The Rocchetti Queen - Bree Porter Page 0,57

for the FBI? Whoever Diana was, she deserved a high-five for trapping him. “What no fight?” He laughed. “Are you sick?”

I tried my best impression of Catherine’s laugh. “Just have a lot of work to do.”

“Of course. I’ll leave you to it.” The man stepped away, heading for one of the glass offices.

I yanked out the USB, closing down the computer. I’d had had too many close calls.

As I went to leave, I spotted Dupont’s desk. I rooted my heels into the ground, unable to pass it. Over my shoulder, I could see the strange man at his own desk, his head bent down over his computer.

Quickly, I turned back to Dupont’s desk and scanned it. There were two photographs—one of him and Catherine, a second of an old woman with watery blue eyes. Must be mom, I thought.

I opened one of his desk drawers, bringing out the first thing my fingers met. It was a small book, a diary. It would do.

I tucked it under my arm.

Time to go, I told myself. Hopefully, you have gotten something good enough to use.

“Catherine?”

I turned.

The beautiful man was leaning against the doorway to his office. “Do you need a lift home?”

“Uh, no, thank you. I drove.”

“Oh? I didn’t see your car in the carpark.”

I shrugged. “I parked further away. I’m trying to...get in some more cardio.” What, Sophia? Really? Get in some more cardio?

Christ, it was lucky I was so good at being a mob wife. I would have made a terrible spy.

The man nodded like he understood. “See you Monday.”

“You too. Give my love to the kids.”

I was prepared to sprint it, but I forced myself to slowly walk away, shoulders held high. Be calm, I told myself. Do not give them a reason to hurt you.

“Oh, and Padovino?”

What now? I wanted to shriek but kept my cool.

The beautiful man was still staring at me, slight smile on his face.

In that moment, half in the shadows, expression all-knowing, I could have sworn he looked familiar. Not familiar in the way that I had met him before, but more like I had grown up around men who held themselves the way he did, stood in the darkness the way he did.

That’s impossible, I told myself, shoving away the thought.

“Yes, sir?”

“I have been meaning to ask you if you have heard anything else regarding Tarkhanov. My spies have been quiet. You’d think we would hear more, especially with him gearing up to take over the Falcones.” He smiled lightly. “Allegedly.”

My sister was also spying on Konstantin? I had to tell Alessandro that. “Uh, Lombardis, sir. Not Falcones.”

His eyebrows rose. “Were you not listening at the meeting this morning, Padovino? Schulz said Tarkhanov’s struck up a deal with the Lombardis. He has got his sights set on the Falcones now.”

Do not react, I told myself. What do the FBI know? “The Lombardis have more resources. I can’t see him changing to the Falcones.”

“I think it depends on what you want,” the man said. “Something the Falcones have must have caught Tarkhanov’s eye. Something the Lombardis don’t have.”

“He might not even succeed.”

“Oh, he will.”

Something in his tone...I eyed him. “You sound like you want him to take out the Falcones.”

“Do I?” he inquired. “All I want is organized crime in the United States to disappear. Isn’t that what we all want, Catherine? Especially you?”

“Of course,” I replied. “It is all I want.”

The man’s blue eyes gleamed. “Things are about to get very interesting in New York. The Bratva, the Cosa Nostra. All of them vying for power, going to extreme lengths to get what they want.” His smile remained friendly, but his words made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “Chicago will become boring now that Don Piero’s grandson and his wife’s reign has begun. New York is the place to go.”

“I thought Chicago still didn’t have a don.”

“You and I both know that’s not true, Padovino. What was it you said again? Ah...‘Don’t underestimate my sister. She is lying in wait.’” The look in his eyes made my stomach tense. “Is she still lying in wait?”

I met his eyes. You’re Catherine remember? I warned myself. “I couldn’t say. I guess we will just have to find out.”

“Indeed, we will,” the man agreed.

I took a step back, pointing a thumb over my shoulder. “I better get going.”

“Goodnight, Padovino. I will see you soon.”

I had the undeniable feeling that we would be seeing each other again soon. But the next time, I