Ice Princess: A Dark, Mafia Romance, page 2
I've heard this a hundred times before, but the raw pain in Peter's voice still hits me. His father was a good cop, one of the best. His murder three years ago rocked the department, and it's been eating at Peter ever since.
Peter is convinced the D’Amatos were the ones who killed his father, but there is no proof. So, Peter’s relying on other crimes to put them away. I can’t blame him. The law doesn’t always work the way it should.
"Look, I believe you," I say, trying to sound reassuring. "But we need more than just a hunch. We need solid evidence."
Peter's eyes flash with anger. "Evidence? They're criminals, Henry! Every breath they take is a crime against this city. My father knew it, and they killed him for it."
I hold up my hands, placating. "I know, I know. And I'm with you on this. We'll get them, eventually. But we have to do it right, or they'll slip through our fingers."
Peter nods, but he doesn’t relax. The tension remains in his shoulders, and his hands ball into fists at his sides. His obsession with bringing down the D'Amatos has only grown stronger over the years. The intensity of it had his last partner asking for a change. I can handle him, but sometimes, I worry about how far he'll go to get justice.
I turn back to Lana, my eyes narrowing as I study her face. She's a puzzle I can't seem to crack, and it's driving me crazy that I want to, and not necessarily in an effort to protect and serve.
"It is strange how your warehouses keep attracting police attention."
She smirks. "Perhaps the police have nothing better to do than to harass law-abiding citizens."
“Law-abiding?"
"Prove otherwise, Detective," she challenges, her eyes gleaming with defiance.
“I’m going to take a look around,” Peter says, heading to the warehouse without waiting for my response. I’m glad. Her attitude only keys him up.
She steps aside. “We keep an inventory. If something’s missing, I’m billing the city.”
I turn away to hide the upward twitch of my lips. How perverse of me to find her attitude compelling.
“So, what… you’re guarding me? Worried I’ll run off?” she says to me.
“Not at all. I can tell you’re a woman who likes to face down her enemies.”
Her lips quirk up. “Is that what we are, Hank? Enemies?”
I don’t love the name Hank. “Henry or Detective Lutz.” I can’t fucking believe I just gave her permission to use my first name.
“Mmm, Henry.” Her voice is smokey and sounds like she’s savoring something rich and decadent. It makes my dick twitch.
The tension between us is palpable, crackling like electricity. I'm acutely aware of how close we are standing. But I can't let myself get distracted. This woman is dangerous, in more ways than one.
I look into her eyes, and I'm struck by the determination I see in them. She's a fortress, unyielding and impenetrable. The man in me wants to get inside her, not just physically but in her mind as well. The cop in me can’t think like that.
I take a step back, trying to clear my head. This attraction, this pull toward her is a liability.
A moment later, Peter returns, his face the epitome of rage and frustration. "False alarm, Henry. Again.” His eyes dart to Lana with barely concealed hatred.
I nod, keeping my expression neutral. "I see. Well, Miss D'Amato, it seems you're in the clear. For now." All of a sudden, it feels too intimate to use her first name. Especially in front of Peter.
Lana's lips curve into that cold smile I’ve come to know. “It’s Lana. Perhaps next time, you'll think twice before wasting everyone's time."
I clench my jaw because there’s something about this that feels off. A nagging feeling settles in my gut. Have we been played? The anonymous call, the conveniently empty warehouse. Not once, but several times now. It reeks of a setup, perhaps another Family out to get hers.
Or someone in the PD is tipping her off and she’s able to hide their crimes. I glance at Peter but quickly dismiss him as being in the D’Amatos’ pockets. He hates them too much.
It’s possible I’ve underestimated Lana D'Amato. She’s cunning. She’s certainly able to stay steps ahead of us.
My eyes follow her retreating figure. She’s good, I’ll give her that. But everyone slips up eventually. And when she does, I’ll be there to catch her and put her in jail.
“Let’s go, Peter.” I slide into the driver's seat of our unmarked car.
Peter slams his door shut, making the vehicle shake. Before I start the engine, he slams his fist into the dashboard. "Dammit, Henry! We're getting nowhere with these bastards!"
I sigh. "Easy, partner. We'll get them. It just takes time." I’ve been at this game longer than him. Over time, a good detective needs to develop patience.
Peter's laugh is hollow. "Time? It's been three years since they killed my father. How much more time do we need?"
I pull the car away from the warehouse. As we head back to the station, I mull over our situation. The D'Amatos are slippery, no doubt about it. Every lead we follow is a dead end. Every search comes up empty. It’s like trying to catch smoke with our bare hands.
But it’s not just the case that worries me. It’s Peter. I glance at him from the corner of my eye, noting the tension in his jaw. This obsession is eating him alive. Perhaps he shouldn’t be on the case, although I can’t imagine anyone being able to keep him away from it.
