She looked up from the cutting board, trying to muster enough bravery to meet the Capo’seyes. It only lasted a few seconds.
"I don’t know. He didn’t say," she answered truthfully.
That was the usual Flavio style. Not sharing with people. "But you have a theory,"
A quiet sigh escaped her lips. Whatever she’d been thinking wasn’t something she wanted to share with the man. He scared her endlessly. Along with his younger brother. She tried not to get in their way and keep to herself because she had been in a spotlight for too long. The whole slaughter scene from the restaurant was still replaying in her mind, and none of the men had made it better or easier on her.
They were brutal and merciless, Anastasia knew that. They could kill anyone just because they wanted to. Exactly like her father, uncle and every Made Man she’d met throughout her life. And even though Noah and Flavio hadn’t given her a reason to fear them yet, she wasn’t foolish enough to test them by speaking more than completely necessary.
Noah rolled his eyes, rising from his seat and advanced to the counter, putting his hand over the knife that was in the girl’s hand. "Look at me, for fuck’s sake," he seethed.
TheCapohated when someone ignored him. Even if he knew the reason why Anastasia was fearful to talk to him, he wouldn’t tolerate her behavior. She was under his protection and that wasn’t going to change anytime soon. As Noah wasn’t even considering making peace with theNew York Famiglia. Giving the girl back would be the first step in achieving that.
Anastasia slowly looked into his eyes, fighting with herself not to look away. "I’m not fond of hurting innocent girls. Especially when they are not even legal. But that can change at any moment if you keep acting like this. You’re here, safe and sound because I ordered it. Don’t make me change my mind," he warned the girl.
"Noah, stop threatening her," said Flavio as he walked up to them.
He was only wearing his black sweatpants, exposing his scarred chest. The worst was hid underneath the tattoo that covered half of his back, extending from his bicep to the collarbone. It was a wing tattoo.
As much as Noah had been hurt throughout the years of learning how to fight and being disciplined by Marco, the Underboss could add to those many marks suffered during the time of his kidnapping. The time of Sienna’s death.
Noah smiled. "I’m just having a little bit of fun, brother," he explained, taking a piece of the carrot that Anastasia had been chopping. As Flavio went to his bedroom, Noah followed him.
"You need something?" asked Underboss.
"Why?"
Flavio didn’t need more than that to realize what his brother was actually asking him. He’d expected this question once Noah found out about him taking Anastasia in. What was more, he could even name all the reasons that were running through theCapo’smind.
"I don’t trust anyone to do a better job at keeping her safe," Flavio said, pulling a t-shirt over his head.
Noah frowned. "Cristian is free since he’s not guarding Inéz anymore."
"Yes, and he is also the guy she was with in that basement. I can already imagine how freaked out she would be to see him. Let alone be guarded by him."
"The girl is scared of us too. So, I hardly believe it makes much of a difference. She trembled when she heard your voice all the same. Besides, she fucked a Made Man. She can overcome her fear."
The Underboss regarded the man, shrugging. "If Filippo Bazzoli decides to get the girl back, he will most likely find out that she’s here with me. Maybe that will be enough for him to realize how stupid of an idea his rescue mission is."
That was a solid plan, however, Noah doubted that it was the main reason why his apartment was safer. But he didn’t want to quarrel over the matter anymore. He didn’t care that much what his brother did as long as it didn’t involve dragging the Famiglia into any more problems. And he couldn’t see one of New York’s Capos crossing the borders of Las Vegas anytime soon.
He nodded. "You’re meeting with the twins?" he asked.
Flavio chimed in, readying himself. "I need to know what they thought of today’s initiation. It’s the best time to get something out of them."
Noah laughed at his brother’s words. Only he could actually make plans with someone just to get them to talk. Even though he liked the twins, he was somehow able to keep their business and friendship clearly separated. Something Noah had a hard time doing most of the time.
"You’re going?"
"No. You’re probably going to go to the club anyway, and I shouldn’t be there."
"Because you’d fuck Inéz? It’s not something that would register as suspicious to Gastone. He wants her himself. If anything, she’s going to fuck up her job when she’s caught listening into the fucker’s conversation again. Or going through his documents out in the open."
It was clear that Flavio wasn’t fond of Inéz having such an important job. He didn’t believe it could end well mostly because he’d already gotten involved twice in her incompetent moves.
"Sooner or later Gastone will catch up on it. And it’s probably going to be before the girl can get anything useful at all. He will kill her without hesitation."
The Capo pursed his lips, thinking of such a possibility. Of course, he had to consider it, but usually, it took a backseat in his head. He wanted to get rid of his Capodecinawithout losing his soldiers’ respect, but at the same time, he couldn’t imagine Inéz paying the ultimate price for his decisions. Flavio knew that all too well.
He advanced towards his brother, tapping his shoulder lightly. "I know you have to think of the Famigliaand that at the end of the day it’s your call to make, but if Inéz gets caught not only will the Famiglia struggle, but she also won’t make it
