennetti,” her grandmother hissed. “She was never supposed to be in South America.”

“You should have warned her,” he growled back.

I frowned at the odd comment and before Regina could say another thing, Amore cleared her throat.

“Ummm, Dad.” Everyone’s eyes turned to us. Amore took a deep breath in and raised her head high, determination on her face. “I’m going back to Italy to finish my studies and work training.”

“Honey, you don’t have to go back for work training.” Regina surprised me with her reply. “You’ve learned enough to take over.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” She pushed her shoulders back, standing her ground. “I want to take over the business my way and when I am ready. Not when you two think I should.”

It was a bit comical to see her oldest brother’s reaction to his youngest sibling. She had a way of surprising everyone. She had come into her own beautifully, and one day there would be nobody to rival her. She was a strong woman.

Bennetti’s eyes shone with pride and the corner of my lip tugged upwards. This young woman would be a kickass heiress one day. I couldn’t wait to see it from a front row seat.

Regina glanced at Amore’s father, questions in her eyes. “What do you think, Bennetti?”

He nodded. “If that’s what you want, daughter. We’ll tighten up the security.”

“I have my men there too,” I told them both. “I’ll rotate two of my most trusted ones and put them in Milan.”

“DeAngelo and Lorenzo are always with me,” she retorted. “I don’t need to be suffocated.”

“They will be on standby,” I assured her.

After a fleeting gaze my way, she looked at her family. “I’ll follow the protocols,” she promised. She usually did, except when she and Adriano got together.

A cop interrupted at that moment. “Mr. Savio Bennetti, Mrs. Regina Regalè, and Mr. Luigi Bennetti, we need to talk.” His eyes traveled to Amore and me.

I recognized the cop. He was on my payroll. He acknowledged me, then turned his attention to Amore. “And you are?”

“That’s my granddaughter,” Regina chimed in. “She needs to catch a flight. She didn’t see anything as her back was to the window.”

Regina was lying, I could tell by her posture. In my line of business, reading people was a life-or-death skill, so I became good at it. She was trying to protect Amore. Shield her from the cops, questions, or any possible press coverage.

“You don’t need her then,” I told the cop. He immediately agreed. “I’ll take Amore to the airport,” I offered to Savio. They had no other options anyhow. Where in the hell was Vincent?

“Vincent had to run an errand and will meet her at the airport.” Bennetti must have read my thoughts. “He can meet you in two hours. Where is Adriano?”

Now that was a question. He said he’d go say goodbye to Amore this morning and be back. He changed his mind though because he went to my underground casino.

“Busy at the casino,” I told him.

Need to get work done, Adriano texted. Bullshit, he avoided me.

That was fine because when that text came in Renzo and I were just finishing up our torture of a member of the cartel. I could use Adriano’s help and planned to use him in the Cosa Nostra business, but I didn’t want to throw him to the front line. After all, I’d promised Pà I’d always take care of him. He had been keeping him out of our business thinking he would pursue other avenues, but clearly Adriano wasn’t interested in that.

After a round of hugs and kisses, Amore and I left the chaos, and I put her safely into my own car.

“Another new car?” she muttered teasingly, though exhaustion caused her shoulders to slump.

I drove my black Range Rover today. It had bulletproof windows and was usually what I resorted to when doing work.

“More like a work car.”