Page 28 of Mafia Darling

“Yes, forgive us, Francesca,” Toni added. “He’s been too distracted lately, though now I understand why.”

“Oh, he wasn’t distracted by the baby. It was because he sent me away and then I was kidnapped.” She gave me a bland stare that didn’t fool me for a moment. “Right, paparino?”

Fury washed through me, even though I knew she was trying to get back at me for taking away her dessert and going to the doctor’s appointment. My lips met the shell of her ear and I whispered, “I’m glad you are feeling better, piccola monella. I was worried you would need more time to recuperate. I see that’s no longer the case.”

Francesca didn’t say anything, instead reaching for a slice of bread from the basket on the table. While she busied herself with eating, Toni and I caught up on the various matters I’d ignored the last month.

The meal dragged on, and I was surreptitiously watching Francesca enjoy her gnocchi when Toni nudged my arm.

“Are you listening?” Toni asked. “I know she’s beautiful but surely I’m not that boring.”

I frowned at him, though I was annoyed at myself. I should have paid better attention. “I heard you. There’s a buyer for the media conglomerate and you want to sell. So, sell.”

“No, Fausto,” Francesca said, forking up another bite of gnocchi. “He wants to split the media conglomerate apart and form two companies. The less-profitable half would be sold.”

Toni held out his hand toward her as if to say, At least someone was paying attention. I ignored him and concentrated on my woman. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I’d have to learn what each half of the company was responsible for.”

“The profitable half,” Toni explained, “would be data mining for advertisers through social media, dating apps, and online storefronts. The part I’d like to sell is the television and print side.”

“Because ad revenue is down,” I added to make sure she understood. “Everyone streams nowadays and gets their news on an app.”

“True, but if the last few years have shown us anything it’s that whoever controls the flow of information has the most power. People will believe anything.”

Toni and I exchanged a look. This was true. “So, sell the data mining instead?” I asked.

“That would be a mistake,” Toni said. “The revenue potential is incredible.”

Francesca put down her fork and reached for her sparkling water. “You should split the companies but keep them both. Rename the data mining side, though, to something no one would associate with the media side. People don’t like thinking their computers are spying on them. There was a big scandal a few years ago with one of the social media sites doing that.”

“There was?” Toni asked. “I don’t remember it.”

“Yep. Everyone was deleting their accounts. That site was mostly for older people, though. Like Fausto’s age.”

Without thinking, I stroked my knuckles along the soft skin of her forearm. “Ancient, then.”

Freezing, she stared at where I was touching her. Yet she didn’t pull away, not at first. I took advantage, caressing her gently, not bothered that Toni was across the table. Finally, she shifted and moved out of my reach. Her hands ended up in her lap, her fingers knotted together.

“So we have a decision, then, yes?” Toni asked.

“Yes, and Francesca will choose a name for the new company.”

She blinked at me. “I will?”

“You helped to make the decision, so it’s only fair.”

Her mouth stretched into a wide grin before she could stop herself. The sight of her pleasure hit me like a punch to the solar plexus, and I had to restrain myself from leaning over and kissing her. I wanted to taste her joy, drown in her happiness. I missed losing myself in her, the only woman who dared to antagonize and fight me at every turn.

The moment passed and she retreated, her mask firmly back in place for the rest of the meal. Toni and I moved onto the hedge fund he operated, as well as the real estate. I enjoyed the legitimate side of the Ravazzani empire, the strategizing over numbers and data. If I wasn’t so suited to blood and violence, I could have been happy as an investment banker or CEO.

Toni cleared his throat and leaned in. “Rav, your former friend has made a request about the house.”

I was distracted, watching Francesca lick tiramisu off a spoon. “Friend?”

“Katarzyna,” he said reluctantly, referring to my previous mantenuta.

Francesca paused, spoon halfway to her mouth. “What about her?”

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