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“Jesus,” I mutter. “No wonder he’s so unstable.”
“There’s more,” Cecilia says, pulling out another document. “He’s made several attempts to adopt, all rejected due to his mental health history. When he found out about Lou…”
“It triggered a psychotic break,” I finish, the pieces falling into place.
Cecilia nods. “Exactly. He’s dangerous, Angelo. Unpredictable. And now that he’s killed…”
I close the file, my mind racing. “Thank you, Cecilia. This helps. And please, convey my thanks to Don Barrone as well.”
“Of course,” Cecilia replies smoothly, her sleek red hair gleaming in the light. “I hope this information helps. A restraining order might be a good start to slow Jonah down.”
Fee’s phone rings, breaking the tension. She glances at the screen, her brow furrowing. “It’s Nonno. I need to take this,” she says, stepping out of the room.
As soon as the door closes behind her, Cecilia’s demeanor shifts subtly. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, lock onto mine.
“You know, Angelo,” she begins, her voice deceptively casual, “I find itinterestinghow quickly you agreed to owe the Barrones a favor. That's not like you Pirellis. You’re usually so… stingy with your debts.”
I lean forward, my guard instantly up. “What exactly are you implying, Cecilia?”
She shrugs, a picture of innocence. “Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.” Her lips curl into a small smirk. “I just hope you’ll be able to follow through when the Barrones call in that favor.”
The unspoken threat hangs in the air between us. I know Valentino has the upper hand here, and from Cecilia’s smug expression, she knows it too. It grates on me, but I force myself to remain composed. I did what I had to do to protect Fee and Lou.
“A Pirelli always pays his debts,” I say evenly, meeting her gaze.
“Good to know,” Cecilia purrs, just as the door opens and Fee returns.
Cecilia’s demeanor shifts again, all warmth and hospitality. “Well, shall I walk you out?”
As we reach the front door, Cecilia turns to Fee. “Best of luck with everything, Sofia. With Jonah and…” —her eyes flick to me briefly— “Gino.”
Fee stiffens beside me at the mention of Gino’s name. As we walk to the car, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just made a deal with the goddamn devil.
Fuck it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
“Where do you want to go now, Boss?” Marco asks.
“To Genesis,” I respond. “We need to work out the solution to the Gino problem.”
Fee looks at me curiously. “What kind of solution?”
“Let’s wait until we get there. I want you to meet Genesis first.”
When we arrive at the studio, Fee’s eyes widen as she takes in the eclectic space.
“So,thisis the face that launched a thousand ships,” Genesis says as she approaches us, wiping paint on the front of her pants. “I can see why. You’re beautiful.”
I roll my eyes as Fee’s brow furrows in confusion. “Marlowe, Genesis? Really?”
Genesis shrugs. “It’s the first thing that popped into my mind. Sue me.” She holds out her hand to Fee. “Genesis Alvarez. It’s so good to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Fee looks impressed and a bit intimidated. Genesis herselfisa striking figure, with her shaved head and intricate tattoos covering her burn scars. “All good things, I hope?”
Genesis laughs. “Oh, honey, you havenoidea.”
Marco bites back a laugh and turns to look at something interesting on the wall when I pivot to glare at him.
“So, what brings you here again, Angelo?” Genesis asks as she sits on a nearby stool and watches us with interest. “You ran out of here like a bat out of hell to rescue our Italian Helen of Troy.”
