Page 34 of Enduring Caine
I stared off in the direction where she’d left with Johann and Henri. Was she safe with them?
Cristian continued, “Add to that what you told me about the rumors someone was looking to recruit you? She becomes another liability. Based on how you look at her, it’s clear you’d do anything if someone took her.”
“That’s why she was kidnapped on New Year’s Eve,” I said. “They thought I’d pay to get her back.”
“And would you have?”
My eyes drifted closed. Could any of this be true? Or were they manipulating me into compliance by claiming they were protecting her? If she was in danger from someone inside these walls, I had to keep her away from Elliot—Leo would have a field day if they suspected she was working with the FBI. But if she was in danger from someone else, someone like Pasquale Fiori, I needed to get her to Elliot as soon as possible.
“I would have done anything.” I stepped in front of a bullet for her. Money was nothing. “She and I should leave.”
“No,” said Giovanni. “She’s safer here, where my men can watch out for her, like I trust them to watch over my family.”
Parker seemed to have acted out his own vendetta against Samantha, not one instigated by Fiori. And if he’d been behind it all, why help us in Napoli?
Of course—because the auction was the only crime we’d stopped by then.
“Plus, I’ve arranged for a special surprise for you.” Giovanni’s eyes and smile grew wide again, signaling that the discussion of danger was done. “I got word earlier today that it will arrive on Friday.”
I stepped away from the table, out of Cristian’s comforting grip. “Friday? It’s only Tuesday. We’ve looked at the new studio. I’ve provided my feedback on the blueprints. It’s only two hours away. I can come back later.”
“Friday?” Leonardo began straightening the blueprints, an almost happy energy coming off of him. He seemed excited for this surprise, which didn’t bode well for me.
Giovanni knocked on the table—another of his signals that he was to be listened to and obeyed. “Antonio, you’ve been telling us you’d visitlatersince September. We need to speak more of your father and how you’re going to help everyone open up to my changes.”
I clenched my fist, rather than dragging the hand through my hair. I was taller than him, stronger than him, smarter than him. I could have walked Samantha out the door and never looked back. Not talked to Papa about this, not spared a second thought for these wild conservation studio plans, not subjected Samantha to being followed day and night by some muscle-bound meathead or by her ex-boyfriend.
“You said I was not conceding anything.” Giovanni folded his arms, still smiling, as though he were making an honest invitation and not a commandment. “How about we change your girlfriend’s security detail? So long as you’re not leaving the grounds, you can be the one to accompany her. No other guards.”
Cristian leaned a hip against the carom table. “Cesca wants you to see her artwork. It would mean a great deal to her if you’d stay for that.”
“Excellent idea!” said Giovanni. “I’d like to show your girlfriend the estate, as well. You said she likes art and history, so I thought we could take her on a tour of our artwork on the upper floors of the villa?”
Giovanni had been my favorite uncle once upon a time, just as Cristian had been my idol. I’d only ever said no to them once, when they invited me back after I graduated from my master’s degree. Even with all the times they asked me to visit after arriving in Napoli, I’d always said I’d come later.
I never declined. But I could now.
“No, Zio, I need to get back to Pompeii and—”
He knocked on the table again, and my chest constricted. “This is not up for debate, Antonio.”
“I can take care of her.”
“Sorry, cugino, but you can’t.” Cristian’s hand landed on my bad shoulder this time. When I winced, he squeezed—a jolt of pain radiated from my stitches, causing my bicep to flex, which sent another wave of agony through my arm.
“Stop,” I said, trying not to sound like the pathetic man-child I’d been when I first moved in with him.
In the background, Leo chuckled as he placed the floor plans on my uncle’s desk.
“You’re not at full strength.” Cristian let go of my shoulder and resumed his easy stance against the carom table, no malice on his face. Not even pity. Just a frustratingly fake smile, like his father. “This visit is in both our best interests. Your family wants you to stay, and it gives us the time to ensure Fiori isn’t coming after Samantha.”
I looked at him, then back at my uncle. Their methods were deplorable, but these men had been looking out for me for months.
Leo flopped into a chair by the wall, a devilish smile on his face.
There was no way Leo would see me weak.
I swallowed hard, intentionally not cradling my aching arm. “You’re serious about the guard detail?”