Page 284 of Niccolo

We were both worried about Massimo.

And I reminded myself of all the reasons Valentino had to hate me.

Let it go.

“Hold on, I have to go get her,” I said, then walked out of my bedroom and down the hall to Dario and Alessandra’s room.

I rapped lightly on the door.

“Who is it?” Dario’s muffled voice said.

So he wasn’t sleeping, either.

“Niccolo,” I answered.

“Come in.”

I walked in to find him sitting up in bed next to Alessandra. They appeared to have been talking.

“Is it Massimo?” Dario asked.

“No. Valentino wants to talk to Alessandra.”

My sister-in-law looked surprised –

But it wasn’t bewilderment, likeWhy me?

More like,Why is he calling me NOW?

Hm.

Interesting.

Alessandra got out of bed, pulled on a robe, and took the phone from me.

“Thank you,” she said and walked out of the room into the hall.

Dario waited a moment until she was gone, then asked me, “You still think there’s no chance Caterina has found Valentino?”

“I’d say we have more pressing matters at hand.”

“Touché. Any word from Roberto?”

I shook my head grimly.

For the next couple of minutes, we talked about what we would do if we didn’t hear from Roberto soon.

None of our options were good.

Finally, Alessandra returned and handed me the phone. “Thank you.”

“Anything to report?” I asked.

“No,” she said a little too quickly.

Bad poker face.

I knew a certainconsiglierewho could have given her some lessons…

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