LOGINFor the next five minutes, the only sound was that of Luca vigorously striking keys. Then he muttered a quick, "Yes!" and smiled. He turned the screen so that Massimo could better see it."We're in," Luca reported. "Only temporarily, of course—we've got fifteen minutes maximum."Massimo scanned the
"You know what," Massimo said into his cell phone, forcing his tone to stay casual. "You should clean up your place before you go anywhere.""I suppose I could be more thorough," Luca replied. "I don't like how much dust gets caught on the window's curtains.""Better to take care of that before alle
Massimo heard a car approach. He rushed to the windows, hoping that Elena had called a cab.But he didn't see a cab. Instead, he saw a nondescript black van pull up next to a nearby telephone pole. Massimo frowned.It didn't have any of the usual signage, but Massimo could recognize a repurposed FBI
Elena was so frustrated. Because this was the problem, wasn't it? How was she supposed to trust Massimo when he had been lying and sneaking around behind her back?Wasn't that just what her parents used to do? Wasn't Tyler using similarly ridiculous schemes—albeit with more force—to get her at his s
Elena tried to change directions but found herself at a dead end. Worst of all, the aisles were too cramped for her to slip by her step-mother. There was no way to avoid the woman."Are you ready to leave?"Elena hadn't been ready to hear that deep, steady voice again, but between Massimo and her st
Massimo stared at the fuel gauge, as if that would change the fact that the motorcycle didn't have much gas left. At least the damn thing beeped before it was completely empty—getting stranded on a deserted street with no easy way home truly would be the worst way to end this evening-into-morning ad
It was obvious Elio was having a bad evening, and Massimo knew why."My doctor has a great skill of cutting directly to an issue," Massimo said as he looked directly at his brother-in-law.Judging by the jolt in Elio's posture, Massimo knew he had guessed right. Elena's words had struck Elio's consc
"Then it's the only thing that isn't a huge problem," Massimo sulked.Elena sat down next to him. "What's bothering you?""The Contis keep pushing for more and more power," Massimo admitted. "That lucky number nonsense was made up on the spot to make us look bad. And why would anyone bring up the la
"I wouldn't know. I never went on one.""Really?" Elena couldn't help but be surprised. "Not even for mafia business?""My parents were dead at that point," Massimo explained bluntly. "And my grandfather wisely decided having other dons visit us was less dangerous. Of course I traveled by plane for
As Massimo's lawyer finished speaking, everyone in the court fell silent. Elena couldn't blame anyone—the idea that the Mafia King hadn't tried to kill her but save her was something no one would ordinarily expect."Think about," Mr. Barbieri continued. "Really think about it! You're surrounded in a







