Page 69 of Empire of Seduction

“No, but it wouldn’t be hard to get some molly or coke. I have two brothers who know people.” He winked. “Come on, Vito. You need to relax.”

I rubbed my eyes. Massimo was like a puppy—energetic and sociable, hard to focus. “I can’t. I have a situation I need to deal with today and I can’t be hungover or high.”

“What situation?”

“One of my men was killed the night before last.”

Maz’s expression went slack. “Che cazzo? When were you going to tell me?”

“I wasn’t.” He pressed his lips together, a storm of emotion brewing in his eyes, so I tried to calm him, saying, “I don’t want you involved. You’re not a part of this anymore.”

“You’re my brother and I’m not going to let anything happen to you while I’m here. I want to help.”

I rested my elbows on the island and clasped my hands. “While I appreciate the offer, I won’t bring you back in. You’re out—by your request, I might add. So stay out.”

“Who was responsible?”

“A motorcycle club. The Red Raiders.”

“Wasn’t that who you were dealing with in Toronto?”

I hadn’t shared that information with him. “How do you know this?”

“Enzo, who heard it from Paloma.”

That was the last time I told Paloma something in confidence. “I didn’t realize you’d seen him recently.”

“He’s still my brother and we do stay in touch. I had dinner with him and Gia a few weeks ago.” He finished the cappuccino. “Don’t worry, you’re still my favorite brother.”

Maz and I had always been closest, the two younger sons who didn’t matter, the two who would never lead.

We heard water running upstairs. Looking at Maz, I said, “Do not say anything to her about this.”

My brother held up his palms. “But if you’re bringing trouble to town, don’t you think she should be warned? Are you taking precautions here at the winery?”

“Half of my men are on their way from Toronto. This will all be resolved quickly.”

“They’re not staying here, though. Aren’t you worried?—”

Footsteps on the stairs caused us both to glance over. Maggie came down the steps wearing a pair of my gray sweatpants and one of my SSC Napoli t-shirts—and my dick twitched. Fuck, my clothes looked sexy on her. And I knew she wasn’t wearing panties, which made it even hotter.

I shifted on my stool, wishing we were alone.

Two spots of red dotted her cheeks, but her shoulders were back and she kept her head high. She might be embarrassed but she wouldn’t show it—and my respect for her grew. “Hi,” she said as she reached the floor. “Good morning.”

“Buongiorno, bella,” Maz said and went over to kiss her cheeks. “I’m very glad to see you here.”

“You are?” Her gaze bounced between Maz and me.

“Yes. Maybe now my big brother won’t be such a dick all the time.”

Maggie burst out laughing. “I wouldn’t hold your breath. He’s pretty much set toact-like-a-dickmode at all times.”

Maz found that amusing and I scowled at them both. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

“Yes,” they both answered simultaneously.

“I mean Massimo. You—” I pointed at her “—need to get your sexy ass over here.”

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