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“In this world, there’s little saving that takes place.”
“But you keep trying, with Giovanni and Nera.”
“They save each other.” Antonio crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. “I’m just hovering. I don’t regret the past. It made me stronger, just like it did for them.”
“Stronger and harder, when it comes to you,” Enzo said. “Though you looked pretty relaxed when you got back today. Even had wrinkles in your fancy suit.”
“I always knew you were jealous of my clothes.” Antonio expected Enzo’s snort. His uncle was more the ‘T-shirt and jeans’ type. He never put much stock in impressing anyone. Antonio smoothed a finger over his lapel. “Are you trying to ask me something?”
“I’ve got nothing to ask.” Enzo rocked back on his heels, staring toward the door. “I like Vespa, though. Especially for you.”
Antonio shook his head. It seemed he’d been sussed out. “Don’t make it something it’s not. We’re fucking.” He let his lips spread wider and tilted his head. “I can explain what that is, in case it’s been so long you’ve forgotten, old man.”
“Fuck you. I still get around,” Enzo protested, even though it was a lie. Antonio kept tabs on everyone, after all. “And stop trying to deflect.”
“There’s nothing to deflect.” When he thought about Vespa, it should have been in a carnal way. Despite not being overly experienced, she had wrecked him in a way few had.
Instead, he remembered the resigned look on her face as she’d said no one liked her. He wondered what expression she’d show if he told her that his uncle liked her.
“Did they tell you yet?” Enzo asked, his tone going soft.
Antonio blinked, having lost his place in the conversation.
“That it’s a little girl,” Enzo explained. “She’s going to be so fucking cute, don’t you think?”
“You mean spoiled rotten, with all of us around catering to her every whim.” Antonio forced a laugh, though he felt anything but happy. He wasn’t looking forward to having a niece. He’d never wanted to be a father himself and saw no place in his life for kids despite his sudden kink about losing control inside a particular woman. Fucking hell. He shouldn’t have found that idea so hot when he didn’t want the consequences of it.
“Their daughter really will be spoiled.” Enzo headed toward the door. He turned back after opening it, studying Antonio again. “Being around Nera has been good for you. It’s softened you some.”
“Like hell,” Antonio muttered.
“Don’t think I missed you developing a crush on her back when she first started staying here.” Enzo rubbed a hand down his face. “I might have had a little one myself.”
Antonio hadn’t been blind to his uncle’s infatuation, even if Nera had. He also didn’t bother denying his brief moment of insanity. He’d considered fucking her to save Giovanni from being saddled with her. Instead, he’d dragged her down to the basement and been blown away by how perfect she was for his brother. That had made keeping an eye on her especially tough. Antonio was used to coveting what Giovanni had.
He had learned self-control over his more toxic inclinations.
Vespa had blown away that self-control that morning. He found he wasn’t relieved to be thinking of the carnal side of her, not when it squeezed both his balls and his chest.
“Nera has a way about her despite her strength. She’s soft and warm.” Enzo looked off into space. “Having another woman in your life who’s not toxic will end up bringing more healing.”
“Vespa isn’t soft, Enzo,” Antonio said, running his hand over the back of his head, very aware of the semi-erection he had in the same room as his uncle.
Enzo’s hand came up, as if hiding a grin. “Funny you should think of her. I was talking about your little niece on the way.”
Antonio kind of hated his uncle as the man strolled out of the office.
He collapsed into one of the chairs. Normally Enzo failed to bait him. His brains really had leaked out along with all his cum that morning.
Dragging out his cell phone, he stared at that stupid thumbs-up emoji. She wouldn’t text, not the night after. That was a good thing. Antonio wanted her too much, and he had duties that night anyway.
His thumb slid over the emoji on the screen. He’d give himself another minute to look at it, and then he’d go to the range to clear his head so he could come up with a plan for getting more information on Barone.
Chapter 14
Vespa had been feeling antsy all day despite the meeting the day before going surprisingly well. Antonio hadn’t treated her any differently among the others. She’d been tempted to text him the night before, but something had come up at one of their warehouses, and the notion had passed. Killing a few leftover Albanians had felt good.
She’d gotten the location of their hideout out of the last one and had enjoyed killing the fuckers there too. She didn’t need all the details about what Beatrice had been through to want to kill them for her. Montrell’s wife was family.
