The Rocchetti Queen - Bree Porter Page 0,24

thinking about Ophelia.

“Speaking of politicians,” Beppe interrupted, trying to keep the peace. “Ericson is causing some major issues. He must’ve gotten into Salisbury’s notes, found out where our merchandise docks, and has now put a permanent FBI detail there.”

“He has also gotten one of our drivers kicked off the track, boss,” Gabriel added. “If sponsors start seeing their cars off the track, we’re going to have some major fucking issues. Like no-fucking-money issues.”

I had known Ericson was causing problems, but I hadn’t known just how many and how severe. I had been a little out of the loop since Dante’s birth, but perhaps it was time my ‘maternity leave’ came to an end.

“I think we should kill him,” Nero said.

“We’re not going to do that,” Alessandro interrupted, rubbing his mouth. “Sophia will handle him.”

I will? I rose my eyebrows at my husband. “My methods might not be as quick as Nero’s.” Or as violent.

“I’m sure you will figure it out.”

I smiled, pleased.

Alessandro leaned back in his chair, a plush throne in which he reigned over the room from. “Nero, have you any news on Adelasia?”

“Nothing.” In his defense, the assassino seemed genuinely angry with himself for his lack of success in finding Adelasia. “It’s like she disappeared off the face of the Earth.”

“Impossible,” Sergio sniped.

Nero turned his head to the enforcer. “Then you look for her, hammer.”

“It’s common sense, Nero,” he replied. “Don Piero stashed her in a day. He couldn’t have swept her off the continent—or even to another state.”

“I have combed through Illinois within an inch of its life,” argued Nero. “The only other possible explanation is that she is six feet under.”

I froze.

Surely, Don Piero wouldn’t have done that...He wouldn’t have killed pregnant Adelasia. No, she was carrying a Rocchetti. Yet...I wasn’t entirely sure. Perhaps Adelasia had moved onto the next life and left us trying in vain to find her in her wake.

At least in Heaven, she would be safe from the Rocchetti men.

Alessandro felt my reaction and gave me a comforting squeeze. “Keep looking. I want her found—dead or alive.”

Gabriel spoke up, his incredibly handsome face set in seriousness for once. “Do you think your brother is making any headway in his search?”

Nero snorted at Gabriel’s question. “Salvatore’s scouts wouldn’t be able to find their own head if it wasn’t attached to their neck.”

“My brother has been quiet about the search,” Alessandro said, “but I wouldn’t underestimate him.”

The room nodded in agreement.

“Have any more challenges been issued?” Sergio asked. “Enrico might be dealt with, but your brother and father still have their ambitions set on becoming don—even if they’ll be destroyed within weeks.”

“No,” answered my husband. “My father will not plan his. He will see a crack in our armor and pounce. My brother, however, will be more meticulous. Watch your backs.” He directed his dark gaze to me. Including you, his expression said.

I rubbed his shoulder. Salvatore Jr had been trying to kill me for a while now, I had discovered recently, and I doubted he would be successful any time soon. But it wouldn’t kill me to be wary of my brother-in-law. Especially since he was gearing up to be king, and if he would use poor Adelasia to get what he wanted, I doubted killing me would be too much of a hassle.

“Any word from Tarkhanov?” This time it was Pietro speaking up. Beatrice’s husband was a quiet, stone-like man, but had never treated his wife with anything but care and respect. I had always liked him.

I looked to Alessandro for his answer. I had seen Konstantin at the funeral and received a beautiful bouquet of flowers celebrating Dante’s birth, but that had been the end of our correspondence these past few weeks.

“He is back in New York,” Alessandro said. “Getting ready to take down the Lombardis. He estimates he will be ready in twelve months.”

“What will happen to Isabella when he does?” I asked.

My husband shrugged. “Most likely he will propose a marriage, or she will be sent to live with other relatives in the country. Whatever will benefit him the most.”

At least she was safe, I reasoned. The men in her family would not share the same kind fate.

The baby monitor suddenly came to life, Dante’s little cries alarming the room.

I untangled myself from Alessandro, grabbed the monitor and excused myself. Gabriel looked like he wanted to follow.

As I left, deep voices continued to talk. I caught Sergio’s deep rumble, “The Alessandro I know would have fought that SWAT team