Chapter 227

Chapter 227

Leonardo

"Don't play dumb with me, boy." Marco moved to his desk, pouring two fingers of scotch into crystal tumblers. "Three attempts on your life? The hotel, the yacht, and something at a warehouse?" He handed me a glass. "What's going on?"

I accepted the drink, taking a small sip before answering. "Nothing I can't handle."

Marco's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? Because from what I hear, you've got a leak. Someone close is feeding information to your enemies."

The fact that Marco knew so much already was concerning. I made a mental note to tighten my inner circle even further.

"I'm handling it," I repeated, more firmly this time.

Marco studied me over the rim of his glass. "You were always stubborn, even as a boy." He sighed, setting his drink down. "Remember when I first took you out on collections? You couldn't have been more than sixteen. That shopkeeper in East LA thought he could talk his way out of paying what he owed."

"I remember."

"You broke his fingers one by one until he gave up the cash he had hidden under the register," Marco continued, a hint of pride in his voice. "Never flinched once. That's when I knew you were destined for greatness in this business."

I allowed myself a small smile at the memory. "You taught me well."

"I taught you everything I knew," Marco corrected. "And you surpassed me years ago. Your father may run the legitimate side of the business, but we both know who really controls the streets of this city." He leaned forward, his voice dropping even lower. "Which is why I worry when I hear someone's trying to take you out."

I swirled the amber liquid in my glass. "Like I said, I'm handling it."

"At least tell me who you suspect. Perhaps I can help."

I considered how much to share. Marco had been my mentor in many ways, teaching me the unwritten rules of our world when my father was too busy with the legitimate business. But I'd learned another lesson from him as well: information was power, and power was to be guarded jealously.

"Still gathering intelligence," I said finally. "Whoever it is, they're careful. Professional."

Marco nodded slowly. "If you need resources..."

"I appreciate the offer." I finished my drink, setting the empty glass on his desk. "But this is my problem to solve."

A knock at the door interrupted us. Marco glanced at the security monitors, then pressed a button to unlock the door. "Yes?"

Dante burst in, already half-drunk, judging by the flush on his face. "Father! Leonardo! What are you doing hiding in here? The party's already started!"

Marco's expression hardened almost imperceptibly. "Just catching up with your cousin, Dante. Business matters."

"Business, business, always business," Dante complained, swaying slightly. "It's my birthday! Can't you two stop plotting world domination for one night?"

I exchanged a glance with Marco. The disappointment in my uncle's eyes was almost palpable.

"Of course," Marco said, his tone softening with obvious effort. "Let's rejoin your guests."

Dante grinned, slinging an arm around my shoulder. "Leonardo! You look so serious. Loosen up! I've got some gorgeous models out there just dying to meet the mysterious Leonardo Salvatore."

I removed his arm firmly but not unkindly. "Happy birthday, Dante."

"Thirty years old!" he announced proudly. "Father says it's time I took on more responsibility in the family business. What do you think, cousin? Ready to share some of that power?"

Marco cleared his throat. "Dante, perhaps now isn't—"

"What exactly would you do in the business, Dante?" I asked, curious despite myself.

Dante's face lit up at my apparent interest. "I've been thinking about expansion. New territories, new products. Why limit ourselves to the traditional markets? There's a whole digital underground waiting to be exploited."

I had to give him credit for surprising me. "You've been researching this?"

"Don't look so shocked," Dante laughed, extracting a flask from his inside pocket and taking a swig. "I may enjoy life's pleasures, but I'm not completely useless. Father's been making me attend the strategy meetings. Boring as hell, but I pick things up."

Marco's expression was unreadable, but I detected a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"We'll discuss this another time," I said, moving toward the door. "Tonight is for celebrating."

Dante beamed. "That's the spirit! Come on, the DJ is about to start, and wait until you see the cake. It's shaped like—"

"I'm sure it's impressive," I interrupted, not particularly interested in hearing the details of what was undoubtedly an inappropriate dessert design.

We rejoined the party, which was in full swing. The enormous back terrace had been transformed into a nightclub setting, complete with a dance floor, DJ booth, and multiple bars. At least two hundred guests filled the space, moving to the music or clustered in conversation groups around the perimeter.

I scanned the crowd, cataloging faces and positions. Most were harmless: friends of Dante, business associates, the usual hangers-on. My eyes caught on a group of men near the east entrance, clearly security but not Marco's usual team. Interesting.

James materialized at my elbow. "All quiet on all fronts, boss."

I nodded, keeping my voice low. "Those men by the east entrance?"

"Additional security hired for the event," James replied. "We vetted them earlier today. Clean."

"Make sure our people stay alert." I accepted a glass of champagne from a passing server but didn't drink it. "Just because Conrad's intel pointed to tonight doesn't mean we can relax."

"Understood."

For the next hour, I played my part, mingling with guests, accepting birthday wishes on Dante's behalf when he was too intoxicated to acknowledge them himself, and maintaining the façade of the successful, legitimate businessman that most of the attendees believed me to be.

A commotion near the pool house caught my attention. Two of Marco's security men were escorting someone away, and a young woman in a short red dress was protesting loudly.

"She tried to go into a restricted area," James informed me quietly. "Claims she was looking for a bathroom."

"And?"

"They checked her out. Just a party girl, apparently. She's been removed from the property."

I nodded, satisfied with the response. Still, something felt off. The timing of Conrad's information about an attack at this party, followed by nothing happening... it made me uneasy.