b126 /b

    GIANNI

    Warehouse Fire: Three Structures “Total Loss” Says Fire Chief

    The headline leaves me grinning in grim satisfaction, a grin that widens once I begin scrolling through the fiery images taken overnight. Damn right, they were a total loss. I’m not ying games here.

    Tucking my phone away after perusing the headlines, I head to the kitchen for a fresh coffee. The breathtaking image of mes against the night sky ys at the edges of my memory and warms my heart. I’ll be looking through those photos again before the end of the day, no doubt about it. What must Jack have suffered when he realized there was nothing he could do?

    How did you like it, you bitch?

    My heart stutters on entering the room, lighting me up with hope for a brief moment before I’m disappointed.No Caterina. No Tatiana.Not that either would speak to me if they saw me. It doesn’t mean I can’t hope to catch sight of them and maybe exchange a word or two. They’ll bothe around eventually, Caterina most likely first. I’ll lose my fucking mind if she doesn’t.

    It was one thing to be without her when she was at Charles’s; when I knew better than to try to approach her. I have no doubt the man would have pulled a gun if I set foot on his front porch. It was my own personal torment, asking myself what she was doing, where she was, or if she was safe.

    I don’t have to worry about that now, with her here.

    It was hard before, but now it’s worse. Her proximity means I must concentrate harder than ever to stay away from her. The amount of self–control it took from mest night not to kick in the bedroom door, throw her over my shoulder and bring her back toourbed where she belongs, was excruciating. It would’ve been so easy to tie her down the way I did before- even told myself she liked it and had convinced myself that’s what she’s trying to get me to do now. That all she wants is for me to assert my dominance the way I did initially.

    It’s a nice little fantasy, but I couldn’t give in the way the old Gianni did. Giving into my baser instincts would only make things worse. I need to deal with it like a logical person would, not a psycho, even though my love for Caterina is borderline psychotic. Unfortunately, this means I’ve hardly slept the past week, but I’ve had plenty of work to keep me busy.

    Moroni is lucky he lost nothing more than a trio of warehousesst night. The time I need to fill,bined with my murderous attitude, could very well leave him with nothing by the time this is

    overb. /b

    “Did you see the headline?” It’s the first thing Roger asks when we cross paths on the way to my office. He can’t pretend the news didn’t thrill him, and I wouldn’t ask him to. He may shy away from showing that side of himself, but we both know the beast is lurking right below the surface.

    I shake my head, clicking my tongue in mock sorrow. “I did. They’re saying it’s a total loss.” “Did you confirm the payment went through?”

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    “I did. Our firebug friend will be pleased.”

    “He’ll be even happier once we move to ‘phase two of the n and need him again.” Setting my coffee down, I open the document wepiled between us. I can check off step one now, knowing the warehouses have burned to the ground and all the items inside along with them. It’s low–level, and I know it won’t hit Moroni in the wallet as hard as it will hit his pride. He can afford to lose pallets of stolen goods, electronics, clothing, etc. This was less about money and more about sending a message.

    He wants to y dirty? I’m already in the mud, waiting for him.

    “I have a few things to discuss with you, but Costello called me directly this morning and fucked my ns.” When I look up from the checklist, Roger’s wearing a sour expression. I’m used to nothing less when ites to Sebastian.

    I need his shit like I need a hole in the head. “I don’t have time for an impromptu meeting. If he’s not happy with our offer, he can cry about it while sucking my dick.”

    “He was fine with that. He said there’s been a change in ns–sounded almost manic.b” /b

    “A change in ns? These aren’this ns to change”

    “He’s probably worked up because those warehouses were supposed to go to him.”

    “Considering nothing’s set in stone, he’s crying over spilled milk.”

    All Roger does is smirk, lifting a shoulder. “You can tell him that when he gets here. I’ll stand back and watch.”

    “He’s young and will soon realize it was nothing except a strategic move.‘

    “I agree, but you can be the one who exins that to him. Nothing I say to him will leave much impact.”

    “Fine, fine.” I wave a hand, hardly giving a shit what the kid thinks he’s owed. Considering he hasn’t done anything yet to earn what he believes should be his, he has zero room toin. And we’re fully manned, otherwise?”

