Page 212 of Fall Before Her Throne

“She’s certainly got enough of them,” the other answered, his Italian accent thick on his tongue.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Anthony flinch, but I gritted my jaw and held my tongue. The only way I was getting through this alive was if I played Greco and kept him more entertained than angry. I doubted he’d be terribly pleased if I killed another one of his men right under his nose.

The man dragged his palms over my body. My gut coiled within my stomach while he searched me, lingering where he shouldn’t for far longer than was appropriate. The touch was repulsive—especially while they all watched, including Greco, and whispered amongst themselves.

“She’s clean,” the man said as he stepped back. “No weapons.”

I let out a breath as I sat back in the chair.

“Check the table,” Greco ordered.

His man searched under my chair, all around the table, and then under Greco’s. There was no hidden weapon waiting to stab him or blow him up. He deemed it safe.

Greco sat down, still watching me with that same detached amusement.

“Don Greco,” I said, trying to keep my tone even and polite, “thank you for meeting with me.”

His fingers drummed on the surface of the table. He folded one leg over the other. “You wish for a surrender?”

I stared at my lap. “I think we both know that you’ve won. I spent the last day in hiding trying to figure out what to do next, and I came up empty. This was the best I had.”

He snapped his fingers, and one of his men cut the ties binding my wrists. I let out a soft gasp and rubbed the aching flesh.

“Why did you do that?” I asked.

He tilted his head to the side. “You seemed determined to believe I am a monster. I won’t kill a man, let alone a woman, with her hands tied behind her back. Even as criminals, we still have our manners, don’t we?”

I gave him the most grateful puppy dog eyes I could manage under the circumstances before I bowed my head in deference. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Rossi walked out of the kitchen, rubbing his hands with a towel. “Ah, signore, welcome. I was tied up in the back. I apologize for the lateness of my greeting.”

Greco gave him a little wave. “Va bene. You’ve done well, Rossi, turning her over to me. I was previously unsure I could count on your loyalty.”

Rossi glared at me. “She tried to fucking kill me.”

I rolled my eyes. “I told you, it was just a misunderstanding!”

He scoffed and turned back to Greco. “Can I get you anything? A glass of wine, perhaps? We have an excellent bottle I’ve reserved for you in the back.”

Greco’s mouth turned down for a moment while he considered, but then he relented. He held up two fingers. “Two glasses, please. Miss Vero may, at least, have a final glass of wine before I kill her.”

Manners, indeed. We only needed him to drink his glass for this plan to work, but I wouldn’t mind imbibing some liquid courage while all this went down.

“Grazie,” I said. “I am a little thirsty.”

We sat in silence while Enzo went back to the kitchen and then returned with two glasses and a gorgeous bottle. He put one glass in front of Greco and the other in front of me. Then, Rossi uncorked the bottle and poured a hearty portion into each glass. “This is one of our premium bottles. I just had it imported from Naples. I think you’ll find it to your liking.”

Greco took the bottle and inspected the label. “Ah! Il mio preferito. This is one of my favorites.” He grinned. “You’ve done your research, haven’t you, Rossi?”

Rossi nodded. “I have an entire case, which I’ll leave with your men. It’s my gift to you—a little taste of Italy to make you feel at home.”

Damn, Rossi was a talented actor. Even I believed he was sucking up right now.

Greco swirled the liquid in his glass. “Signorina, I have to say, this whole situation has just become so messy. It didn’t have to be this way.”

“I’m sorry. I was too proud before.” I shook my head sadly. “I’ve been trying to make a name for myself, and I didn’t realize that I was stepping into the deep end without knowing how to swim. That’s on me. I wish we hadn’t done it.”

He held the glass aloft and inspected the color of the wine. His eyebrows knitted together in a small frown. “I wish we could have worked together. The last month of conflict has been very interesting.”