Born in Blood Collection Volume 1 - Cora Reilly Page 0,172

capable of with that one gaze. I was quite sure he could see it. “I’ll return to my work. I’m sure you and Bibiana have a lot to talk about.”

He turned around and strode back to his office, disappearing from our view. I linked arms with Bibi, who was gaping at me. “I can’t believe he did that for you. He must really care about you.”

“He tried to help you. He saw your bruises.”

Bibi laughed. “He did it for you. It was written all over his face.” She paused, then quickly added, “Not that I mind. I’m just glad that he got rid of Tommaso for now.”

“Come on, let’s go into the living room. I’ll put in a movie and we’ll have a glass of wine. You deserve it. Do you need some Tylenol with it?”

Bibi grimaced. “Yes, please. I feel sore. I think Tommaso bruised my ribs.”

That was the last mention of what had happened with Tommaso today. We spent the rest of the night remembering our childhood and teenage years, laughing, and getting drunk.

* * *

I regretted last night’s wine the next morning when a splitting headache woke me from sleep. I sat up, groaning. Pressing a palm against my forehead, I took a few deep breaths, hoping it would help with the nausea. Something red caught my eye. A small parcel lay on Dante’s side of the bed. I snatched the card propped up against the parcel.

I would have given this to you last night but I didn’t want to wake you, was written in neat script on the card. Delighted, I grabbed the present and unwrapped it. Inside the small velvet box rested a delicate white gold necklace with an emerald pendant. I stumbled out of bed and hurried toward my vanity, holding it up against my eyes. The emerald had almost exactly the same color. That couldn’t have been a coincidence. I sank down on the chair and fastened the necklace around my neck with shaking hands.

* * *

I probably wouldn’t have gone to work at all that day—Leo could take care of everything without me—if I hadn’t told Frank to meet me there.

After we’d dropped Bibiana off at her house and I’d made her promise to call me the moment Tommaso was home, Enzo drove us to the casino and we went inside as we always did. Luckily for me Raffaele was screaming at one of the girls, which wasn’t a one-time thing either, but today it was the distraction I needed. I turned to Enzo. “Could you please have a private word with Raffaele and make it clear that I don’t appreciate him manhandling our girls?” Enzo looked only too eager to comply.

He headed straight for Raffaele and shoved him into one of the private rooms. Leo was making a beeline for me, but I shook my head and told him that I was busy. He seemed confused but didn’t try to stop me when I stepped into the elevator. Guilt almost stopped me in my tracks a couple of times. My secret meeting with Frank could be construed as a betrayal of Dante’s trust. After this morning’s considerate gift, the idea of going against him like that made me feel even worse. He seemed willing to try, and I was risking it all because of Frank.

Three minutes later, I hastened away from the storehouse. I glanced around my surroundings nervously; not only because I worried about being followed, but also because this was a deserted and creepy area. It was already getting dark, which didn’t help my anxiety at all. At least I was wearing ballet flats so I could run if someone attacked me. In the distance, leaning against the wall of another empty warehouse, I could make out a tall figure. I hurried toward him, then slowed because it was hard to make out much. “Frank?” I whispered. “Is that you?”

He took a step away from the wall, looking as nervous as I felt. “Hey, Valentina.”

I bridged the remaining distance between us. “What’s going on? Why do you keep showing up in front of my home? Do you want the Outfit to find out about you?”

Frank rubbed his hair, his eyes darting around. “Of course not.” His obvious nervousness was making me anxious in turn. “I need to talk to you.”

“Then talk. I don’t have much time. Don’t you realize what kind of risk we’re taking by talking right now?”

“I think it’s dangerous that you agreed to marry Dante Cavallaro.”

I