Lorenzo froze. “What was his name? Do you know his name?”
“A Chinese millionaire, Kei Hi-ho something.” Catalina nodded. “After she died, they had special television broadcasts on her life, hers and Fabiana’s. I couldn’t stop watching them. This man of hers didn’t come to the funeral. That’s why I remember him. The news said he was too upset and lives in seclusion or something.”
In his gut Lorenzo felt the connection was there. This could be it. The one thing he could give his cousin that would gain his unwavering trust. Dominic would no longer be consigliere. Lorenzo would be at Giovanni’s side making all family decisions. He couldn’t believe his luck. “Kei? Chinese? I love it!”
Catalina frowned. Lorenzo swept her up in his arms and spun her around the terrace. Catalina squealed, trying to break free. “I love you! This is it! This is it!”
“This is what? Why do you want to know about Mira?”
“We’re going to get Giovanni back. Mira Ellison is the way to do it.”
“But… she’s dead.”
Lorenzo stalked away. He needed proof. And he knew exactly how to get it.
Chapter Two
Milan, Italy
Four days later
“Why are we here?”
“Lo says it’s important.” Dominic answered.
Milan was Lorenzo’s new home. He’d lost the property in Bellagio to Giovanni. It was part of his punishment, a small part, for being such a royal fuck-up. However, Giovanni did allow him to keep the place in Milan. Irritated and a bit fatigued from his schedule, Giovanni opened the door and started out. The temperature was on a constant decline. The heavy wool threads of his trench coat offered little warmth. The wind blew his hair from his brow and tickled his bearded jaw. Catalina had been on him to shave it. He refused. He kept it neatly trimmed low to his jawline. It connected with his mustache and sideburns. The change reflected more of him now than the man she wished would resurface.
Icy rain fell lightly from the sky and his driver held an umbrella large enough to cover two men over his head. He stalked across the street and headed to Lorenzo’s doorstep. Dominic followed close behind. Before he climbed the front steps the door flung open, Giovanni lifted his gaze and met his cousin’s expectant stare.
“Gio.” Lorenzo smiled brightly, sweeping his gaze over the three of them. “Benvenuti.” Lorenzo held the door open.
Giovanni entered. The place had none of the comforts he knew Lorenzo was accustomed to. His mouth thinned into a sour grin over the misfortune. Served the bastard right. Carlo and Carmine sat at the small kitchen table on folding chairs. Renaldo was in front of a television set on the recliner watching a soccer game. The men rose.
Carlo spoke first. “Gio.”
Carmine who was only twenty-two followed his mentor’s lead. He had proven himself to be a good earner. “Hi Boss.”
Giovanni refused to remove his coat. He had no intentions of staying long. His gaze tightened on Lorenzo. “Dica? Why did you summon me? I have business back in Firenze,” he asked in a low voice, taut with impatience.
Lorenzo walked over to a small table in front of the sofa. On top of it was a long brown envelope. “Fish is dead. We got him.”
Giovanni shrugged. The fact that it took his men close to two years to kill the bastard burned his gut. Lorenzo continued, almost smiling as he spoke. “I’ve come into some information. Please sit, Gio. There’s more to discuss.” Renaldo stepped away from the only comfortable chair in the room. Giovanni glanced to Dominic who shrugged that he had no clue what Lorenzo was up to. That didn’t surprise him. Lorenzo never hid his jealousy of Dominic’s appointment, and disrespected him often.
“Don’t waste my time,” Giovanni said taking a seat.
“I know that Mira Ellison’s death has caused you pain.”