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A white baseball cap shields his head from the sun. Wearing a white cotton T-shirt, shorts that fall just below the knee, and flip-flops, he looks like a tourist. His right hand is in his pocket as he surveys my home, seemingly counting something on his left hand.
But I have a bigger problem than the stranger in my yard. It’s right in front of me.
“You’re just in time for pie,” I say as if I’d been expecting Severio. “Come in, come in. This is Romeo, Gio’s deputy, who’s working out of Dad’s office today.”
Severio remains unmoving, as if I hadn’t said a word. He’s staring at Romeo, and Romeo is staring back. I tug Severio’s elbow.
At first, he doesn’t move, but when I tug harder, Severio turns his head toward me. His blue eyes are glacial. Clear, cunning, and completely devoid of emotion. I release his elbow and swallow.
Romeo offers his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Severio stares down at the offered hand, and when I think he won’t shake it, he smiles like a shark might smile at a piece of flesh sinking from the surface of the sea. He clasps Romeo’s hand. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Severio steps away and bends toward me to plant a kiss on my cheek. “I’m visiting with my aunt. What are you doing here in the middle of the day while my uncle is away?”
Romeo blushes at the question. For all intents and purposes, I’m a married woman, and while I’m not Severio’s aunt, his answer puts Romeo in a position where he’s the intruder. He’s not. He’s been at my house more times than I can count, and Severio is the intruding party.
“I…” The implication of infidelity and wrongdoing makes Romeo stammer. “I was going to work here.”
“Why?” Severio asks, then kicks the door. It slams closed.
Romeo swallows.
“Your friend is still outside,” I say, mentioning the man I saw in the yard.
“That’s my hitman,” Severio says.
Romeo blinks, frowns, probably wondering if he heard him correctly.
“Severio is joking,” I say.
“I’m not. Ask him.” Severio opens the door wide enough for Romeo to walk out if he wants to.
“Hey, Drago,” Severio calls the man, and the man climbs the steps and leans against the doorjamb, ignoring both Romeo and me.
“Tell this bird what you do for me,” Severio says.
Drago sizes up Romeo while his hand moves to the back of his pants. I’m a quick study, and I’ve got Corrado to thank for knowing what the gesture means.
I grab Romeo’s hand and start to drag him outside. Once we’re in the yard, I shake him by the shoulders. “What is wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with me?” He points at the men. “The most-wanted crime lord is threatening me with his hitman. I’m calling the police.”
I gasp. “Please, Romeo. Leave. Leave the town, the island, and forget you were ever here.”
Romeo looks from me to the men and then back to me. “Come with me. Right now. It’s broad daylight, and you have cameras around the house. They can’t touch us out here. Let’s get out of here and never come back.”
There’s no place the Order won’t find me. “Go, Romeo.”
Something sinister passes over his expression. It’s the same expression as the one he wore when he pinned me against the wall. I don’t think he knows what to do. He’s scared, and fear makes people do things they regret.
“You’re coming.” Romeo starts to drag me toward the street, but Severio materializes in front of me. My face hits Severio’s chest at the same time as I hear a pop and something thudding onto the ground.
In Severio’s arms, I freeze. “Dear Mary. Dear Mary. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did.”
“Romeo just wanted to help me.”
