Unraveled (Guzzi Duet Book 1)(28)

The sweetest temptation that had ever crossed his path.

She would certainly be the cause of his eventual unraveling.

Gian didn’t think he would mind.

That’s porn, Gian, Cara’s next message said.

Beautiful porn, he corrected. Then, he sent another right after. I can do it again, oui?

Cara’s reply had him grinning. Hell yes.

He stuffed his phone away, and went back to work.

His mind was definitely not on the orders, though.





“They don’t see it like you’re just doing what you’re supposed to do, though, Gian,” Constantino argued. “The younger Capos—guys like us—see it like you’re standing on Edmond’s side of things, here. That you approve of what he did and how he did it.”

Gian’s jaw clenched, his one and only show of irritation at his best friend’s statement. “You, of all people, know I don’t approve. But what exactly could I do? I was put in a position where I couldn’t do or say anything. He called the vote without telling me that’s what it was, and he made the calls on who would be there for it. There’s nothing I can do now.”

“Not saying anything now certainly isn’t helping your fucking case, either.”

“Don’t forget, it’s my grandfather’s legacy here, too. And I have to consider—”

“Your last name won’t mean shit, with Edmond as the current boss,” Constantino cut in fast.

Stephan nodded his agreement. “Everybody—especially the younger guys—knew it was going to be you next in that seat, Gian. It’s what Corrado was working towards for years, slowly getting everybody ready for a change. He’d sped it up a bit recently, because obviously, there were some issues between the generational lines, and he probably thought putting you in the seat would help smooth that over.”

“Corrado didn’t talk about those things with me.”

“He didn’t have to,” Constantino pointed out quietly. “It was expected. Edmond took advantage of a situation you weren’t ready for and it makes you look weak as shit.”

Gian bristled at that comment. “Say that again, cafone.”

Constantino scowled. “I’m only saying it now for your benefit.”

“You weren’t ready for it because of Corrado’s death,” Stephan jumped in again. “Because someone—probably fucking Edmond—put a bullet between his eyes, or ordered it done.”

“We don’t know that he did it,” Gian said quietly.

But he certainly had reason to suspect the new boss.

Every goddamn reason.

“And they were old friends,” Gian added. “He’s given me reason to think it was him, but that’s circumstance, and nothing more. It’s not likely that he did kill my grandfather.”

Gian absolutely planned on finding out, though.

God save Edmond’s soul.

“Friendships mean shit in Cosa Nostra,” Stephan muttered. “Not when power is right there in front of you, ready for the taking.”

Gian passed Constantino a look, not ready to agree to that statement. He’d known Constantino since he was ten years old—unless he had to, unless given no other option, Gian couldn’t imagine putting a bullet in his oldest and best friend. They had too much history, too much time watching each other’s backs.

Friendship did mean something.

At least, to Gian.

“You need to, at the very least, make a statement against what Edmond did to put your own image and respect back in place for the younger Capos,” Constantino said. “Don’t bite the fucking hand that feeds you, Gian, not with this. Those men would have wanted you, and every time they see you running for the boss, or standing at his side, is another day that they feel like it was you that betrayed them, not him.”

Gian considered those words carefully. “And then what if I do, what after that? Then I have a pissed off boss to contend with, and an older generation of men who wouldn’t think twice about killing me to get me out of the way. I’m walking a very thin line here.”

Constantino shrugged. “So, do it carefully.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one sticking the target on your own back.”

“You sure about that, man? Because the way I see it, anyone on your side is not on theirs. And that’s a pretty big fucking target, Gian.”

Fair enough.





Gian headed out the back entrance of the restaurant, entering into the alley where he had parked his Lexus. After the meeting he’d had with Constantino and Stephan, Gian needed five minutes to himself. He needed to get his thoughts together and figure out whether or not the Capos’ warnings had any real merit for him to consider.

Then, his phone buzzed.

Gian pulled the device out of his pocket, ignoring the chill in the air. Cara’s name popped up on the screen, but the message surprised him the most. An image file, it seemed. He didn’t even hesitate in opening it, his grin growing the very second it loaded.

Tanned skin.

Black thigh-high stockings with lace trim at the top.

Red curls framing delicate shoulders and naked breasts.

And that fucking choker …

She had taken the image in front of a mirror, from her painted-red smile down, but it was perfect. He was instantly hard and no longer giving any shits about his problems.