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I JERK AWAKE WHEN I hear a ping coming from the living room. Rolling to my back, I see that I’m in bed alone. I jump out and retie my white robe as I tread down the hall, the morning sunlight brightening the high walls.

When I go into the kitchen, Luca’s sipping a coffee and standing at the black granite island. His angular face that’s unshaven but neatly trimmed is impassive once again, and he’s stylishly dressed in a tailored silver-grey suit and a black dress shirt. There isn’t a dark circle to be found around his vibrant green eyes.

He pins me with an inquisitive gaze, and I tilt my head. He must know I want to finish our conversation now that he’s sober.

“Are you leaving?” Thick disbelief underlines my question.

“We’ll talk later.” Setting down his mug, he strolls across the room to the coffee table and grabs his gun to stash it in the back of his waistband.

“That’s not an answer,” I point out, fixated on his every move as he returns to the island to get his chrome watch from the counter before he slips it on and clasps it firmly shut.

Then he regards me, his jaw set. “I have to get my burner phone at the club.”

“Are you coming right back? I actually wanted to get the kids but not before we talk.”

“Argue, you mean?” he retorts.

“No, b-but we can’t go on like this. Regardless of the message and Tez, I need you to stop drinking. For me and for your children.” I hesitantly add, “I need you to be honest with me about why you seek Simone out. And I need you to come back to me.”

Instead of him lashing out, he watches me without moving and then nods, much to my surprise. “I won’t drink. And she isn’t an issue.”

Relief washes over me, although I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s merely appeasing me so that I’ll obey him. And how are we going to fix this – what will he do with Tez?

Unfortunately, before I can voice my concerns, the buzzer rings, so Luca turns to the elevator and presses the button to connect with the receptionist.

“Yes,” Luca says.

“Mr. DeMiliano, Adriano, Logan, and Henry are here.”

Luca makes a face before replying, “Send them up.”

“Why is Adriano here? Did he bring the twins?” I ask, hoping to see Milana and Noah because my heart misses them too much. A night away from my newborn twins feels like a lifetime.

“Fuck!” Luca grumbles, shifting back to the island and propping his hip against it as I finger my long, messy hair to make myself a bit presentable. “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him. Don’t say a word,” he warns right before the elevator opens and Adriano strides inside with Logan and Henry on his tail.

All three of them frown at my ruffled state and then look at Luca, who appears fresh and composed as he buttons his suit jacket and I pull my robe tighter.

Adriano settles his attention on Luca while we stand around the kitchen island. “I heard there was an issue last night with someone from management.” He glances at me and then motions to Logan and Henry. “And I know these two are playing dumb. Who was at the club so late and what the fuck happened? I’m not going to ask some fucking guard!”

Luca and I glimpse at each other, which sets off Adriano, and he scrubs his beard. “What the fuck is going on between you two?”

“Where are the twins?” Luca changes the subject, and Adriano cocks his head ever so slowly in the most frightening manner, but Luca doesn’t stand down.

“They’re perfectly fine with Cam. But I suggest you answer my question, underboss. I’m not in the best mood because I sense something is being hidden from me. You were all acting strange last night.”

When no one speaks, my bitterness and frustration with all of them bursts out, “Oh my god! Can the Syndicate not meddle in my marriage for once?!”

Adriano’s scowl turns to me before it becomes curious as we look at each other. I’m clenching my fists, and when Adriano and Logan see it, a crease forms in each of their brows. I realize how manic I must look, but Luca, whose face flames with fury, incenses me and I’ve reached my limit.

“Everyone get out! I need to talk to my husband,” I yell, and they all stare at me and then at Luca while silence ensues.

Abruptly, Luca addresses Adriano, “We’ll talk at the club.”

“Fine. Now,” Adriano orders and paces to the elevator with Henry as Logan mouths, “You okay?”

I shake my head when Luca commands Logan, “We’re going.”

And Logan glowers at him but follows Adriano.

I rush to Luca to stop him, murmuring, “Don’t do this. I have no idea what you will reveal or do, and I want my kids!”

Gripping my wrists, he jostles me and whisper-shouts, “Calm down. I have to talk to him.” And he lets go of me.

I shrink back as he passes me and while I stand with my back to them, they exit. Loneliness descends upon me, and disappointment toward Luca overpowers my other emotions.

In a despairing stupor, I shower and dress in black wide-leg slacks and a white long-sleeve top. After combing my brown hair into a high bun, keeping my bangs side-swept, I sit in front of the mirror of my vanity and put on my Swarovski ruby red earrings I got from Luca on my birthday.

At that moment, I hear a phone chime and follow the sound to the living room where my gold clutch from last evening lies on the couch. Opening it, I see a notification of a birthday in my calendar, and then I recall that I took a photo of Tez’s phone screen last night.

“Oh, my god, I must be crazy!” I berate myself out loud, tapping on photos and clicking the last picture.

The image is a bit blurry, but I did manage to take a pretty good shot of his most recent calls, which are local numbers. I recognize Carmine’s number and notice he was called by one number three times yesterday. Hurrying back to the kitchen, I open the top drawer to take out a pen and yellow notepad, and I squint to make out the digits as I write them. Then I ensure my phone is set to private so that caller ID is blocked and call the number, bringing my device to my ear.

“Rudd,” a gruff male voice answers, and I end the call instantly in a panic, dropping my phone on the counter.

“Rudd?” That name sounds familiar.

Grabbing the mobile, I tap it against my chin as I rack my brain until it dawns on me that bar owner from the attempted raid on New Year’s Eve was named Rudd. He was killed by the Syndicate.

Shit. I needed this man’s first name!

Without hesitating, I open the internet browser on my phone and type in Rudd. But I get too many results of actors, singers, politicians, and authors with that surname – it’s a very common name. Yet this is much too coincidental.

I must update Luca! No, he’s not in my corner anymore. I’ll call Michael!

When I start to tap on contacts to talk to Michael, the elevator suddenly opens. I hop off the bar stool as a medium-built man strolls inside, looking rough in a wrinkled coat and with stubble on his jaw as he scratches his brown crew cut furiously.

Then I freeze, extreme panic rendering me motionless.