Twisted Bonds (The Camorra Chronicles 4)

“I really prefer doll-face’s quiet,” Savio muttered then poked Nevio lightly in the belly when he stopped beside us. “How about you stop the bawling, PIA?”

“You’re lucky Remo didn’t hear that,” Kiara said disapprovingly. Savio had been calling Nevio pain-in-the-ass for a while now. Nevio was definitely the more taxing child.

I could feel Samuel’s gaze on us and turned to him. He looked from Nevio to Greta, but his expression remaining perfectly guarded. That was the Cavallaro gene.

Savio grimaced. “Fuck. I really wanted to smash his face in. I can’t believe he’s standing here in our fucking garden, in our fucking city after what he and his family did to Adamo and Remo.”

Remo could forgive Samuel for his own torture—he considered it fair game, but not Adamo. That was a mistake Cavallaro would pay for one day.

“Maybe it’s a first step toward peace,” Kiara said, trying to put a white flower into Greta’s locks. Greta followed everything curiously with her eyes.

Savio scoffed, his eyes flickering with hatred. “There won’t ever be peace between the Camorra and the Outfit.”

Kiara glanced at me, and while I didn’t like the hopeful look in them, I liked lying to my wife even less.

“He’s right.” It was difficult enough to maintain peace with the Famiglia. Luca would cancel the truce the moment we approached Cavallaro.

Greta fumbled for the flower, grabbed it with her small fingers and stuffed it into her mouth.

“Careful,” Savio hissed.

“They are edible, don’t worry,” Kiara said and started laughing. Part of the flower peeked out between Greta’s pouty lips. Her eyes darted from Kiara to Savio then me and Nevio.

Kiara’s eyes flew back to the mansion where Leona was waving at her. “I think my presence is required. Can you take her?”

Savio’s eyebrows shot up. “I never held her. She’ll cry.”

“Give it a try,” I said. Greta had been watching Savio with more interest these last couple of weeks, more willing to tolerate his easy-going nature than my more reserved approach.

Savio leaned down so he was eyelevel with Greta who still had two petals stuck to her mouth. “All righty doll-face, I’m going to take you know. No crying.” Kiara held her out and Savio carefully took her, and then held her against his chest. Greta’s eyes had grown wide but she was still quiet.

“I’m not sure I like the look on your face,” Savio murmured. He bent down to pick up another flower and held it in front of Greta’s face. “Here, have another snack.”

With a laugh, Kiara hurried toward Leona. Greta ate that flower as well then peering up at Savio, she pulled her fingers from her mouth and touched Savio’s chin.

Savio sighed, his mouth curling in disdain. “Baby spittle on my face, the highlight of my day.”

“You also got a petal in your stubble,” I said.

Savio gave me a long-suffering look. “I worked so hard to earn my street credit. This could ruin everything.”

I raised my eyebrows. “If that bull tattoo didn’t ruin your reputation, nothing will.”

He smirked. “You just can’t accept that the ladies like it.”

“To be honest, I couldn’t care less.” Nevio let out another screech and twisted in my hold, determined to get down to the ground.

“We’ll need a leash for him soon,” Savio said.

“I want to see you put a leash on Nevio when Remo’s around.”

“That kid’s name is trouble.” Savio peered down at Greta who suckled on her fingers. “Am I right, doll-face?”

She grinned toothlessly, a petal clinging to her tongue. She tried to get it off and started drooling. Savio quickly snatched the petal. Greta grabbed his hand and began chewing on his finger. He gave me a look.

“No lewd comment,” I warned.

Savio scoffed. “I’m not that fucking depraved to make that kind of joke around doll-face, trust me.”

“We’ll see. Nevio and her won’t always be babies. One day they’ll be teenagers.”

Savio shook his head. “Doll-face, promise to stay away from guys like me.”

“I doubt any man with a flicker of sanity will dare to approach Remo’s daughter.”

“And if any asshole does, I’ll chop his cock into pieces and feed them to him,” Remo growled as he came to a stop beside us. One of his eyebrows rose when he saw Greta on Savio’s arm and the petal still stuck to his dark stubble. “I see you used your charm on my daughter.”

Savio flashed a grin. “I’m a ladies’ man.”

Greta made grabby hands toward Remo who smiled and took her from Savio. He kissed her forehead, then he looked towards Samuel who was watching us. Remo’s expression hardened, his eyes filling with contempt.

“I’m surprised you have enough restraint not to slash his throat,” Savio said with a nod at Serafina’s brother.

Nevio twisted again, getting angrier. He began to kick, gearing up for the second screaming fit of the day. “It’s enough.”

Remo’s eyes darted to us. “Nevio, you heard what Nino said. Enough.”