Page 143 of The Crowned Garza

“Don’t care.”

“Her husband diced him up and served him to her piece by piece.”

Watching the door for Tillie, I mutter distractedly, “Thought she said her husband wasn’t the jealous type.”

“He isn’t… Until he is.”

Only for a second, I bounce my gaze from the door to him. “Are you going to explain to me what the hell happened with Tillie?”

He rubs his jaw. “I have to say, you are full of surprises. How you were able to pull off hiding in plain sight all this time. I was only informed a few years ago about your induction as Crown to the kingmaker, but the other stuff…” He blows out a whistle. “I wondered why the medical team kept calling you ‘Mr. Luciani.’ Did not put it together. Not until I was halfway to a meeting with Donna Luciani.”

“And now you know. Get to the point, Stefano.”

“With the El Depravados in shambles right now, as you know, there’s been a lot of scrambling and posturing for control. Naturally, I have been taking advantage of all these idiots who have no clue how this all works. Making easy money. Donna Luciani, your sister, is one of those idiots. She has ‘big plans.’ Paid me a sweet sum to keep a hostage of hers somewhere they couldn’t be touched. Imagine my surprise when that hostage turned out to be my cousin.”

Blood relation between the Castellos and the Garzas isn’t public knowledge. Given the disparities between the two families, both sides decided to keep their lineage a secret.

Stefano was given sole dominion over Las Vegas by kingmaker Torin Garza, shielding him under The O umbrella. This means the Castellos’ rule over Las Vegas is unshakable, secure, untouchable.

Unless The O says it isn’t.

The Castellos are known for being neutral in wars that don’t involve them. Allies with no one but themselves. Switzerland. In the current climate, with all that’s happening around the collapse of the El Depravados, the safest place to hide or leave something for safekeeping is in Castello territory.

Stefano is undoubtedly making bank off the chaos right now.

Were it anyone else, Iseppa’s plan to leave her hostage in the Castellos’ territory would have been clever. Unfortunately for her, she couldn’t have made a more fatal error.

“It wasn’t supposed to get this far,” I say. “Your cousins’ timing was just…”

“I never get in the middle of other people’s shit, merely capitalize off it. But you are a good ally to have right now, being JB’s new favorite and all. And I’m nothing if not an opportunist. So say the word and it’s done.”

“I handle my affairs myself.”

“That you do,” he mutters.

“Iseppa’s none the wiser about Tillie, is she?”

“Am I a blue alien with double dicks on my forehead and ball sacks hanging from my ears?”

My distracted gaze shifts to him. “You could have just said no.”

He scoffs. “Have you met me?”

Outside in the hallway, swift footsteps approach. My attention snaps back to the doorway, right in time to see her burst into the room.

Hair wet, eyes puffy, body garbed in an oversized shirt and sweatpants.

My heart constricts in my chest.

Mia piccola regina.

She grinds to a halt when she sees me, bottom lip quivering.

Eyes never leaving hers, I dismiss, “Bye, Stefano.”

“Uh, did you forget you’re inmyhouse? How gracious have I been accommodating you in this luxurious suite befitting a king—”

“I’ll pay you five grand a night for the ‘privilege’ of staying here,” I offer. “Andfor you to get the fuck out when I ask you to.”