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Isit at my desk as the events of the day replay in my mind like a broken record. The surprise search by police who were unable to conceal their contempt for me. The cold metal from the handcuffs biting into my skin. The feel of dickhead brushing up against me. That memory makes my stomach roil. What really rankles is that my staff, not just Carla but other staff, were witnesses.
I take a deep breath. This isn't the first time I've faced adversity, and it won't be the last. I'm Lana D'Amato, for Christ's sake. I've stared down men twice my size and made them quake in their boots. Let them come. Let them try to break me. They'll find nothing but frost and steel.
My mind drifts to Henry, and I push the thought away. I can't afford to be distracted by him now, no matter how much I want to believe his words. Trust is a luxury I can't afford in this game.
I stand, smoothing out the wrinkles in my skirt. There's work to be done, fires to put out. The D'Amato empire won't run itself, and I'll be damned if I let a bunch of trigger-happy cops derail me.
I power through the day, reviewing accounts, making decisions, and assuring my staff that all is well. At the end of the day, I’m exhausted and all too happy to return home. Maybe I’ll take a long soak in the tub with a glass of wine or two.
I’m barely through the door when I'm accosted by Elio and Matteo. Their grim faces tell me everything I need to know before they even open their mouths.
“We’re going to Rinella’s. You need to come,” Elio announces.
I know why this has to happen, but couldn’t it wait? One look at Elio’s dark, menacing expression tells me no, it can’t wait. Duty calls.
"Give me five minutes to freshen up," I say, already moving toward the stairs.
"We don't have five minutes," Elio snaps. "The car's waiting."
I nod. “Okay.” Wearily, I turn to go back out the door.
“We're not going to let this stand, Lana,” Elio says.
“I know. I’m ready.”
As we drive through the city streets, the car is quiet. It’s a reminder to me of how intense Elio can be. For so long, he seemed to be a softie, especially when Piper came back into his life. I’d forgotten just how menacing he can be.
“Are you okay?” Matteo asks, sitting next to me in the back of the SUV.
Elio turns from the front passenger seat to look back at me. “Fuck… I should have asked that.”
“I’m fine. Pissed off, of course.”
“This is why hanging out with cops?—”
“That cop is the one who stopped what was going on.” I bite my lip, hoping my impassioned defense of Henry won’t give me away.
“Strange, unless it’s a good cop, bad cop thing,” Matteo says.
I have my own opinion that Henry didn’t know those cops, but I don’t say anything.
“I’m looking into all of them,” Elio says.
I turn to look out the window as unease fills me. What will he find about Henry? Will it be something that proves just what a fool I’ve been?
When we arrive at the Rinellas’, I step out of the car, the gravel crunching beneath my heels as I survey Rinella's ostentatious mansion. The tension in the air is palpable. Elio and Matteo flank me, their faces set in grim determination.
We're led into Rinella's study, where he sits behind his massive desk, his underboss standing next to him. Rinella’s expression at our arrival is surprised, but not concerned.
"Ah, the D'Amatos. I wasn’t expecting you.”
Elio doesn't waste time with pleasantries. "Cut the bullshit, Vincenzo. What was that fucking stunt today?”
Rinella's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "What stunt?”
“Don’t play coy. You’re not one to hide your petty pranks.”
Rinella sucks in a breath and stands, his eyes turning dark. “You’re right. If I did something, I’d own up to it. Whatever you think I did?—”
