Page 53 of Thorns of Desire

“Danil Popov is sniffing around the Omertà,” he finally said. “He’s in Paris, asking about Romero and even the Leone brothers.”

“It’s a good thing they don’t know anything, then,” I said. “Have you called Danil?”

“I have, but thestronzoisn’t taking my calls. He had that friend of his, Soren, call me and give me some bullshit story.”

“What story exactly?”

“They’re not conducting any business. Just settling a debt. Now get this,” he sneered. “The Triads are collecting on a debt.”

I laughed, but it was without humor. “If the TriadsorDanil think I’ll let them get anywhere near Athena, they’ll have a war on their hands.”

“Do you think Danil is after her too?”

“He better not be or he’ll lose the Balkans to the Omertà.”

“Soren did say one thing that struck me as odd,” he added.

“What’s that?”

“He said Alexandra isn’t trustworthy.”

Nothing new there.

My cell phone rang and I flicked a glance at it. “Speak of the devil.”

Enrico’s chuckle came over the line. “Don’t fucking tell me Danil’s calling you.”

“That’s right,” I told him. “Allora, maybe we’re finally getting somewhere.”

“Go handle the smug bastard and let me know what you need from me.”

Enrico’s line went dead and I answered my cell with, “What a surprise, Danil.”

“Manuel Marchetti.” His greetings left much to be desired.

“I hear you’ve been snooping around Omertà territory.”

For a moment, the line was silent, and I had to check to ensure I didn’t lose him. “Trust me, Marchetti, if I wanted it, I would have it before you and your idiot members could blink.”

Though he couldn’t see me, I let my lips curve into a malevolent grin. “You could try, but I guarantee you’d fail.”

“I heard you dated an opera singer once upon a time.”

I scoffed. “I sure as fuck hope you didn’t call to chitchat about my dating life.”

“Who you fuck is none of my concern,” he gritted. “You went to see Alexandra Kosta recently. I want to know what she told you.”

Danil might play hardball, but he wouldn’t get shit from me. “She talks a lot, as I’m sure you know.”

“All I know is the woman is a selfish bitch who fucks anything that moves.”

I chuckled darkly. “You seem to speak from experience.”

“I wouldn’t touch that woman with a ten-foot pole. But I don’t think I can say the same about you, can I?”

I drummed my fingers against my mahogany desk. “You need to fire whoever’s feeding you intel.”

Danil had nothing on me. I was telling Athena the truth earlier—her mother and I never had that type of relationship. Whatever his problem with Alexandra was, he could go take itup with her. My only concern was Athena and keeping her out of harm’s way.