Page 9 of Stalking Ginevra

I nod. “This is your family’s legacy. It’s about time you took it back.”

As he turns to the interns, giving them each a firm handshake and a look of determination I haven’t seen in him for years, I rise from my seat and gesture for us to move the discussion to the bank of sofas on the other side of the room.

Reaper, Nick, and the interns follow me in silence. The boys of Mortis House are sons, nephews, and grandsons of our most loyal employees, trained from the age of eighteen to take on leadership positions within the state of New Alderney.

Dad wanted his sons to have an education before joining the family business. Roman did an MBA, I went to law school, and Cesare studied medicine. After he died and Roman was framed for murder, I knew we needed to secure the future of our family.

Many of our men defected to Capello, leaving us vulnerable. To maintain the loyalty of those who remained, I educated their sons. With Roman’s approval, I used my personal funds to establish Mortis House and set up scholarships based on academic merit. Now, any of our employees can have their children groomed and educated to be influential members of society. In return, they will serve our family.

Once we’re settled on the sofas, I turn to the quartet of college students. “Our objective, gentlemen, is to ensure Mr. Terranova’s smooth transition to power within the firm. Take charge of communications, payroll, and client relations. Identifyand remove all employees loyal to the Capello and Di Marco families.”

They nod.

Bianchi clasps his hands. “What level of force is permissible, sir?”

I meet his gaze. “Diplomacy first, followed by polite levels of escalation. I don’t expect a group of attorneys to offer too much resistance, but if you find yourself cornered, use any level of force to protect yourselves and Mr. Terranova.”

When there are no more questions, I flip open a laptop, bringing up Ginevra’s picture. “This woman is off-limits. Keep a discreet eye on her.”

“Who is she?” asks Capri.

“Ginevra Di Marco,” Nick says through clenched teeth. “Daughter of the man who got me disbarred and stole my law firm.”

“Alienate her, exclude her from important meetings, sabotage her work, but if anyone touches her, they answer to me,” I snarl. “Understood?”

A chorus of affirmatives echo around the low table.

“Dismissed.” I close the laptop.

The interns stand, each man straightening his suit jacket with a quick pull at the lapels, before turning in unison to the exit. Grinning, Nick rises and follows them out.

He pauses at the door, shoots me a jaunty wave, and says, “Thanks again, Benito. I’ll be in touch soon with the contracts.”

By contracts, he means our strategy to extract Dad’s assets from Capello’s last surviving heir, Emberly Kay. Roman is holding the old man’s illegitimate daughter captive and fucking her into submission.

Removing my glasses, I pinch the bridge of my nose, hoping my big brother knows what the hell he’s doing. He’s only fourdays out of Death Row and the first woman he sets his sights on is the daughter of our enemy.

“Problems?” Reaper asks.

I turn to my former law professor, Remus Cortese. “Just family bullshit. How’s your nephew and sister?”

“Still under observation at the clinic.” Gaze softening, he reaches across the sofa and clasps my shoulder. “Thank you for finding them.”

Suppressing the urge to squirm, I shift on my seat. “It should never have taken so long.”

Five years. Doctor Isabella Cortese and her son, Christian, were missing for half a decade because my brothers were hooked on a TV show. Cesare got the bright idea to set up a meth lab and even identified the perfect cook. Then he convinced Roman to charm a prestigious college professor into refining the formula and running the operation.

The laboratory was extremely lucrative until Roman went to prison and Cesare turned into an addict, leaving Capello to steal the equipment along with all the cooks.

Reaper came to me years ago, frantic about his missing family members. I agreed to help in exchange for him taking charge of Mortis House.

He shakes his head. “I’m just glad they’re back.”

I nod. “Everyone who ever fucked with us will pay. That’s a promise.”

His features harden. “In blood.”

Everyone, including Ginevra Di Marco. Except, I want her tears.

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