Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

Romeo

Everything that happened today after I pulled my tongue from Cory’s luscious body had sucked. Vincenzo Buccelli was a pain in the ass, Rocco was a nuisance, and I’d managed to lose Niccolo’s trust somehow. It had to be more than a couple of missed phone calls, but I couldn’t figure out what. Was he pissed that I’d given

Dante orders to clean up the Huey mess down in the tunnels?

Whatever it was, discussing plans and objectives with the three of them had been icy and uncomfortable. The only person who’d looked more ill at ease than I’d felt was Dante.

Cory mumbled in his sleep and threw his arm over his face, which was adorable and reminded me why I was going through all this aggravation. I’d do anything for this man. “Why are you staring at me like a creeper?” he mumbled, dropping his arm and peering at me.

Leaning forward, I ran my thumb down his cheek and kissed the tip of his nose. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”

He stretched his arms, yawning, then smiled. “No. How long have you been home?”

Home. There was that word again. Had I ever truly had a home before? The closest I’d ever come was probably when I stayed at the Buccelli mansion with my uncle. That time hadn’t felt like this, though. I’d known that was temporary, but this thing with Cory, it could be the real deal as long as I didn’t screw it up.

“About an hour.”

“An hour?” He checked his watch. “Applesauce.” Pushing his covers off, he stood up and jumped off the edge of his mattress. “Come on. We’re going to be late.”

“Late for what?” I asked, confused. The last I’d heard, we were going to spend the evening kicked back together like yesterday.

“I can’t believe I slept so long,” he mumbled to himself as he threw clothes on. He glanced at his watch. “Hours. I slept for hours.”

“Cory.” He ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. What the hell? As soon as he walked out, I grabbed his biceps, forcing him to stop. “Boy, stop and take a breath. What the heck is going on with you? Where are we going?”

He huffed. “Sorry. I meant to text you when I woke up, but then I didn’t wake up, and now we might miss him.”

He tried pushing past me, but I kept a firm grip on his arms. “Slow down. Who are we meeting and why?” Personally, I’d had enough of peopling for one day.

He rolled his head, then exhaled. “You’re right. Sorry, Daddy. We’re meeting Emilio’s father, Frederic, at my house.”

At his house? The home he’d shared with Mac? “How did that happen?”

“He calls me when he can to check in. I’d just stripped out of my clothes for my nap earlier when he reached out. I told him my new Daddy was looking into it for me, but we needed some information. He probably would’ve come here, but the Buccelli presence has been so strong that I didn’t know if that was a bad idea, so I told him to go to the house. Is that okay?” He stared up at me imploringly.

Like I’d ever tell him no if it involved his missing nephew. “Sure. Good idea. Let me grab my girl, and I’ll be ready.”

His eyes widened. “You’re going to take your knife? Why? I know Frederic. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.”

“Maybe not, sweet boy, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be happy to see me.”

“But he doesn’t know you.”

I smiled tightly. Sometimes it was better to show than tell. I gave him a quick kiss. “Get your shoes on, and let’s go.” Then I retrieved my karambit.

Cory and I had barely exchanged a word since we left the hotel. He was obviously annoyed at me for bringing my weapon of choice. I didn’t know how to make him understand that this was how it had to be. The world I lived in was darker than what he was used to. Sooner than later, it would get out that I’d partnered with the Buccellis, and associations like that didn’t go unnoticed.

“Here we are,” he mumbled as we pulled up into a driveway leading up to a mini-mansion. It wasn’t as big as the one the Buccelli Family owned, but damn, it still said money.

Having no clue what to say, I whistled. I figured they’d had money. Hell, the boutique hotel was proof of that, but I hadn’t expected all this. This house, the property, it all screamed money.

“Mac was a CEO, so we entertained a lot. He already owned this place when we met.”

“Wow.”

He side-eyed me. “You hate it.”

I shook my head. “I don’t hate it. It’s just…”

“Pretentious? Boring?” He nodded. “Yeah. I hate it, too. That’s why he helped me fulfill my dream. The Gin Mill is everything this place isn’t.”

He let us in the front foyer, and I stopped, taking a good look around. On the wall to the right was a huge, professional portrait of Cory and his husband. They looked so happy, smiling widely at the camera with their arms wrapped around each other.

“Does that bother you?” he asked, biting his lip. “I didn’t even think.”

“No.” I drew him into my arms. “I like knowing that he made you so happy. How come it doesn’t feel deserted in here, though?”

“Our housekeeper still maintains it. She worked for Mac long before I arrived on the scene, so she still comes in and keeps it clean and aired out. Our gardener was younger, so he moved on, and I hired a landscaping company.”

Housekeeper? Gardener? He’d definitely lived a different life than one I’d ever known. Hell, until the Buccellis, I’d only ever been in the heart of a city. I hadn’t even realized that right outside of the congested streets, skyscrapers, and apartments all crammed together were lovely homes and manicured lawns.

