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The Di Salvos had never had dinner together before Nera had joined the ranks. Picturing the older generation sitting around the dining table boggled the mind. It would have been extra awkward back when Antonio’s and Giovanni’s mothers were alive.
The thought didn’t help Antonio’s mood any.
Enzo wasn’t at dinner that night. He had to dispose of the body. Nera had made fresh pasta for dinner, and Antonio would rag him later about missing out..
Antonio talked the most out of everyone, like usual, and, like usual, he didn’t talk about anything too specific. He just didn’t like the quiet. Tommaso, Nera’s adopted father and bodyguard, helped to fill the silence, his laughter much more authentic than Antonio’s. It boomed in a way similar to Vespa’s bray, as if his enjoyment meant he didn’t care how he sounded.
Antonio wiped his mouth on the cloth napkin, surprising himself by saying, “I ran into Vespa last night.”
Giovanni raised an eyebrow.
Antonio’s smile felt brittle. “Nothing business-related. She was on the prowl, the same as me. I ran into her at a bar playing darts with some office worker.”
Tommaso leaned back, patting his full stomach. “Ah, the bar hookup. I miss those days.” His face fell. He was probably thinking about his former girlfriend. Antonio hadn’t liked her and was relieved when she left their estate on her own. One less potential problem to worry about.
Nera fiddled with her fork. “I’m surprised. Vespa seems all business.”
It was suddenly less of a struggle to smile. “Well, she was striking out with the pretty boy.”
“Really?” Nera shook her head. “I’ve always thought she was gorgeous. And I admire how straightforward she is.”
Tomasso’s expression lifted. He jerked a thumb toward Antonio. “I enjoy watching her go toe-to-toe with this one.” His smile was sly as he eyed him. “She knows how to rile you good.” He suddenly cleared his throat. “I like that in a woman.”
Nera’s eyes softened as she looked at her guardian.
Antonio forced a laugh. “She doesn’t really get to me.” The memory of her riding him hard had him dropping his napkin back to his lap. “I just like to let her think she does.”
Giovanni shook his head. His eyes were calculating as he studied Antonio. “Liar,” he murmured, almost too low to hear.
Antonio’s face heated.
Nera leaned into her husband’s shoulder. “I think so too. Your expression changes when you two argue with each other. You enjoy it.”
Something warm slithered into Antonio’s chest as he realized his sister-in-law had him pegged.
“I bet you made a point of giving her a hard time last night.” Nera’s eyes narrowed on him. “Are you the reason she struck out?”
He was the reason Vespa had come so hard she’d melted. Antonio shifted, his smile remaining in place out of habit. “Is that the kind of man you think I am, Nera?”
She stared right back. “I don’t hear a denial. You shouldn’t poke her too much. Vespa will poke back.” Her smile fell. “I’m glad they were all okay today.”
Antonio didn’t need the reminder. He told himself again that it would be ridiculous to check up on her. A one-night stand didn’t do that. “Vespa’s strong enough to take care of herself and Coronella.”
“And his new wife.” Nera glanced at Giovanni. “What did you think of Beatrice?”
A silence fell as Giovanni considered the question. “No issues,” he ended up saying.
Antonio knew the details of Beatrice Lucchese’s former life, but just because she’d been abused didn’t mean she was a good person. Giovanni’s mother was a perfect example of that.
He’d told Giovanni enough to make the alliance with the Coronellas, but he’d shared the full knowledge he’d gathered through his sources only with Montrell Coronella himself. It had worked perfectly. Antonio had picked up the tidbit about their former arranged engagement and about how the breakup had left Coronella heartbroken, and he’d gambled on it being true by digging deeper.
Information was a currency, and Antonio found it more profitable than any of the other Mafia business they dealt in.
He’d snooped long enough to realize Montrell would be a good ally for Giovanni to have. His reaction to learning about Beatrice’s treatment at the hands of her new husband confirmed it. Besides, not only did they get an alliance from the exchange of information, the Albanians were all but destroyed.
Antonio made a mental note to follow up on where the remaining Albanians had been hiding. They’d been the ones behind the hit at the docks.
Nera’s head moved to rest on Giovanni’s shoulder. She’d been tiring more easily lately. “Beatrice is as gorgeous as Vespa.” Her hand moved beneath the table. “Maybe I should dress better for the meeting with all the families coming up.”
