Page 209 of Lorenzo

That satisfies him enough to look away.

Alessio, however, is still watching me.

“What?”

He comes closer.

“You really think any of this is your fault?”

I look around the room.

My brothers.

Our sons.

The family Marcello thought he could break by taking one of mine.

I understand his grief.

I even understand his rage.

What I will never accept is what he chose to do with it.

“Angelo’s death does not buy him your life.”

It's not an answer. I know that. But it's enough.

He steadies me for a long moment, then he nods.

When we wrap up the meeting and leave, my mind is on Donna.

Donna, who watched me lie by omission and knew immediately that I was doing it.

Donna, who will probably be sitting in her office this morning with coffee beside her and Mocha at her feet, halfway to Marcello Greco.

And for the first time since she said the name Lakeview Logistics, I let myself admit the part that has been sitting there, right under the surface.

I am not worried about what she will find.

I know exactly what she will find.

I am worried about what she will think of me when she does.

Chapter Twenty Six

Donna

By the time I turn onto the street leading toward my office, I have confirmed three things.

First, Lorenzo left his house much earlier than usual this morning. Second, he was absolutely not going into Conti Enterprises early to catch up on paperwork. And third, the black SUV two cars behind me has been following me for the last twelve minutes.

Mocha sits upright in the passenger seat, watching the world through the windshield while I check the rearview mirror again.

The SUV remains exactly where it has been since shortly after I left Lorenzo’s house, far enough back that someone less suspicious might dismiss it and close enough that I have no trouble keeping track of it.

I tap my thumb against the steering wheel.

“Your friend has people following us.”