Becoming Mrs DeLuca novel Chapter 71

ADRIAN

M

I found Damien waiting for me in the cigar lounge, our usual spot for the weekly debriefing. The air was thick with the scent of tobacco and aged leather, muffling the distant hum of the city outside heavy velvet curtains. So far, New York had proven to be a frustrating dead end—extracting valuable intelligence from the chaos required a patience I was rapidly running out of.

“The don’s been on edge lately,” Damien said as he sank into the armchair across from me. “He’s been taking out men left and right—traitors, bikers, even some of the Brotherhood. People are scared stiff. One wrong step, and you’re done for.”

I shrugged, my voice flat despite the tension. “If you have nothing to hide, there’s nothing to fear.”

But I knew better than to believe that. In this line of work, what people said rarely matched what truly mattered.

Damien caught the unspoken meaning behind my words immediately. “Exactly. But you didn’t tell Rico everything about what happened with Lorenzo or even how Serena died. Given the don’s current mood, that kind of omission could cost you dearly.”

Only Damien knew the full story. Even my father had been given a carefully edited version. He had no idea that Rico had been at my house that day, too.

Father had taken it upon himself to eliminate the cleaning crew and Doctor Sal after Serena’s death, all without consulting me. Sometimes, he forgot I was now Underboss and didn’t need his interference.

“What about Valentina?” Damien asked, shifting the conversation.

I frowned. “What about her? I trust her.”

Damien shook his head firmly. “No. After everything with Serena, you can’t afford blind trust. What if she slips something to her brother? Or worse, to her father? You know Paul Romano—he’d jump at the chance to feed that information to Rico like a gift on a silver platter.”

“She won’t,” I said with conviction. Valentina had never given me a reason to doubt her loyalty. Still, Damien’s concern felt like a cold breeze brushing against my skin, a reminder that family was complicated. Family made mistakes. Family made deals. And family often talked—sometimes too much.

“You’re forgetting Rico is her uncle,” Damien added quietly. “She’s family. Women tend to overlook the flaws of those they love.”

I allowed myself a short, bitter smile. “That’s a blessing, really. Otherwise, neither your wife nor mine would put up with us.”

My shortcomings were far more than minor flaws, but Valentina accepted them without hesitation. From the day we married, she had selflessly cared for Sofia and Stefan, despite her youth and the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Damien let out a humorless chuckle and leaned forward. “Talk to her. Make sure she understands what’s at stake.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but a gentle knock at the door interrupted me. Valentina’s head appeared in the doorway, her voice soft and apologetic. “Sorry to interrupt, but Marco is here. He says he needs to see you.”

I exchanged a glance with Damien, who raised an eyebrow. “Send him in,” I said.

Marco entered with his usual cautious gait, eyes flicking between me and Damien. “Damien, Adrian,” he greeted, lingering near the doorway as if hesitant to cross fully into the room. “Adrian, can I have a word with you alone?”

“As my trusted adviser, Damien will stay. You can say whatever you need in front of him.”

Since the incident last December, I no longer trusted Marco. We had never been close, but he’d been a valuable asset. Unfortunately, my jealousy had strained our working relationship, and I wasn’t a man inclined to apologize. I doubted Marco would have accepted one anyway.

Marco nodded, not stepping further inside. “I spoke with Rico…”

Damien looked like he wanted to book us the next flight out of here. “Rico, what can I do for you?”

“No beating around the bush, as usual,” I said. Rico always got straight to the point. “I assume Marco talked to you?”

“He did. I always thought his work under me would be temporary. Now that he’s family, things got more complicated.”

“That’s what I figured.” He paused. “Is there anything else I should know?”

My pulse quickened, but I kept my expression neutral. “In what way?”

“About Marco. You’ve worked with him for years.”

“He’s capable. Tough. Knows how to handle himself. Nothing like his father. You won’t regret taking him in.”

“Good. That’s all for now.”

I ended the call. Damien raised his eyebrows.

“It’s fine.”

“Let’s hope it stays that way. If Rico ever finds out the truth, he’ll bring us all down—your father, you, and me. And it won’t be pretty.”