    “We have double the guards on duty at the club, at the restaurant, at the warehouses, and all of them are working six–hour shifts to ensure they’re fresh in case something goes down.”

    “}

    ((

    It doesn’t feel like enough. We knew when we went into this that Moroni would be chomping at the bit to get back at me, however, having men working in shifts at my various businesses doesn’t leave me feeling secure. “I’ll ask Sebastian to provide additional men to keep an eye on things. “If he’s trying to change ns because he’s pissed over what he thinks he’s owed, I doubt he’ll feel génerous..”

    “He doesn’t have to feel generous. He only has to care about his own self–interest.”

    Our eyes meet when the phone rings, and we both know who it is without looking. I pick up the phone and tell Henry to let Sebastian through. “I didn’t think he meant he was on his way already,”

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    Roger mutters, shrugging into his suit jacket.

    “He’s young and impatient. It’s not a surprise.” Frankly, I’m d for it. Every moment I spend without something to upy my mind is a moment spent in agony. Where is she? What will she do today? Has shemiserated with Tatiana yet? For all I know, this could be what brings them back together, something for them to rte over. They can join together in their hatred of me and everything I stand for.

    Roger steps out, and I assume he means to greet Sebastian. Instead, he gets no more than a few steps from my doorway before his voice rings out. This is unusual. Guests don’t normally show themselves to Mr. Rossetti’s office without being greeted first.”

    “Can we please drop the bullshit?” I look up from myputer in time to see Sebastian shoulder past Roger before marching into my office. Usually, he’s the definition of collected, almost annoyingly so, though not today. Today, his eyes glitter like a man who stumbled over a gold mine. Roger’s right. He looks as manic as he sounds. “Been here before, and I’m not some beggar looking to kiss the ring.”

    I sit back, hands folded, sizing him up in a single nce. “You’re in quite the mood today. To what do I owe the pleasure of you strolling in here without waiting to be greeted?”

    “I’m here to make sure you don’t hear chatter and get the wrong idea.”

    I blink, waiting for more. When he merely stares at me, his shoulders rising and falling as he jogs from the car, I lift my brows. “Care to borate?”

    “The warehouses. That could only have been a message.”

    “A message to Moroni. Not to you.” Why do I feel like we’re speaking two differentnguages?” Why would I send you a message?”

    He blinks rapidly, stammering, color rising in his cheeks. Roger observes all of this from the doorway, frowning in puzzlement. “I thought… I mean, I assumed you heard and wanted to take away part of what you promised me.‘

    ”

    I didn’t promise a damn thing. It was an offer. This kid still has lessons to learn, but I’m more concerned with what he’s hinting at. Lesson time can wait. “What are you talking about? Sit down, for God’s sake, and take a breath.”

    He rakes both hands through his hair before sinking into a chair. “I had nned on telling you, but since he hasn’tmitted either way…‘

    “Since who hasn’tmitted?” The hair on the back of my neck is beginning to lift. I’ve never enjoyed being thest to know.

    “I’ve been attempting to negotiate a deal.” He draws a breath, grimacing. “With Moroni.”

    “You what?” Roger makes a move for the gun I know is tucked in his waistband. A slight wave of my hand signals him to stand down, which he only does reluctantly.

    My blood is simmering, and everything around me begins to go red. “I’m giving you a chance to tell

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    +15 bBONUS /b

    me what you’re ying at before you learn what happens to people who go behind my back,” I murmur, fighting for control over the rush of rage brought about by the mention of the man’s

    nameb. /b

    “It’s not what you’re thinking. I have a n.”

    “Really. It sounds more like you’re double–crossing me.”

    “If it’s a double–cross, he’s the one getting fucked. His gaze bounces to Roger like he’s looking for support–he might as well try to get blood from a stone. “It’s not what you’re thinking, I swear. I had nned on sharing this with you, although as I said, he hasn’tmitted. He’s dragging his feet.”

    “On what?” I grit out.

    “I know how to hit Moroni where it will hurt a hell of a lot worse than anything you pulledst night. And when he agrees to my terms, you can have him.”

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