of the Pakhan who loved to live a flashy life, I was in public more often than I preferred. I’d never hidden, and Dad wouldn’t have allowed it either. He wanted me in the spotlight, dressed in pretty dresses for the world to see. Few people dared to speak of the past, even if rumors had spread after my return. “So did I. You and your brothers have kept things interesting over the years.”
Remo’s eyes flashed with amusement.
“Why would the Capo of the Camorra have any interest in the daughter of his enemy? My life didn’t provide the same excitement as yours.”
Adamo and Nino watched our conversation but didn’t intervene.
“I wanted to see if I was right in my assessment of you.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What assessment?”
“If you’d prove as strong as I considered you to be.”
I scoffed. “I was a scared child who allowed people to use and abuse her. I wasn’t strong. I’m not the same person I used to be. I changed.”
Remo pushed away from the desk and moved closer, towering over me, which caused Adamo to tense. I met Remo’s gaze unwaveringly. Maybe it was foolish of me not to fear him but I could only see him as the man who’d freed me from my tormentors. “Even back then I saw your strength, even if you couldn’t. That you are here today, shows I was right. Maybe you changed on the outside, but deep down you are the same resilient child that survived.”
I swallowed, because his words awakened emotions I didn’t want to deal with. Adamo took a step closer, and his protective expression didn’t bode well. This was between Remo and me. If I wanted to get to the bottom of my past, I needed to talk to Remo alone. I had a feeling he wouldn’t be as forthcoming with information as long as I needed Adamo as my babysitter and bodyguard. He was testing me. I cleared my throat and looked at Adamo. “I need to talk to Remo alone.”
If Remo was surprised by my request, he hid it well.
Nino exchanged a look with his older brother before he left without another word. Adamo, however, pulled me against his side. “What’s the matter?”
“Your brother and I need to talk alone.”
“Still don’t trust me, hmm?” Adamo asked wryly.
“No,” I growled. “That’s not it. But the truth I’m going to find out today is my truth. One I want to process before I share it with anyone else. Even with you. It’s my past.”
Adamo sighed. He leaned in and kissed me. “All right, but remember I’m here if you need me.”
He sent his brother a warning look that made me want to ask him to stay after all. When Remo and I were finally alone, silence fell over us for a while. Remo watched me closely, and whatever he saw seemed to please him. “Few of my men feel comfortable in my presence. Most women would rather be locked inside a cage with a fight dog than me, but you ask for a tête-à-tête and don’t seem frightened at all?”
“Do I have reason to be scared of you?” I asked.
Again the twitch of his mouth. “I think you already answered that question for yourself before you set foot on Vegas ground.”
I shrugged. “I had my assumptions, but of course I couldn’t be sure. My father is your enemy. You and him would kill the other if you ever met.”
“Your father isn’t in the top ten of my enemy list, Dinara. He’ll probably live.”
My lips thinned. “My father is a strong man with an army of loyal followers.”
Remo chuckled. “Ahh, a Bratva princess after all? One could think you don’t care for your father’s business considering how recklessly you walk into Camorra territory and become part of our racing camp.”
“I’m loyal to my father, just like Adamo is loyal to you and the Camorra.”
Something shifted in Remo’s eyes, and I realized I was treading dangerous ground. “Have you tested his loyalty?”
“I didn’t and I won’t. Adamo has his place and I have mine.”
“But the lines have become blurry, haven’t they? You and Adamo have gotten close over the last few weeks,” Remo said, and the hint of suspicion and threat swung in his deep voice.
I knew it would be futile to deny it. I wasn’t sure how much Adamo had told his brother, and I had a feeling Remo would have smelled the lie. “We have. We share a passion for racing.”