family meeting. My girl loved to torture me in small ways. “I started keeping one in each of the cars.”
“But when?”
I shrugged. “I might have had PC security install them while we were doing the recovery op for Corrie.”
She sighed. Tipped her head back and looked up at me. “So. Fucking. Hot.”
I groaned again. “Not now, woman. Your parents are here.” I jutted my chin at the mafia boss and her husband.
She pinched my butt before taking a seat next to Tali.
I huffed as I looked around my living area. Fucking host of this family meeting and no-fucking-where to sit.
Fuck my life.
Chapter 17 – Willow
I smiled at Daphne.
She smiled back, nodded. “I’d like to speak to you privately once we both have some free time. Is that okay?”
I nodded. “Yes, whenever you’re ready, I’ll make time.”
She smiled again before turning to address the whole room. “First, sorry to my son and Willow for commandeering your home. Second, what I’m about to tell you must never be spoken of outside of these four walls or I could lose my job.”
All the Amatuccis smiled and nodded.
“We know how to keep secrets, Momma Penn,” Momma said.
Daphne jolted. “Sheridan. Mrs. Sheridan.”
“She didn’t mea—” I began.
Momma waved me off. “I am sorry, Momma Sheridan. I did not mean to cause you pain.”
Daphne chuckled awkwardly. “I haven’t used Ryker’s surname since my divorce was final. You just startled me.” She waved that away.
“Next order of business, I need to know if Antonia de Silva is dead. The progression of the rest of this meeting hinges on that answer.”
“She is dead,” Mas answered.
Daphne leaned forward, her gaze direct. “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand you. Could you please repeat that?”
The rest of the Amatucci family shuffled and squirmed in their seats as Momma opened her mouth.
Mas nodded. He waited for everyone to quiet down. We were all accustomed to Mas’ damaged voice and didn’t draw extra attention to it. A strike on both sides of my family. This was turning out to be a shit show.
“Antonia de Silva is dead,” Mas repeated, straining his voice to a slightly louder volume. He rubbed at his throat.
Daphne blinked. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I thought you were simply whispering, not that your vocal cords had been damaged.” Red rode her cheeks.
Momma growled low in her throat.
Both matriarchs looked at each other. After a long taut silence they smiled. Momma even chuckled. “Let us dispense with the formalities, yes?”
Daphne’s shoulders relaxed as she blew out a breath. “You’re all so intimidating. I didn’t want to say anything inflammatory and ended up doing just that. I’m so sorry.”
Momma laughed again. “And us with you. Let us simply acknowledge we are fierce, strong women with no time or inclination for bullshit and move on. We will speak plainly and not dance around direct language.”
Daphne laughed. “That sounds wonderful. I can see now where Willow gets her directness.”
Momma straightened her spine, smiled. “Si.” She waved Daphne to continue.
Daphne nodded. “Right.” She licked her lips. The first time I’d ever seen her give into a nervous gesture. “I work in family court.” She smiled. “I’m sure you all know that.”
Nico smiled, nodded. “Yes, and to help ease your current burden, allow me to tell you that Antonia de Silva and her entire organization were-slash-are complicit in multiple crimes. With her death, any information you share no longer falls under attorney-client privilege.”
Daphne blew out a breath. “I’ll still step carefully as that particular news has not yet reached my office.” She turned to Mas. “In my dealings with Ms. De Silva, I became aware of a minor female child.”
Mas shot to his feet, advanced on Daphne. “Where? Where is my daughter?”
Daphne shrank back.
Ryker stepped forward, careful not to put hands on the shortest Amatucci brother. “I believe she was getting around to telling you. Sit down and stop intimidating her and she might finish her statement.”
Mas’ lip curled up but he nodded and returned to his seat. “Please, go on.”
Daphne blinked a couple times. “I have an Italian birth certificate that lists one Massimo Andretti as the father. Not Amatucci.”
Mas shrugged that off. “I have…paperwork to verify that is my name.”
Daphne’s chuckle was hoarse. “She also provided me with the death certificate of one Massimo Andretti. Do you have it available right now?”
He shook his head. “No. Nia told me, after I shot her, that my daughter’s name is Amara de Silva. Is this the name of the minor female child?”
Daphne nodded. Her brow wrinkled. “If she