Twisted Cravings (The Camorra Chronicles 6)

The corridor opened up to a bar area of red velvet and black lacquer, which only intensified the hellish vibe of the place. There were poles and booths with velvet curtains and several doors that branched off the main room where the whores took their customers for privacy. Another long corridor, also held in red and black, led to Remo’s office.

When I entered the long room without windows, Remo’s eyes said he knew why I was there. Nino sat on the sofa, eying me with a hint of disapproval. He thought I sought fights with Remo, but that wasn’t the case. But unlike Nino, I had a conscience and it sometimes clashed with Remo’s ruthlessness.

“Your visits are becoming more frequent again, but this isn’t a simple family reunion, is it, Adamo?” Remo asked, arms crossed in front of his broad chest. He was in workout clothes, probably because he’d kicked the living hell out of the heavy bag hanging from the ceiling between his desk and the sofa. His dark eyes held a hint of suspicion. Maybe it was my own emotion reflecting back at me.

“How are things with Dinara?” Nino asked calmly, trying to be the deescalating presence but accidentally poking the beehive.

I narrowed my eyes. “She’s still part of the races and we’ve been talking often these last few weeks.” It wasn’t a lie, but certainly not the truth either.

Remo’s answering smirk told me he knew. I didn’t care. He hadn’t said I should stay away from Dinara, and even if he had, I wouldn’t have listened. Her closeness called too loudly to me. Getting in bed with the enemy was something he and I had in common.

“You want answers about Dinara. Answers she’s unwilling to give you.”

“Answers she’s unable to give me. It seems you are the only one who knows every aspect of her past. You and Nino.” I nodded at Nino who kept his usual poker face, not that I would have expected him to show any kind of reaction. His wife Kiara and his kids were the safest bet to tease an emotion out of him. Before his marriage to Kiara, everyone had been convinced he wasn’t capable of feelings at all.“Dinara told me she wants you to tell me the truth.”

“Is that so? I hope you reminded her that I don’t take orders, nor do I need permission. Keeping her secrets isn’t only for her sake.”

“That’s what I thought. If you worry whatever you’ll say will shock me or make me resent you for your actions, you’re forgetting that I know you, Remo. I know every despicable act you’ve committed. Nothing could ever shock me when it comes to you.”

Remo’s face turned hard. “Nino, why don’t you gather the info Adamo demands.”

Nino got up without a word and headed over to the computer on the desk. He threw Remo a warning look. Maybe the secret protected both of them.

“What do you think will you discover today?” Remo asked.

“Dinara went through some shit in the past. Something to do with Grigory and you. Her mother tried to run away with her but you caught them and delivered Dinara right back to her father. You kept Eden for yourself for whatever twisted reason. So maybe Eden and Dinara did something in our territory that pissed you off. We both know you were even more psychotic back in the day than you are now.” I remembered the days when Remo and Nino had fought over Vegas, when blood and violence shone in their faces when they returned home from their raids at night.

“I was fucking pissed at the time. Grigory too,” Remo said. “I wonder if you think Dinara needs your support against me, and would you give it to her if she asked for it?”

“Are you testing my loyalty?”

“Should I?”

Nino made a small impatient sound. “No loyalties need to be tested.”

“He’s right. I’m loyal to our family and the Camorra.” I held up my arm with the marred Camorra tattoo. “But that doesn’t mean that’ll stop me from butting heads with you if you’re causing Dinara harm.”

“I see she got you,” Remo said with a dark chuckle.

“Done,” Nino said, looking up from the computer screen. Remo gave a jerky nod before he turned back to me again.

“Maybe one day you’ll stop suspecting the worst when it comes to me.” Remo gave me a harsh smile. “I’m not a good man, but whatever you think about Eden and Dinara, you’re wrong.” He nodded at Nino then he turned and left.

I frowned at the closed door. I’d have thought Remo would stay to see my reaction, to gauge my loyalty, even if he said it wasn’t a test.

Nino raised a USB-stick and motioned toward the laptop on the table in front of the couch. “Might be better if you sit down.”