I lost myself in Val, in my lust for her until everything else faded into the background, until all that mattered was Val’s slick pussy around my cock, our sweaty bodies pressing into each other, our mouths seeking contact.

With a violent shudder, my release overcame me. Val threw her head back with a hoarse cry, her muscles contracting around me as her orgasm followed mine. I kept pumping into her, my lips pressed to Val’s pulse point.

With a groan, I lowered myself on Val and stayed like that, smelling her familiar scent. My own muskier scent mingled with hers and gave me a sense of possessiveness.

Val stroked my back and kissed my temple. “Will you tell me what happened?”

I released a small breath and rolled off Val. She turned toward me and I pulled her against my body then stroked her sweaty hair away from her forehead. Val regarded me patiently, those stunning green eyes full of understanding. It astounded me how she could trust in me, believe in me. “It’s Orazio, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “And Fabiano.”

Val lifted her head. “Fabiano?”

My anger rekindled, even if I wanted to remain in my after-sex bliss. “Orazio is now Underboss in Boston, and Fabiano is part of the Camorra.”

Val stared. Her disbelief reflected my own initial reaction until it had been replaced by a thirst for vengeance and harsh anger.

Val shook her head. “Why would Luca make Orazio Underboss? It’ll only cause him problems.” Then her lips twisted, realization settling in her eyes.

“Yeah, he taunts me.”

“And now you are going to retaliate.”

“I have to. The question is how. Especially now that Fabiano is part of the Camorra. I can’t attack both the Camorra and the Famiglia.”

Val lowered her chin to my chest. “Then attack the Camorra.”

“I can’t spare Orazio.”

She nodded slowly. “I know. Not after this. But Luca will expect something, don’t you think?”

“For sure. He knows I’ll be furious once I find out about Orazio. He’ll triple his safety measures, at least in New York, and Orazio will have high security as well.”

Val’s gaze became distant. “I wonder if he has a second child by now…” She trailed off.

I touched her cheek. “Don’t think about it. It’ll make things worse.”

“I can’t help it. Sometimes I can’t stop thinking about all we’ve lost, and I don’t just mean the dead. I never get to meet Aria’s children or Orazio’s, and Anna can’t see her godmother. It’s heartbreaking. And now Fabiano. God, what else can go wrong?” She paused but I could tell that she wasn’t done yet. “I bet Rocco wants to walk into Las Vegas with blazing guns to kill Fabiano.”

“Of course. He’s furious, but I can tell that there’s more.”

Val tilted her head the way she always did when she thought hard about something. “It’s strange that Fabiano joined the Camorra instead of the Famiglia.”

“Indeed. It suggests he didn’t have another choice. But why would he find himself in Camorra territory in the first place?”

Val gave me a look. She despised Rocco deeply. I wasn’t fond of him on a personal level either, but so far he’d been a valuable asset when it came to strategical decisions.

“You think Rocco is the reason why Fabiano went to Las Vegas. Why would Rocco do that? It makes him look bad. Considering that his daughters are already in the Famiglia, this will only worsen his reputation.”

“I know, but maybe he didn’t think Fabiano would survive.”

“You think he sent him away to die.”

Val shrugged. “Don’t tell me he isn’t capable of that kind of thing.”

“I’m not.” Rocco was certainly capable of the most depraved acts when he thought they were to his advantage. I ran my hands through Val’s hair. “What would you do in my stead?”

“Don’t you trust Rocco to advise you on this?”

“I trust you absolutely. You are the only person who can say that.”

Val’s eyes became tender. She kissed me but then her brows pulled together in thought. “Like I said, I wouldn’t attack the Famiglia right away. Except for a few smaller raids on labs or clubs near our borders perhaps, just to keep them on their toes. I’d focus on the Fabiano situation for now. Maybe send a team who captures him and brings him to Chicago so you can question him. That way you’ll find out what really went on.”

I smiled.

“What?” Val asked with a hint of embarrassment.

“You should be my Consigliere, not Rocco.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I mean it. You’d be the better choice. You are clever and your heart is in the right place.”

Val pressed a kiss to my chin. “My heart could be a problem when it comes to the bloody side of the business.”

I trailed my fingers down her spine. “But mine won’t. I’m capable of doing whatever’s necessary. But you are right. Maybe it’s a good thing that you aren’t part of the business.”

“I already help with the business. And the majority of your soldiers would go on a warpath if you made a woman, your wife, Consigliere. That’s not going to work.”

“They’d have to accept my judgment.”

Val shook her head. “We don’t need another battlefield within the Outfit, no less. Not to mention that there’s still Rocco. Or have you made plans to get rid of him?”

“You’d like that.”

“I do.”

I chuckled. “Not as innocent.”

“He deserves death for everything he’s done.”

“But so do I, Val.”

She huffed.

“Right now, I don’t intend to remove Rocco. I’ll wait until Fabiano tells us exactly why he’s joined the Camorra before I decide what to do with Rocco.”

Val nodded, then yawned. It was past two and we both had to get up early.

I extinguished the lights and kissed Val goodnight.

For several moments, Val didn’t say anything before her softly whispered words penetrated the silence, “You really think I’d be a good Consigliere?”

I smiled against her hair. “Yes, I have no doubt.”

Sleep evaded me that night and so I got up at five A.M. and crept out of the bedroom with gym clothes. Val was still fast asleep. I changed into my running shorts and a T-shirt and went into the small gym room beside my office. I tried to run at least six miles every morning. This morning I decided on eight miles in the hopes of quieting my restless mind and banishing the lingering tension in my body.

After a quick shower in the guest bathroom and a change into a business suit, I headed into my office. It wasn’t even seven yet, but I had a busy day ahead of me. I needed to visit one of our weapons dealers and then head to the Trentino, one of our newest Underground casinos.

The photos of Fabiano still mocked me on my desk. I picked them up and shoved them into one of the drawers before I bent over the papers with our weapon orders.

A soft click made my head shoot up with narrowed eyes.

Anna hovered in the doorway, half hidden behind the door. Her hair was tousled and she was still in her white pajamas with a pink floral pattern. “Can I come in, Daddy?”