Top Dog

“Julia has been knocking on some doors, inquiring on information about how to unseat Stefano from the family business.”

“What?” I asked, my mouth going dry.

“Yep. She has already rattled the family accountant and the family lawyer. She’s on a mission to oust Stefano completely, and it’s not going to end well. It’s only a matter of time before he finds out what she’s doing.”

“She’s going at him head on?” I asked.

“You know Julia. Does she do anything any other way?”

I shook my head and couldn’t help but feel a deep seated pride in her actions, dangerous as they were.

“I have to give it to her, it’s a ballsy move. If there’s one thing Julia is, it’s gutsy.”

“But she’s putting herself and your son at risk,” he said. “She’s not thinking like a mother right now.”

“If you spin it in her light, she is. She’s probably thinking that if she can clean up her family's act, she’s got something she can run and pass down to Matteo. I know Julia. The only thing pressing her forward on this is Matteo.”

“I already know Stefano’s playing her,” Enrico said. “He’s been pushing very hard for the two of you to get close. And I have a feeling he wants the two of you close so he can take you and Antony out and take over your family’s dealings.”

“Trust me, I’m already three steps ahead of you,” I said.

“I’m worried about Julia, and that’s the only reason why I’m here. It’s only a matter of time before Stefano figures out what she’s doing, and he will take action against her. He’s ruthless, Romeo, and I have no idea what he’ll do to her. But I know he won’t let her betrayal go unpunished.”

Anger flooded my veins, but a dim grimness settled over my soul. Everything Vincent told me to expect was coming true. A war on all fronts. Using Julia to get to me. Using the police when Julia didn’t work. Attempting to send me to prison to get me out of the way. It was all happening. And now Julia was putting herself in the direct line of fire.

I had a plan in motion, trying to use the cops to get to Stefano. I knew I wasn’t above killing Stefano, but I wanted to keep my hands clean because of the promise I’d made to Julia. Sending Stefano to prison wasn’t as satisfying as bleeding him dry would be, but it would get him out of the way.

Which would take Julia out of the line of fire.

“Thank you for coming to see me, Enrico. I can handle Julia from here,” I said.

“If you have any sort of a plan in the works, I can take it back to her,” he said.

“No, no. If she’s not listening to you, then taking back something I’ve told you won’t work with her. I’ll have to see her on my own, but that part will be easy. I’ll handle it from here. I’ll get Julia to back off,” I said.

“I appreciate it.”

I opened the door and ushered Enrico out.

“And Enrico?”

“Yep?”

“Julia isn’t a woman anyone can control,” I said. “If you want to protect her, standing beside her instead of in front of her is the way to go.”

“And if there’s a bullet flying at her?”

“Then push her out of the way.”

I had to give it to Julia, she was never a person I could predict. Wanting to clean up her family’s act? It was a bold move. In a way, I was proud of her. Already proud of her for rattling cages and sticking to her guns even when it wasn’t the popular decision. I knew that was the reason why Enrico had shown up. The man had probably tried to convince her that none of this was a good idea.

“Do you believe him?” Antony asked.

“I believe his worry,” I said. “But I’ll have to talk with Julia.”

“Do you think she can do it?”

“I think if there’s anyone who can clean up the Bianchi family name, it’s her,” I said.