Page 145 of Scorned Obsession

Ava’s eyes caught mine. She walked toward me. “We didn’t have time to catch up.”

“You’ve been busy.”

“That’s a beautiful ring you chose for Bianca.”

“Thank you for helping me out,” I said.

“Anytime.” She squeezed my arm. Ava accompanied me to the Harry Winston store. I was familiar with the luxury jeweler because diamonds were a lucrative part of our smuggled goods. There was a safe at the Rossi mansion that contained a whole sleeve of the highest-quality diamonds from the Northwest Territories of Canada. A pipeline was about to be negotiated between the Rossis and the Toronto Albanians. But I wasn’t about to put a smuggled diamond on Bianca’s finger. She was getting the full treatment. I would have put a bigger ring on her finger sooner, but a rock that size wasn’t immediately available in the store. Twelve carats. She told me it was absurd to take a two-hundred-grand ring for a spin. Little did she know the ring on her finger was over seven figures.

My gaze lifted in time to see Cesar narrow his eyes to where Ava was talking to me.

For fuck’s sake. I knew he didn’t like it that Ava accompanied me to the jewelry store. Jealous fucker. He retired too early and needed a different hobby other than his wife.

“I hope she’ll keep it,” I said. “She wasn’t impressed.”

Ava shot me a reassuring smile. “It’s hard to impress someone who has been given everything all her life and who the men in my family can’t say no to. But she’s always had a special place in her heart for you, Sandro. You don’t have to buy her things. Just treat her right. Treasure my daughter. I already see that you do. Cesar will come around once he’s assured Bianca is in good hands.”

I chuckled briefly. “I sure hope so.” Ava gave my arm another squeeze and returned to the gathering. The women had reached a consensus to take the party to the third floor.

Maybe I could share a drink with Cesar and thaw the ice between us further.

My phone buzzed.

Griselda calling.

Fuck. I didn’t need her nagging tonight. It was probably about the club.

I silenced her call.

Bianca bounded up to me. “Well, we’re continuing this shindig on the third floor.”

I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a kiss. “I know, baby.”

My phone rang again.

Dammit, Griselda. With one arm still holding Bianca by my side, I dragged out my phone.

It was Tommy.

Frowning, I thumbed to answer. “Yeah.”

“Uncle Raffa’s house has been hit.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant, but dread gripped my muscles. “What?”

“They’re dead, Sandro.” Tommy was shouting and out of breath. I heard doors slamming and urgent voices in the background.

Sticks and Arnie came in through the side entrance.

More than a few of the De Luccis glowered at them. Arnie ignored the hostility and rushed to my side, panting. “You heard?”

“What happened?” Dom asked.

“There was a hit on Uncle Raffa.”

“Is he okay?” Cesar joined in.

I was already striding toward the exit. “He’s dead.”

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