Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“French, Italian, Greek, I don’t give a fuck. They were ours—and you took them.”
“Stop saying you like it was me,” I snapped.
“You represent all the gangs of Paris, including those psychopaths, the Aristocrats. So yes—you.”
So, he already knew who did it. The same people I assumed were behind the hit.
“I want everything stolen returned to the Vatican Museum. And I want the heads of those who thought they could steal from Rome.”
Any issues I had to resolve in my line of work resided in Paris. This was the first time an international affair had become my problem.
“If you refuse, Italy is prepared to start a trade war with France. That means no pharmaceuticals, no luxury furniture with Italian craftsmanship, no shoes, none of the fashion brands you love so much. And what you love above all else, our steel.”
I couldn’t believe this had escalated in such a manner.
“You aren’t the only one chummy with your president, Luca.”
“Did he ask you to handle this? Is that why you’re here?”
He leaned forward in his chair. “I’m here because that country is my home, and I won’t let some pretentious French fucks desecrate it. You can’t just come in and take whatever you want, not while I’m running the place.”
This was not a problem I wanted to have, not when I had so much on my plate already. Not when I had a woman in my life who needed my attention as well. Even though there were four of us, I felt stretched thin. “I’ll handle it, Constantine.”
“Define handle it.”
“The Aristocrats have been problematic in the past. While they don’t violate the law of the Fifth Republic, they’ve caused issues in other ways. They aren’t like the rest of the gangs in Paris, which are focused primarily on profits. They are focused on culture and hereditary preservation to the point of madness. While we value our history and our culture, we don’t agree with their aggressive approach.”
Constantine stared at me in silence for a few seconds. “You sound like a politician because all you said was a bunch of bullshit.”
“I said I’ll handle it, Constantine.”
“So, I can expect every piece to be returned, along with a couple heads on platters?”
I didn’t know how I would handle it, but I had to placate him for now to figure this out. “Yes.”
“Good.” He was on his feet right away. “I’ll wait for your call, Luca.”
20
LUCA
By the time I got home, I was dead tired. Ready to shower, eat dinner, and sleep hard.
But then Aliénor texted me. I love my new job. She sent a bunch of heart emojis.
I’d had a shitty night and I was dead behind the eyes, but her message still made me crack a smile. I’m glad to hear that. I hopped in the shower and scrubbed down quickly before I dried off with a towel.
By the time I looked at my phone again, she had already texted me several more times. She sent a picture of her office, the view outside the window, and a picture of her eating a chocolate croissant. They just have these in the break room. I ate three today alone.
It’s perfect for you.
Thank you for your…interference.
Anytime. I changed into boxers and got into bed. I would probably skip dinner because I was that exhausted.
I can’t wait until Friday. It’s like the slowest week of my life.
I noticed she was more forward with me than she’d been previously. The touch of her tight tentacles should make me withdraw, but I let them squeeze me hard. I’ll see you soon. I’m going to bed now. Long day.
Okay, sleep tight. She sent a bunch of kissing emojis.
I never used emojis or conversed with anyone who did, but there was something cute about the way she did it.
I walked up to the door, and the doorman immediately let me inside.
My uncle’s boisterous voice could be heard from the other side of the villa. “Let me tell you how this works, shithead. I tell you what to do, and you do it—it’s that fucking simple. Now, do it.”
I walked past the entryway and headed farther inside toward the open living room next to the kitchen. My uncle continued to yell from his office upstairs. When I entered the kitchen, I saw my aunt picking up one of the canapés with smoked salmon and cream cheese and taking a bite. She covered her mouth when she saw me and quickly swallowed it down. “Luca, I didn’t hear you come in.” She set down her champagne and came to me, giving me a warm hug.
“Thank you for having me,” I said politely.
“Don’t say that bullshit.” She pulled away and gave me a gentle smack on the arm. “You’re always welcome here.”
I extended the wine to her, something Andre had picked out for me, a bottle that probably hit my wallet hard but not hard enough for me to notice.