Ricco wrapped his arms around her and walked her deeper into the luxurious interior. "He's trying to say you have a family, Mariko. We love you and we'll help you find Ryuu."
"Do you think he's alive?" She couldn't help but ask, even though she wasn't certain she wanted to hear the answer.
"He's alive," he assured.
Her gaze jumped to his face. It was, as usual, impossible to read. Something in his tone sent goose bumps swarming over her flesh and she rubbed her arms. Ricco could be very intimidating when he chose.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"I
wondered how the hell they were able to know where we all were," Taviano said. "Which shop Emme was in. Where Nicoletta was. Even Phillip's mistress. How did our enemies keep tabs on us without our knowledge?"
Stefano's apartment was once again the gathering place for all of Ricco's siblings. The penthouse smelled delicious. Francesca and Taviano had whipped up a dinner after a brutal training session in Stefano's very large training hall. It was the first time Mariko had ever trained with them, yet they didn't go light on her. She was happy they respected her enough after watching her work out to treat her as a real opponent. She didn't do that badly against them, either.
Only Stefano, Ricco and Taviano could spar with her, and Stefano watched over Ricco like a hawk. Emmanuelle was still wearing the immobilizer and sling to keep from moving her shoulder. Vittorio was out of the hospital. He watched the sparring matches but was still forbidden to fight one of his brothers or sister. He worked out a little on the mat, but mostly it was stretching. Giovanni's femur had been broken and needed extensive surgery. He had rods and pins in his leg. It was kept immobile by a long brace. Recovery was a minimum of four months, but more likely six. It was imperative that all metal be removed if he was going to ride again. He was there, pale and hurting, but he didn't complain.
"Did you figure it out?" Stefano asked as he reached for the basket of warm sourdough bread smothered in butter and garlic salt. "And what's with their fixation on Nicoletta? Have you figured that out?"
Giovanni reached for the pasta, couldn't quite make it, so Mariko added the pasta to his plate. She added two pieces of the garlic bread and a very large helping of salad before serving herself.
"Thanks, mia sorellina. I appreciate you feeding me." He glared at his brothers.
Vittorio shrugged. "I'm kind of liking you not being able to reach the table properly, Gee. More food for me and I don't even have to work at it. He's not going to starve without a few meals, Mariko."
"Vittorio," Francesca protested. "That's so mean."
"He's kicking me while I'm down," Giovanni pointed out, clearly looking for sympathy and an ally from Francesca.
"Vittorio." Francesca sent him a stern look. The Ferraros burst out laughing. Mariko had to smile as well. Francesca didn't look nearly as stern as she tried. She looked sweet, much like Lucia. She could see why the family regarded her as their center with Stefano and were protective over her. She felt a little protective toward her as well.
Stefano passed his plate to his wife and she put a healthy helping of pasta on it. "Taviano. What did you find?"
"Cameras. All over the village. At Eloisa's house. In the hotel lobby and positioned across the street recording all entrances. Once I realized we virtually had our own reality show, I checked everyone's homes. Cameras were positioned across the streets, and sometimes in the garages." He took a bite of the pasta, chewed, swallowed and continued. "The cameras were installed some time ago. Long enough that there's signs of rust on the mounting bolts. Whoever he is, he's damn good with surveillance. Knows what he's doing." He took another bite of pasta and chewed, then waved his fork at them. "I'd guess whoever put those cameras up also fucked up Ricco's car."
Mariko stole a quick glance at Ricco. He was sitting close to her, close enough that their thighs were touching. He did that a lot the last couple of days. They'd returned from Japan and he'd stayed close to her, very protective. She had nightmares and he was always there, holding her close, telling her everything was going to be all right and she wasn't alone.
She was terrified she was going to lose Ryuu. He was all the family she had left. It had hurt to discover just how much Osamu hated her. Dai knew, he knew exactly how Osamu had treated her, and he hadn't stepped in. Mariko had been a child. She'd been three years old when her family had been massacred. Now … She fought back panic. She couldn't lose Ryuu.