Page 23 of Dangerous Deception

Here, I’ve failed.

“We’re dealing with one,” I say quietly. “The rest are up to you. I’ll support whatever message you want to send.”

Ruby nods, tucking a strand of pink hair behind her ear and clutching her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “You know how it goes here. We get them drunk and take their money. I guess one of them caught on too quickly or didn’t drink enoughand then decided that violence was how he wanted to pay us back.” She shakes her head.

My eyes fall back to her busted lip. “I’m going to make sure the doctor visits.”

“Raffaele, we’re fine.”

“That’s not a request, Ruby. No one goes back to work until she gives the all-clear, understand? And give everyone some time off. I’ll get people in to fix the place and it’ll be as good as new.”

Ruby squints at me, then she sighs and nods. “Fine. Not sure howthatfits into your hardcore reputation, though.”

“No one will find out.” I smirk softly. “Keep me updated, okay?”

Ruby leans up and kisses my cheek. “Gotcha.” She returns to the side of the other woman, and I leave quickly, not wanting my presence to linger too long. Part of the reason my business model works is because I don’t hang around. My people don’t have to worry about me, but they know I will be there the second they need me.

I head outside and gaze up at the starry sky, mulling over the next steps. The Irish might seek compensation for the death of their man, and I don’t think the Captain will care much that it’s more than they deserve.

Vito joins me ten minutes later and groans. “I’m pretty sure they work for Hector.”

“Hector O’Brien?” I roll my eyes. “Great. Just when I thought he was too stupid to get involved in my territory again.”

“Could be an honest mistake,” Vito replies. Upon catching my disbelieving glance, he snorts. “Okay, likely not. Maybe the fucker’s just testing the waters. Making sure you’re still around.”

“Why, do people think I’m dead?”

“Nah, but you got married. Everyone always expects some kind of softening when a woman is involved.”

“Those people haven’t met Italian women,” I say flatly as Adelina fills my thoughts. She’s barely spoken to me all week since I told her she couldn’t leave the estate. I just hope she understands that it’s for her own safety.

“Speaking of…” Vito grasps my arm and halts my approach to the car. “I was doing some deeper diving into Pascal.”

“What for?”

“His businesses, mainly. Given the luxury items he deals in, I couldn’t quite understand how he was in debt and struggling while also making such a profit.”

“You think he’s gambling or something?”

“I don’t know,” Vito sighs, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. “There’s something not adding up. The amount he spends is vast, but his businesses don’t seem to be profitable. Then he gets regular large cash injections but also still needs to take out loans and needs you to bail him out?”

A sudden prickling warms the back of my neck. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying… it’s almost like he purposely overspends to put himself in debt.”

“Why the fuck would he do that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe so someone can bail him out?”

“That—” My phone trills to life and halts my words as I pull it from my pocket to see Levi’s name flash up on the screen. My stomach knots. “That’s messed up.”

“But concerning enough that I’ll keep digging.”

“Alright.” I hit answer. “Levi?”

“Boss!” His panicked, sharp tone immediately turns my gut into a vat of acid and pain lances up my throat.

“What is it?” I demand sharply.

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