Page 77 of Devil's Deal

“Yeah.” He gave me a lopsided grin. “Romeo wasn’t sure if you’d be out anytime soon, so he asked me to wait for you. The Boss and his brothers are down in the tunnels.”

“Here? In my tunnels?” I squeaked.

Dante gave me a commiserating look as he tilted his head down the hall for me to follow him. What else could I do? Now that we found Emilio, Romeo’s deal with the devil was over. It had taken weeks longer than he wanted, but without giving details, he told me that he and Rocco had accomplished a lot for the Buccelli Family. He’d done exactly as promised.

Romeo staying here in Takoda without his affiliation to this Family was risky business, but he didn’t think they’d try running him out of town or anything. It didn’t matter to me if they did. I’d pack up my nephew and follow Romeo wherever he had to go. I could fly back and forth to the hotel after Harlow completed his training. I didn’t even need to be here for the paperwork.

I’d met Rocco several times, but this was the first time I’d ever seen him look so quiet and dangerous. It didn’t help that he was standing in line with his two brothers. My assumption that the Boss, Nico Buccelli, was in the middle, flanked by his siblings, was confirmed when Romeo introduced me to them.

“It’s very nice to meet you all,” I said, nodding my head. I didn’t know if there was some kind of etiquette to greet a mob Family, and as much as I didn’t want to offend, I also didn’t want to overstep.

Rocco gave me an up-nod. His other brother, Vin, stared at me with open hostility, but the Don smiled politely. “I’m sorry to meet you under these circumstances, Mr. Letterman. How is your nephew?”

I shrugged. “He’s upset, relieved, and about to get horrific news from his father. I think recovery from this whole ordeal will be quite a process.”

He nodded. “I’m sure it will, but he has you, yes?”

“He does.”

“And Romeo, he has you, too?” the Don asked, quirking one dark eyebrow.

The back of my neck heated, and I felt sweat bead along my forehead. The man hadn’t raised his voice or been particularly rude, and I wanted to tell him whatever he wanted to know while also begging for his forgiveness. Was it his silky tone that made him feel so…ominous?

I gripped Romeo’s hand tightly. “Always.”

“No matter what?” Vin asked.

I met his cool stare with one of my own. “No matter what.”

“Okay, then,” Nico said. “Cory, I was just telling Romeo that things have been handled with Don Pasini for now.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rocco mouth what looked like,Penis, and I bit back a hysterical giggle. I’d heard him say it in the car, but I thought that had been some dark humor to prepare for the rescue mission. Romeo had complained that Rocco could be irreverent but funny. I guess he was right.

“There is the matter of Frederic.”

My gaze snapped to Romeo. “They’re not going to kill him, are they?”

“Given the circumstances, I convinced Don Pasini to let him quietly leave town. Do you think he’ll do that?”

Again, it felt like being stabbed in the heart. Frederic would leave so Emilio wouldn’t lose another parent, but would my nephew go with him? I’d just gotten him back. Ultimately, I wanted what was best for Emilio, no matter what he decided. “I’m sure he will.”

Nico gave a sharp nod. He turned his body slightly toward his brother Vin, who stood up straighter and cleared his throat. “Romeo, all the Families know you’ve been working with us. Given your history, I’m sure that you can play a middleman associate between all of us and stay in Takoda.”

Rocco picked up with, “The only problem with that is you won’t have the protection and backing of one Family.”

“Unless you choose to join us. Formally.”

Applesauce.Discussions wrapped up quickly after that, and they gave Romeo twenty-four hours to let them know his decision. After stopping and checking on Emilio, finding him curled up asleep in his father’s arms, Romeo and I continued up to the belfry.

“You didn’t look surprised by their offer,” I said as soon as the door closed.

He pulled me into his arms with a sigh. “It’s because I’m not. My uncle was their head enforcer for decades. Their grandfather always wanted me to assume the role after him.”

“But that isn’t the position you were offered, is it?”

He shook his head. “No, Nico wants me to be his bodyguard.”

“Is that more or less dangerous?”

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