That statement gets everyone in the rooms attention. Especially mine. I stare at Baz with a gaping expression. Head of the family?
"Jesus Christ, I just witnessed a fucking miracle. You have ignored that title ever since it was bestowed upon you, and now you choose to invoke it? Because of a woman? Because of a killer? Do you know what she's done?" Gianni's voice elevates tersely. "Do you know how many good men she's killed? Romeo being number one," Gianni stresses. Romeo, Romeo. I wrack my brain trying to remember who that is. I killed so many. "Slit his throat like a fucking savage in the back room of a nightclub." Ah, now I remember. "Took my daughter's husband from her. Your cousin. Left his son without a father for no goddamn reason at all. She has to go. Be dealt with."
The bodyguard raises the sword above his head, and I hold my breath, but Baz steps between us, blockading me with his broad body.
"Hurt her, and I will skin you alive. Then hang your body in Times Square for everyone to see. You'll be my first and only example of what happens when you cross the head of this family."
The room fossilizes, and Gianni scoffs. "Un-fucking-believable. It really is a goddamn miracle."
"Get the fuck out," Baz snarls at the two men. They comply immediately, vacating the room.
As soon as they're gone, Baz sets my hands free, but I don't get up. I don't even look up. I just hide behind my hair and clutch my stomach. That was close. Too fucking close. How did he find out? The anxiety hits me like a high-speed impact.
"Stevie?" Baz's voice is velvety soft. I fight the urge to uncurl from my little, safe ball on the floor. "Stevie." Baz drops to his knees in front of me and clutches my face. "Are you okay?"
I peek up at him through my thick, blonde hair. "I'm fine. We're fine." My heart is still pulsing like a jackhammer, but I'm fine. "Head of the family, Baz?"
The look on his face is guilty, regretful, and prideful all at once.
"So, this is the infamous Ghostface Killer." I see Gianni's black, shiny shoes before any other part of him. I look up from the floor at his smirking face. "The rumors are true. You are as elusive as smoke. You strolled right into my house. Under everyone's nose. No one the wiser. Not even Baz."
"Gianni," Baz warns.
"How did you find out?" I ask delicately.
"I have my sources." Gianni's mature face is stone. Intimidating and frightening. "We need to have a long talk," Gianni peers at Baz. "All three of us."
Frederick serves coffee on the back deck of the mansion. It's a warm, sunny May morning. The sky is an azure blue, and the waves are crashing melodically against the shoreline. But despite the tranquil feel of the day, the table is anything but temperate. Gianni, Baz, and I sit silently. Gianni gauging the situation. He's boring a hole through my forehead with his eyes. I want to pretend I'm not intimidated, but I am.
"There were rumors," Gianni begins, sipping his coffee. "That my brother had a project."
Project. That's a good way to put it. I was a crazy science experiment to Benny.
"Please, just ask. I'll tell you whatever you want to know," I cut to the chase. I don't want to be batted around like a cat toy.
Gianni's blue eyes narrow. "Why the fuck were you going around killing all my men?"
"Because Regina told me to. Because she told me you had Benny killed because you wanted to take over."
Gianni's face actually drops. "My sister lied to you."
"Apparently." I don't like it any more than he does. I feel pretty fucking stupid. "Baz told me what really happened."
"How close were you to my brother?" The question makes me fidget in my chair. I hate discussing Benny in front of Baz.
"Very close," I disclose, the warm breeze flipping my hair. "He raised me from the age of fourteen."
"I see." Gianni scrutinizes me. I try not to squirm in my seat. Baz places a reassuring hand on my thigh.
"What did my brother tell you about me?"
"That Pasquale hated you, and you resented him for it. You were the black sheep of the family. And I had to stay away from you."
"What?" Baz is the one to respond. "That's ridiculous. Gianni and my grandfather were close. He loved him. He loved us both."
"It's just what I was told, Baz," I defend myself.
"Benny was a master manipulator," Gianni interjects. "He knew how to poison people. My sister especially. My father never forgave him for turning her against him. Benny pumped you with lies, little girl. He was the black sheep, and it didn't go over too well when our father passed him over for Baz to take over the corporation." Gianni speaks in code, corporation meaning the family.