Page 8 of Stolen Christmas
“Let’s get everyone in here first. I don’t feel like repeating myself.”
“Gentleman, please gather around. It seems that our friend Georgie Colombo has been working with Torcello. He had been ready to give him some valuable information. How many people here have allowed him into your homes?”
Almost every single one of the guys raises their hands, including my cousin. I call out to Kev. He’s an enforcer, one of our best and deadliest. Taking him out would leave us heavily weakened. “Kev, is your security code for your home J24329?”
“What the fuck?” His mouth falls open, fists clenching in rage as the truth is laid out before them.
“Yes, as you can see, he collected codes from everyone’s homes.”
“If I were every single one of you, I would go home, change your codes, and add some additional security.”
“What the fuck? He was dirtier than we thought,” Raul snarls, going to his phone and typing away. “I just changed all of my codes.”
“Yes. Georgie was insidious.” The men nod and murmur to each other. “Go ahead and take shifts going to your houses.” I send them out.
My cousin and I have a brief conversation before he leaves again, and then I head to the gym to relieve the tension in my shoulders. After boxing for an hour, I feel a little better, so I take a shower and return to work, reviewing the Torcello family’sfinances and business holdings. It’s time to pay those bastards back.
It’s almost seven when I arrive at my parents’ for dinner. “Luca, I’m so happy that you’re here.”
I wrap my big arms around my mom and squeeze, lifting her off the ground. “Me too, Mother.”
“Hey, hey, be gentle with my woman,” my father growls. I laugh and set her down.
“Calm down, my love.” She pats his cheek, and then my father shakes my hand.
“How are you, Son?”
“Better now that I took care of some business, but I have a feeling things are just getting started. There’s something in the air, but we can discuss that later. I can smell something delicious cooking.”
“Yes, Mari has made your favorite—osso buco and risotto.”
“Ah, my dearest love. She has stolen my heart.” I press my hand to my chest. “Do you think she’ll marry me?” I tease.
“Don’t play around, Luca. She’s been married longer than you’ve been alive.”
“Almost as long as I’ve been alive,” my father teases.
“That’s not nice.” She scolds him with a wagging of her finger, which he then snaps at with his teeth.
“Lord, can you two quit for like five minutes?”
“No. If you had a wife, you wouldn’t be so worried about our behavior.”
“Ugh,” I grunt.
“Dinner is ready. Let’s go into the dining room, and I’ll let Mari know.”
“Sounds good because I’m starving.”
“Do you need any assistance?” my father asks.
“No. You two can have your little chat while I help her plate the food.”
“Thanks.” I wink, and my mom leaves us alone for a moment. My dad’s brows raise as soon as she leaves the room. “So tell me. What’s going on?”
“I had all the guys go home and change their information. I’m not sure if he’s already shared the details, but even if he has, with the changes, they should be safe. What about you and Mom?”
“The house has multiple layers and added security at all major entrances, like you know, so unless he had more listed, there is no way he could get in.”
