Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 724(@200wpm)___ 579(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 724(@200wpm)___ 579(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Taviano?” Stefano asked. “Ricco?”
Both men added their assent. Emmanuelle and Mariko did as well.
“I don’t have a vote anymore, but I agree with Giovanni, Stefano,” Eloisa said. “You might make them famous, but on the other hand, if they are so stupid as to commit crimes on camera, they’re incriminating themselves to the cops and providing evidence. Just make certain in the contract with them it states that the film will be permissible to be evidence.”
Taviano was so shocked, he nearly fell off the couch. Looking at his brothers and Emmanuelle, he could see they were as astonished as he was. Their mother never praised them, least of all Stefano. No idea any of them had was a good one. Stefano, she seemed to want to crush every bit as much as Emmanuelle.
“Then I’ll make a few phone calls,” Stefano said, his expression exactly the same. There was no telling by his face or his inflection what he was thinking. “We all have to inform the families that we’ll most likely be under scrutiny again after so many Demons were found with their necks broken. We’re not tied to these deaths in any way, and there’s no way to connect us, but there are rumors that continually surface about our family, and that means an undercover will be looking to infiltrate and try to find a way to prove we’re somehow involved. Our greeters can’t in any way make mistakes. That’s more important than ever.”
Eloisa leaned forward just a little more intently. She was the greeter for the Chicago Ferraros. Since Phillip was gone, the family relied on her. “I need to talk to you about that, Stefano. We do need help. I’d like to put out the word to the family to bring in greeters to give me some time off, if you don’t mind. You’d have to interview them with me.”
Again, there was a shocked silence, although Taviano was looking at his older brother’s face and there was something in his eyes that told him maybe this revelation wasn’t altogether unexpected.
“Of course, Eloisa,” Stefano said smoothly. “I’ve wanted to get you help for some time. It’s too big of a responsibility for one person. Now, with the threat of more scrutiny, I think we should take a break for a short while and regroup. All of us should, but that has to go before the council. The world is a much smaller place than it once was. We all deliver the same signature kill. That has become noticeable to some law enforcement officials worldwide.”
“Even in our families, few know of the riders,” Eloisa pointed out. “Not even close family members. Only those with direct responsibilities, or spouses. Sometimes not even spouses. Once in a while someone in the family wants to go into law enforcement, and we are supportive of that decision, but we are extra careful around them. Riders are protected at all times. They serve on the boards of the banks and hotels and are given jobs that take them all over the country and out of it, so no one thinks anything about them traveling.”
“Or playing hard,” Giovanni added. “Our cover is solid, that isn’t what Stefano is saying. There isn’t a need to panic. He’s saying to be cautious, and he’s right.”
Elie nodded. “The council has to hear about what’s happening and the fact that law enforcement will be investigating us thoroughly.”
Eloisa sent him a sharp glance but refrained from saying anything. Technically, he wasn’t a Ferraro, although he spent all of his time with them now. He rotated in with them and worked under Stefano’s authority. When he wasn’t working as a rider, he took jobs as a bodyguard, which Stefano objected to. Often, on his days off, he and Emmanuelle went to dinner or clubbing. Both liked to dance, and they were seen together out for pizza or they came to Stefano’s on family night. Most importantly, he was a member of the famed Archambault family. Eloisa had a high respect for them as riders and held their bloodline in the highest esteem. More than anything, she wanted an alliance between the two families.
“Yes,” Stefano agreed. “I’ve already spoken to Alfieri, and he was arranging a conference call for later this evening so that all members of the council would be able to be on.”
“Alfieri is our uncle and a member of the international council,” Taviano whispered to Nicoletta.
Stefano sank back in the chair. “That brings us to Nicoletta. She accompanied Taviano and me to the Chicago Demons who were coming to aid Valdez, or rather attempting to. I wanted to observe her. Already, just working with her, training her over the last couple of years, each of us had, including Elie, written reports on her. All of us had come to the same conclusions. No one had ever seen anyone like her. Reflexes were faster, learning curve, hand-eye coordination, the way her body reacted to the shadows, it was all very similar to Elie’s.” He indicated Elie.