Page 66 of She Belongs to Me

But had I vetted them out well enough? Anyone could create a false identity.

“We should find out more about what Mattia is doing as well,” Luca suggested.

That was another truth. “As I said, that’s your goal, but do it quietly. The last thing we need is for Mattia to get wind we’re onto him.”

Luca nodded. “I have a couple ideas of how to do it.”

At least I had people I could count on.

“What about Alexandra?” Domino asked.

“What about her?” I heard the immediate bristle in my tone. I had a bad feeling that others had caught it as well.

“Is there any thought she was working with the Greeks? I mean maybe they are behind attempting to capture the cargo shipment.”

It was all I could do not to overreact, but it wasn’t something anyone was used to seeing.

At least with regard to personal issues.

“You think someone got to her and converted the girl who’s been the recipient of hundreds of thousands of dollars after her father’s death? Maybe Adonis is her lover, training her to get close to me so he could easily steal crates of olive oil? Is she going to slip me a mickey, a poison at some point? Should I be worried when she hands me a glass of whiskey?” I knew I was raising my voice the more time that went by.

Both Luca and Enzo were chuckling into their hands.

Domino sighed. “A long time ago you once told me something our grandfather had taught you. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Remember?”

The air in the room was tense and I finally turned away. I wasn’t a fool and I certainly couldn’t start being one now. “Fine. Check her out yourself, Domino. I’ve told you enough about her and her aunt for you to get started. If you find any improprieties of any kind, including a single meeting with Adonis prior to her witnessing a brutal beheading, then come to me immediately. Otherwise, I don’t ever want to hear about this again. Am I clear?”

He could tell I was pissed. “I got it. It’s best to rule out every angle. Don’t you think? Brother? She could be angry with you, even blaming you for her father’s death. Did you ever think of that?”

More times than I could count. I’d never felt it from her, but I’d harbored the guilt close to the chest since I’d held him in my arms.

“I agreed. Now, we need to ensure all the security features are correctly installed, the olive trees and vineyards included. Check on Gio and as soon as you find out anything about him one way or another, let me know. I am going to set up another business meeting with him. One he won’t like.” It was the best idea so far in trying to keep control of the situation, not continuing to be part of the issue.

The men nodded and I was almost certain they were going to salute. This was the rougher side of me and it was necessary as my father had warned me of more than once. Too many things could go wrong, the upper hand grabbed when I was paying the least attention.

As they started to leave, I headed to the bar for one more refresh. I needed a clear enough head in case anything happened. The door closed and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“You like her.”

Domino’s voice served as an irritation and nothing more.

“She’s my ward.”

“She’s beautiful and I can tell you’re different now that she’s arrived.”

I slammed the bottle of whiskey onto the bar. “What are you getting at? Don’t beat around the bush at all, brother.”

“Fine. If your men refuse to be honest with you, I feel someone needs to.” He walked closer. “Since Gregory was murdered, you’ve held the burden of his death as if you pulled the trigger yourself. Taking his baby daughter was a shock to Mom and Dad and to the rest of your family. You had no business taking care of a child. But we came to understand. You supplied money and made certain Alexandra had a decent life. Cool. But I watched you agonize over birthday and Christmas gifts over the years, acting as if you wanted to play fucking Santa Claus. You always had a great excuse why you couldn’t get to America. Business issues or buried in paperwork, but I could see right through you.”

I got in his face. “Since you’re obviously so smart and know me so well, why don’t you put all this into perspective for me.”

“I will. You believed Gregory’s death was your fault in that the bullet was meant for you. Now she’s here and you’re completely unmoored as to what to do with her because it means talking to her, not ignoring the fact she exists other than providing money. That girl might be innocent and need someone in her life. However, being her protector to the degree you’re doing is making you blind.”

Whether or not he deserved the hard punch to his jaw didn’t matter to me. At all. I did so as a reaction, enraged that… That he could see the truth when I hadn’t been able to do so myself.

“Fuck you!” That was all I could say to him. Childish. Impulsive.

Out of character.