Twisted Emotions (The Camorra Chronicles 2)

“Good thing Nino isn’t here,” Savio said with a shrug. “He’s a possessive bastard.”

Was Nino? Or was that part of the outward appearance the Falcones wanted to present. I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know Nino.

“Why don’t you join us? I’m sure our cook can prepare a quick meal for you?” the older man said. He and Diego shared the same sharp facial features, father and son I assumed.

Savio tilted his head in agreement and sank down on one of the chairs then pushed back the one beside him for me to sit. I sat down, glad that the men were now purposely trying to avoid looking at me, though that, too, felt weird.

“Go into the kitchen and tell them we have guests, Diego,” the father said.

When Diego returned, he didn’t look quite so shaken anymore and eventually got over his initial shock. “So you are the Vice’s cousin?”

Now their full attention was back on me.

“I am, but Luca has many cousins.”

“How is he?” Diego asked.

His father gave him a look, and Savio rolled his eyes.

“He’s a strong Capo. Merciless and well respected.”

“Nobody’s stronger than our Capo,” Diego said, and all the men nodded. Savio’s eyes lit up with pride.

I nodded because it was expected of me. I wasn’t sure who was stronger, Remo or Luca. Remo had the advantage of having three brothers at his side, even if Adamo wasn’t inducted yet.

“I’m here to discuss the attack on your other restaurant, Daniele. Do you have any clues as to who did it?”

“I don’t know. A few years back I would have said the Bratva, but since you chased them out of the city, that seems unlikely.”

“Maybe they’re thinking about returning,” Diego suggested.

“Let them try,” Savio said fiercely. “We will slaughter them all.”

The door to the kitchen opened again. An plump woman and a girl around thirteen or fourteen with long dark hair and startling olive eyes came through it, each carrying a tray with pastries, bread, and cheese. The girl was a bit of a tomboy, and her eyes narrowed when she spotted me. She set down the tray in the center of the table.

“Who’s this?” she asked curiously, nodding in my direction.

The woman made a shush noise.

“I’m Kiara, Nino’s wife,” I said, and she relaxed. Her eyes darted to Savio, and I knew why she’d been wary of me. “So, Savio,” she said. “When are you going to fight me as you promised?”

“I never promised anything,” Savio said with a smirk.

“Gemma, stop bothering him. Savio doesn’t have time to play around with annoying little girls,” Diego muttered.

She reached over the table and punched his shoulder. He tried to grab her, but she dashed away before he could, poking her tongue out at him. Then with a last smile at Savio, she slipped through the kitchen door. I was relieved to see that not everyone in Vegas was terrified of the Falcones.

When we returned to the mansion in the early afternoon, I was more relaxed than I’d been in weeks.

“Thank you for spending the day with me,” I said as we entered the living area.

Savio gave me a strange look. “It’s not like it was my choice, but you are far less bothersome than most women.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Umm, thanks?”

He nodded toward Adamo, who was slouched on the sofa, headphones in his ears, playing a video game. “It’s his turn now.”

With that he walked off, leaving me standing there. I felt like the bothersome little sister who was handed from one older brother to the next, which was idiotic since they were both younger than me.

Adamo lifted one of his earphones. “Wanna join me?”

I glanced at the screen. He was playing a race game. I’d never played a video game because my uncle and aunt didn’t own any consoles, and I didn’t think that it was anything I’d enjoy. I nodded anyway and sat down across from Adamo. So far, I had barely spoken to the youngest Falcone. He was the most approachable of the lot, almost normal, except for the fact that a gun rested beside him on the sofa.

He put down the earphones. His curly brown hair was a hopeless mess. I didn’t think he bothered brushing it after getting up this morning. “I hope Savio wasn’t an asshole. If he was, don’t worry. It’s his go-to mode.”

“He was nice,” I said.

Adamo gave me a doubtful look, his brown eyes so much kinder than those of his brothers. “Have you ever played this game?”

“I have never played any kind of game.”

His eyes grew wide. “Shit. Really?”

I smiled. “I suppose it’s something I shouldn’t miss.”

“Better sit beside me so I can explain the controller to you.”

I got up and Adamo put the gun on the table in front of him so I had room to sit down. For a moment, I hesitated. Adamo grimaced. “You don’t have to be scared of me.”