I gave him another squeeze, then let him go. “So what’s next? When will Frederic be here?”

He frowned, glancing at his watch. “He should be here any minute. You want to go into Mac’s office so we can grab all the files from the PIs he’s hired over the years to search for Emilio?”

“Perfect.” As he turned to walk down the hall, I tapped his butt, and he smiled over his shoulder. That was better. Coming here had to be hard for him. Memories could haunt you like ghosts if you weren’t mentally prepared to face them. He led me through a set of double doors into an office the size of his belfry apartment, and my breath caught in my throat.

Cory rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s so embarrassing.”

If I’d thought the portrait in the hall was large, it was nothing compared to the painting of Cory hanging behind the desk. He was much younger than he was now but still as beautiful. “Are you kidding me? Can we move it back to your place?”

Red-faced, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Our place.”

“Our place.” We smiled at each other, and I felt like a total sap.

He pulled me over to a couple of metal filing cabinets and pointed to the one on the left. “I think some are in there, and then I left a few files on his desk. I’ll grab those.”

I nodded, then started pulling open drawers, randomly pulling out folders and checking their label.

“Brother,” a voice boomed, distracting me from something interesting.

Whirling around while reaching for my girl, I saw a man around six-foot-three, thick with muscle and an extra little padding around the middle, rushing toward Cory. I moved with lethal speed, intercepting him before he reached my boy, and put the karambit to his throat.

“Back off,” I hissed.

The big guy smirked. “Who’s your little friend, Cory?”

Cory’s hand gripped my shoulder. “Romeo, stop. This is Frederic. Now put the knife down.”

“Yeah, friend. Put the knife down.” Big man grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Whether Cory knew it or not, this man was a killer. Guess what? So was I.

Instead of listening to either of them, I said, “I will, but first, I think you should officially introduce us.”

Cory huffed, squeezing my shoulder. I had to fight not to cringe or say ow. Damn, he was strong. “Frederic, this is Romeo. Romeo, meet Frederic.”

“Romeo Caputo,” I added for clarification.

Frederic’s nostrils flared. There we go. He didn’t know me, but he knew my reputation. Good . “How did you meet him, Cory?” he hissed. “Do you know who this guy is?”

“Yeah, yeah. He’s a button man. I know.”

Frederic closed his eyes, inhaling slowly like he was praying to God for patience. “He’s not a button man. He’s the button man.” He stepped back, covering his eyes with one large paw. “Fuck. And now I’ve seen his face.” He turned around, putting his back to me. Brave man. “What are you doing to me here, Cory? Are you taking me out?”

Cory slammed his hands on his hips and glared at me. “Who knew all you mobster-types were so dramatic? Turn around, Frederic. Romeo’s my…” He hesitated.

“I’m his new Daddy, and I’m here to help you find your son.”

His hand dropped. “Really?” he asked.

“Yeah.” I sheathed my girl. “Turn around already.”

Frederic’s beady eyes flickered back and forth between me and Cory. “Seriously, how did you meet? Does it have anything to do with that?” He pointed at the discoloration on Cory’s face.

“He stayed in my hotel. And no, although, he did save the day.” Cory took two steps toward the big man, then stopped and peered at me. “Are you going to lose your crap if I give him a hug?”

“I can’t make any promises,” I admitted, frowning.

Cory rolled his eyes, then enfolded Frederic in his arms. The other man reciprocated, staying completely focused on me. When his arms tightened around Cory’s back, I moved my hand toward my knife, and he let my boy go.

Cory turned back to me, glaring. “What did you do?”

I lifted my arms up. “What? Nothing.”

“Don’t be so possessive, Daddy,” he said, coming back and leaning into my side.

I pulled him in close. “Can’t help it, sweet boy. You’re mine, and I don’t like anyone else touching you.”

Frederic’s smirk was back. Not as smirky as before, but he was amused. “Don’t go dating an assassin if you don’t want someone possessive, Cory. That’s all I’m saying.”

Now that, I could agree with. “We’re here gathering all Mac’s files on leads for your son. What can you tell me?” I asked, cutting to the chase. This wasn’t a party. It wasn’t going to do me any favors with Nico meeting with a member of the Pasini family by myself, either.

Frederic ambled over to one of those ridiculous little couches that didn’t look like it was actually supposed to hold a person and sat down. I waited for it to collapse, but amazingly, it held up. “I don’t have shit. Four years I’ve been looking, and all I’m sure of is that someone in the Pasini Family took my son.”

“Aren’t you a Pasini?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

Cory snorted at me. Was I posturing? Yes, I was. But this was how this game was played. Good thing I didn’t intend to take Cory anywhere with me when I dealt with Family business. He’d get us both killed with what others would perceive as a lack of respect. Me personally? It was making my dick hard that he was in a room with two dangerous men and acted like he’d put us both in time-out if we pissed him off any further.

Frederic scowled. “I am, but things have changed. It ain’t like it was when I was young.”

“Are you saying that because it’s true or because you’re pissed that you’re still nothing but a soldier?”

