Page 52 of The Bonventi Secret

Her name sends an unexpected jolt through me. I clench my jaw. "She's here with me."

Marco nods. "About her. Gio and I were talking. We don't care who you share a bed with, but honesty between brothers matters."

I stare at him. "What the hell does that mean?"

"You say it's all business, but I saw the way you were looking at her. It's my job to read people, and that's not just business, Zo."

I take a long sip, welcoming the burn over Marco's words.

"It's not like that," I mutter, but even I can tell the words are untrue.

"Oh? Then what is it like? Because it looks like you're getting attached. That's new for you."

I sigh, rubbing my chin. Damn Marco and his perceptiveness. He's always been able to read me better than anyone. "It's complicated. I didn't expect to feel this way. I thought I could keep it all separate."

Marco laughs. "The great Enzo Bonventi, sent into mayhem by a woman. Never thought I'd see the day."

I glare at him. "Don't mock me. This isn't a joke."

He raises his hands again in a placating gesture. "Hey, I'm not judging. Just observing. But you've got to admit, it's a far cry from what you've always preached. 'No love in our world,' remember? Your words, not mine. I will admit, it's refreshing to see you feel something other than your cold, calculated ambitions."

I turn away, the memory of those words, spoken so confidently in the past, now feels like they were said by someone else. "I don't know. She's different. Intelligent, fierce, passionate. She challenges me."

Marco is silent for a moment. "Are you falling in love with her?"

I laugh. "Love? No, I don't believe in such foolishness. But I..." I trail off, struggling to find the words.

"You what, Zo?"

I clench my fist. "I want her. To possess her, keep her by my side."

Marco nods. "She's your Emilia."

I look at him, remembering how Emilia almost cost Marco his political career.

"Well, not like—" I start.

"No, of course not. But remember how she consumed me? Look, Gio would say love is a liability. But not loving is a weakness too. If you don't think she can be your partner in everything—business, life—then get rid of her. She has to be in the trenches with you, as supportive as Gio or I are. Will she?"

Fuck.

"Hell if I know. I mean, I—" I pause. "Dammit."

Marco places a hand on my shoulder. "Figure it out, brother. And prepare for anything the Rossi family might do."

I clench my fists. "I'll protect this family at all costs," I growl, finishing my whiskey. "They won't touch her. I'll burn this whole fucking city to the ground before I let that happen."

LIVIA - 19

"Have a good night," I say to Antonio as I exit the dining room. He's my favorite person who works in the house. Once Enzo left, he came in, and we chatted for a good 15-20 minutes. I welcomed the distraction.

His diversion from my mind fades, however, as I make my way back to the suite. The dark thoughts and what-ifs take hold again and spin in my mind.

Valentina's diary has laid out some serious Oedipus Rex type shit that rattled me, only unlike Sophocles, her words are true.

I mean, I guess I don't know for sure, but I strongly believe in a woman's intuition—it's never misguided me. So if Valentina had her suspicions about her own son killing his father, there has to be some truth to it. Even if he didn’t physically do it, maybe he ordered it.

The mafia orders murders, right?