Sweet Temptation

“No, Loulou,” I said sternly as I carefully pushed her to the side with my foot before I opened the door. Loulou tried to squeeze past me again, but I nudged her back again.

Christian wore a thick coat against the bitter cold December air and gave me a curious look. “Of course you’d keep the dog.”

Daniele stared at my brother then turned around and rushed upstairs. Puzzled, I smiled at Christian as I kept Loulou away with my foot. She growled at Christian. We really needed to work on her treatment of guests.

“What’s with the kid?” he asked, indicating Daniele who’d disappeared from view.

I shrugged and opened the door wider so he could enter.

Christian came in and hugged me with one arm, trying not to crush Simona, who made a sound of protest at his closeness. The cold clung to his coat and seeped into me.

I quickly pulled back and closed the door. For a moment, I didn’t pay attention, and Loulou dashed past me, jumping at Christian with angry yaps. He glared down, not impressed. “Go away,” he said, shoving her away with less gentleness than I had done.

“Loulou!” She finally stopped and trotted a few steps away.

“How are you?” Christian asked as he slipped off his coat and hung it up at the coatrack. It was obvious that he’d been here before and knew where everything was. The worry in his voice was unmistakable.

I touched his arm. “I’m fine.”

His eyes narrowed. “I can tell that you’re lying.”

“I’m fine, really. Just a bit overwhelmed. Daniele won’t talk and barely eats. I’m trying to break through his walls, to find out what happened, but I don’t know how.”

I led Christian into the living room, even if I worried about Daniele. I’d check on him later if he didn’t come down soon. Loulou followed close behind, never letting Christian out of her sight. She was brave, I had to give her that.

We settled on the sofa where I’d had Sybil set up cake, sandwiches, and cookies as well as coffee. “The kid lost his mother. Of course he’s traumatized.”

“I know, but it’s more than that. He’s avoiding Cassio.”

“Maybe you should let the past rest, Giulia.” The way he spoke it was more a warning than advice, and his worried expression only affirmed my suspicion.

I set Simona down on the floor when her squirming got too much. She crawled off at once, heading for her blanket with her toys. “What do you know that you’re not telling me?”

Christian’s mouth thinned. “I know that Cassio doesn’t want people to rummage in his past, especially where Gaia is concerned, and I think you should respect his wish.”

“To protect him or me?”

Christian took a cookie and bit it, obviously biding his time. “Both… and those kids too.” He motioned at Simona, who squeezed a stuffed unicorn that laughed shrilly every time she did, causing her to giggle too. Her eyes flashed with joy as she gazed at me.

“How can I help Daniele if I don’t know what happened?”

“The boy will come around. He’s going to be Underboss one day. His mother’s death won’t be the last trauma he suffers.” My stomach tightened at my brother’s cold assessment.

“You’re worried Cassio will hurt me if I try to find out what happened to Gaia.”

Christian picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, contemplating his next words if his expression was an indication.

“I don’t think you need to worry. Cassio has been good to me so far, and he’s good to his children.”

Christian touched my hand, looking at me the same way Cassio sometimes did—as if I was a naïve child. “Let me tell you something about men like Cassio that I know because I’m that kind of man. Like him, I’ll be Underboss. Like him, I’ve survived and done horrible things to make me strong enough for that task. To get in a position of power in the mafia, you need a dark side. The stronger that dark side is, the more likely you’ll get into a position of power and stay there. Nobody threatens Cassio’s power.”

“I know you all have a dark side. You, Dad, Cassio, but none of you have ever hurt me nor do I think you will.”

Christian laughed bitterly. “Sometimes the dark comes out when it shouldn’t.”

Elia appeared in the doorway. “Everything all right?”

My brows snapped together. “Sure.” I glanced at the clock. It was almost five. “Why don’t you leave early? You’ve been working long hours these last few weeks. Christian will stay and protect me.”

Elia peered at my brother. I couldn’t read the look in his expression, but it definitely held a hint of suspicion. “Cassio ordered me to keep an eye on you.”

The way he said it sounded less like protection and more like surveillance. Did I need to have another talk about trust with Cassio?