Honestly, unless this guy was a total fuck up, I was kind of surprised about that. He had the look that most Dons wanted, sitting at a table in the room, not guarding the door. So far, he’d also proved that he wasn’t stunada.

His lips tipped up in a half-grin. “There was a day I wanted more. Be Capo and run my own crew. I did everything right to make that happen, too. Married the girl that my Capo at the time picked out for me, then set the girl I loved up in her own little house. Did everything I was supposed to do, you know?”

I nodded.

“Then I catch my Capo banging my wife, you know? She got all wacky, saying it was because I gave my who”—his gaze went to Cory—“side-piece a baby, but never her.” He shrugged. “What did I care? If he’d have asked, I’d have told him to take her.”

“Lovely,” Cory said dryly.

Frederic smiled sadly at Cory. “It’s different in our world. And believe you me, my ex…she knew exactly what she was doing.”

“What’s that got to do with where you are in the Family?”

“My Capo hated me after that. I guess my old lady quit giving it up to him.” He flipped his hand, waving that off. “Anyway, he became a favorite of Don Pacini and got to pick his own crew. He got rid of me, and by then, I was too old to care. I’m fine doing what I’m told, when I’m told. Then Emilio went missing.” His mouth tightened. “I started noticing things.”

“Like?”

“You’d think we’re two different Families. Yeah, we all listen to the Don and follow his orders, but it’s like the Capos are all getting different directives. I don’t know. It’s like something’s going on. I can tell my Capo notices, and he’s pissed about it, too. Some of them, they’re living high on the hog, too high, but his life is the same ol’, same ol’. We’re making the same money, doing the same things.”

This was getting interesting. “Did you ask him about it? See what he knows?”

“Na. I can’t. I got too pushy when Emilio first went missing. My lady, Cory’s sister, was a wreck. I love my son, Romeo. I wanted him back, wanted him safe, but not like his mama did. Me never finding him is what put her in the grave.” He hung his head.

This time, when Cory approached him and the big guy hauled himself to his feet to hug him, I turned back to the filing cabinet to give them a moment of privacy. I didn’t know Frederic, but my instincts told me that Cory had this one right. This was a father who wanted to find his son, no matter what. He was playing a dangerous game by sniffing around, trying to find him.

Pulling out the folder that I’d noticed right before Frederic entered the room, I opened it up and shook my head. “Sonofabitch.”

“What’s wrong?” Cory asked, sidling up next to me. I passed him the blueprints and wrapped an arm around his waist, waiting for him to realize what he was holding.

“He…” He sniffed, unfolding the paper to get a full view. “He was going to surprise me,” he said so softly I almost didn’t hear him.

“What’s that?” Frederic asked, moving to Cory’s other side. “Aw. Mac’s pet project.”

Both our heads whipped in his direction. “You knew about this?” Cory asked.

Frederic nodded. “Sure. Mac was excited. He was hoping it would cheer you up.”

Cory shook his head, looking back down at the blueprints to remodel the tunnels completely and make them usable. “He never said. I didn’t even know the tunnels were down there until the other day.”

Frederic sighed. “I’m sorry about that. I forgot about it, or I’d have mentioned it.” He stiffened. “Did something happen in the tunnels? Is that what happened to your face?”

“Don’t worry about it,” I growled. “It’s been handled.”

“Listen, I know who you are, your reputation, but Cory’s like my brother?—”

“By the Buccellis,” I interrupted.

Frederic’s mouth dropped open. “This is going to get complicated, isn’t it?”

“It already is.”

Cory was still staring at the blueprints, ignoring us. With a tip of my head, I motioned Frederic to step back. “I’m going to give you the number for the burner phone I picked up today. Only you and I will have the number. I need you to send me the names of everyone in your organization that you suspect of potentially knowing what happened to your son. Can you do that for me?”

He nodded slowly. “I can.” He paused. “And the Buccellis? You going to give them this information?”

I shook my head. “Only what they need to know. I have someone else, though. A hacker that I trust. He’s got a way of finding things that are supposed to be untraceable. I want him to do some digging once you send me those names.”

Frederic tipped his head back and exhaled harshly, then looked me in the eye. “I know I’m betraying my oath to the Family and that I’ll more than likely die for it. As long as you find out what happened to my son, I don’t care. He’s my blood. My familia. It was my job to…” He trailed off and ran a beefy hand under his nose. “Please find him.”

I gave him the number, he hugged Cory one last time, and then he exited the room, disappearing as quickly as he’d appeared. He wasn’t wrong. He was an oath breaker. The chances of him getting out of this alive were slim to none, no matter how much I held back from Nico. But I respected the man. Respected his devotion to his child instead of a pack of greedy men who cared about nothing but their own wealth and reputations.

That was a worry for tomorrow. Right now, I needed to get Cory out of this mausoleum and back to the little corner of the world that he’d carved out for himself. He was about to crack all over the place, and we needed to be home where I could glue him back together.