Page 12 of Tristano

“Fantastic, as always.” He smiles.

It’s still surreal to see him smile. Back when I first met him, the only person he smiled around was Greer. He’s been her bodyguard for over a decade. Because of their fifteen-year age gap, they banter like only siblings normally do. Hell, I think Greer’s closer to him than she is her own brother.

Then he found out about his daughter and met Danica around the same time. They changed his life for the better. Happiness looks good on him.

“I’m here, sorry I’m late.” Greer rushes in, almost losing her balance.

Enzo shoots up and grabs her arm. “I thought we talked about giving up heels when you’re this far along,” he lightly scolds.

She rolls her eyes and sets her tablet and drink on the conference table.

“Funny, I thought we had that same conversation,a ghrá,” Killian says as he trails behind her with Conor, his second, by his side.

“Are you two teaming up on me now?” she demands.

“Yes,” Killian and Enzo say in unison.

I chuckle under my breath. When Greer walked into our office eight months ago and announced she was pregnant, I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been around a pregnant woman before until her. You never know what will set her off any day. I find it hilarious.

“What are you complaining about now?” a new voice calls out.

I sit up a bit straighter. Don Bastiano Catalini is an intimidating man. One not to be messed with. Unless he considers you part of his circle, you better watch yourself.

Being newly added to said circle still has me on nerves. I still even call him Bastiano from time to time, even though he has told me countless times to call him Bash. It’s unnerving.

As he clears the door, I see his second and third commands behind him, Lorenzo and Giovanni. I nod my head in greeting and remind myself not to shit my pants.

“I need all you men to stop being so overbearing. I’m pregnant, not an invalid. Stop treating me like I might break.” Greer huffs.

“Uccellino, you look beautiful as always, but shouldn’t you get off your feet in your condition?” Giovanni asks as he leans over, kissing her cheek.

“Men,” she mumbles as she sits.

“Any contractions yet?” Lorenzo asks.

“Not yet, but who knows, that could change any minute.” Killian rubs his hands together. “I can’t fucking wait.”

“Thank you, love, for telling the family about my bodily functions. Now let’s get started,” Greer snarks.

Everyone moves to sit down. A clear divide in the room, with Greer sitting between the two families. Irish on one side, Italian on the other. It’s an odd setup. One you would rarely see, but it seems to work for us. At least for now.

“So, what’s going on?” Bash asks from his seat, with his hands steepled in front of him.

Greer picks up the remote from the middle of the table, and the screen across from us lights up. Maps of New York and Chicago pop up, along with one of California.

“Don’t tell me those red dots are all missing girls,” Giovanni moans as he stares at the screen.

“All those red dots areclustersof missing girls,” Greer confirms.

“Hot spots, if you will,” I chime in.

“I wish they represented only one girl, but try more than twenty,” Enzo mutters.

“How do you even let the girls out of your sight?” Lorenzo questions Enzo.

Enzo shoots him a dirty look. “Trust me, it’s taking everything in me not to lock them in our home and throw away the key.”

“While it’s concerning, thankfully whoever’s behind this isn’t hitting our neighborhoods.” Greer soothes before cringing. “Only the edges.”

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