Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
I tried to figure out if he’d told the truth, but I didn’t want to make a bigger deal out of this than it was. Nevio had probably seen hundreds of girl panties in his life. Why would he care about mine?
“I walk our premises alone all the time,” I said, then wanted to kick myself. If Nevio wanted to spend more time with me alone, I should be the last person to argue.
“Strange things happen all the time,” Nevio said ominously.
We left the studio together and strolled over the lawn toward my home. Two windows were still illuminated, the living room where Dad or Mom were probably still waiting for my return, and the other was my bedroom window.
“Will you and the rest of the trio go out tonight?” I asked curiously. It wasn’t even midnight yet, so I suspected they still had something more entertaining to do than watch sleeping girls.
Nevio looked up at the night sky with a sly smile. “I think the night is ripe with opportunity, so yes.”
I wondered if that meant they would head to a club or go out on one of their raids. The first time I’d realized what they did at night—or the basics of what they did—I had been utterly devastated and shocked, though I wasn’t even sure why. Dad had always told me that the Unholy Trinity was dangerous—not for me, thank God—and that I shouldn’t let them pull me into their trouble. I followed Nevio’s gaze up to the sky, wondering what exactly drew him to the night, to the darkness.
“I like how peaceful nights are,” I said softly.
Nevio smirked. “Of course, you do, Rory.” He drew in a deep breath as if he was sniffing the air for a trail. “I like how much potential for havoc the darkness holds. The same night sky, two very different perspectives.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I nodded. Once again, it felt like a simple conversation attempt had brought even more distance between us. The back door to our patio swung open, and Dad waited in the doorway.
Nevio tipped an invisible head. “Where’s Massimo?”
“At your mansion,” Dad said and motioned for me to come in. I stepped up to his side. “Thanks for taking me home.”
Dad glanced between Nevio and me. “Always the gentleman,” he said dryly.
Nevio grinned at him, waved at me, and left. Soon, his tall form disappeared in the shadows.
“Carlotta is up in your bedroom with your mom.”
“Okay,” I said with a tired smile.
Dad was watching me in a way I couldn’t quite place, and I was too tired to try. Trying not to embarrass myself in front of Nevio had taken enough out of me.
When I arrived at my door, Mom just pulled it shut. “There you are. Carlotta is getting ready.”
Mom pressed a kiss to my cheek, and I slipped into my bedroom. I turned off the main light in favor of my dimmed down night-light, then I perched on the windowsill. It didn’t take long until three shadows moved across the lawn, dressed in black. They carried backpacks, and Alessio wore a black balaclava. A shiver passed my spine.
“I don’t know why they have to do this at night when they’re already doing so much for the Camorra during the day,” Carlotta murmured when she came up behind me.
I’d often asked myself that question too. “Maybe it’s the thrill of the forbidden.”
“I wonder if this is more Nevio’s doing, and Alessio and Massimo just join him out of solidarity.”
I pursed my lips. “Alessio and Massimo aren’t innocent bystanders either.”
“I know,” Carlotta said softly, but I could hear that she disagreed.
I had been surprised when Mom and Dad had agreed to let me go to Roger’s Arena on a fight night. For a long time, even my argument that Davide had been allowed to go for a while had seemed invalid in comparison to their need to protect me. Dad was overly protective of me, but in this case, I was certain that Mom had been the one who had been against it more. She loathed the cage fights and was anxious weeks before Dad’s fights. They had become less frequent in recent years, but on occasion, he and the Falcone brothers still showed their strength in the cages.
“Are you sure you don’t want to ride with us?” Mom asked again as I put on my favorite white sneakers in our entry hall.
“She’ll be fine, Leona,” Dad said with a hint of amusement. “Let her soak up the pre-fight atmosphere with the trio.”
Mom sank her teeth into her lower lip. “I’m just worried they’re already too caught up in their fight mode and will be reckless.”
“It’s a short drive, and I’m sure Massimo will be the one driving.” Dad went over to Mom and grabbed her shoulders, rubbing them lightly. “Relax. You’re tenser than on my fight nights.”