I want justice for his father as much as anyone. He’d been a good cop. Decent. Well respected.
"Look, Peter, I know you're frustrated. Hell, I am too. But we can't let them get to us like this."
"They're laughing at us, Henry. Every time we show up, it's like we're the punchline to their sick joke."
I nod, understanding his frustration all too well. "I know. But we’ll get them. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but we will. The D'Amatos aren't invincible. They'll slip up eventually, and when they do, we'll be there."
Peter's shoulders sag, the fight draining out of him. "You really believe that?"
"I do," I say firmly. "We just need to stay focused, stay smart."
A ghost of a smile crosses his face. "Thank you. I appreciate your having my back."
“Of course. We'll get justice for your dad. I promise you that."
“I need you to keep having my back on this.”
Automatically, I nod, because of course, any cop would have his back. Then again, his last partner felt Peter was too intense. I don’t want to support his falling into a black hole of obsession and anger. He needs a hobby. Or maybe to get laid.
I can’t help with either of those, but I can get him a drink and hang out. “Look, we’re off the clock now. How about a beer? Let off a little steam.”
“Yeah, okay. We’ll get those motherfuckers another day.”
My mind drifts to Lana, picturing her in jail. It’s a fucking shame. In a different world, I would ask her out despite her being so much younger than me. She’s a sexy, smart, beguiling woman. Or maybe it’s my dry spell with women that has me so enchanted by her.
Later that night, I replay the search, looking for any tells or slip ups from Lana’s comments. There’s still something not right about this whole thing, and I can’t help thinking I’m enmeshed in some twisted game.
3
LANA
The next few days are quiet, but I don’t trust it. Any moment, Rinella will pull another stunt and I’ll have to face the police again. As much as I enjoy looking at and bantering with Detective Lutz, I’m sick and tired of all this bullshit. So I don’t let up. I continue to be on alert and prepared. But it makes for long, tiring days.
I step out of my car, exhaustion seeping into my bones. The D'Amato estate looms before me like a fortress. I grew up here with my parents and brothers. With my parents deceased from a car accident, my brother now rules the roost, but as it’s our family home, I stay, although I sometimes want to leave and live on my own.
I make my way to the front door, my mind still spinning on the craziness Rinella has brought on us. No, not him. Elio is at fault for not marrying Rinella’s daughter. I get why he reneged on the arrangement. After all, who am I to get in the way of true love? But it’s been so frustrating to be reeling from the day's events.
Detective Lutz's face flashes in my mind. I clench my jaw, frustrated by the unwelcome attraction that sparks every time I see him. He's the enemy, I remind myself, a threat to everything we've built.
I enter the foyer and make my way to the stairs, wanting to go up to my room to freshen up before dinner.
“No hello to your family?”
I glance toward the living room to see Elio standing in the entryway. He looks ridiculously happy. It adds to the irritation prickling my nerves. Not that I’m not happy for him, but it highlights how alone and empty I feel.
I glance in the room and see Piper cuddled up on the couch with Elysse. The picture-perfect family. It makes my stomach churn.
“I didn’t realize you were home,” I say by way of answer.
“You sounded like you were at your limit.”
I frown. “I’m handling things.”
He laughs. “Then why all the desperate calls?”
Grr.
“Join us for a drink before dinner,” Piper says from the couch.
“No drinks for you,” Elio says to her, and I don’t know how it’s possible, but his expression is even more saccharinely, disgustingly happy.
Piper’s cheeks flush. “Juice for me, but Lana might like something stronger.”
I look between the two of them. Something’s up. I suspect what it might be, but I’m not in the mood to hear it at this moment.
“I’m going up to my room. But at dinner, I want to hear all about your trip.”
“I had fun with my grandma and grandpa,” Elysse chimes in. “But they had to go back to England.”
“Glad to hear it.” I give her a thumbs-up. I look at Elio. “See you at dinner.”
Up in my room, I slip out of my heels, take off my blazer, and go to my bathroom to splash water on my face and pull my attitude together. I don’t think I succeed, but I can’t avoid dinner. Not when there’s so much going on that Elio needs to be caught up on. I slip my shoes back on and return downstairs for dinner.
When I reach the dining room, Matteo drapes an arm over my shoulders. "Looks like you need a drink. I'll fix you something strong."
He heads to the bar in the corner as I make my way to my seat. I accept the glass Matteo hands me, downing half of it in one gulp. The burn of alcohol does little to dull the agitation gnawing at my insides. How long can we keep this up? How long before Detective Lutz and his partner find something we can't explain away?
And why can't I get those damn blue eyes out of my head?
I watch Elio and his family. Elysse's giggles fill the room. Piper and Elio’s faces are glowing with contentment. It’s like Elio found his missing pieces and now he’s whole again.
I worry I’ll never be whole again. What if they’re right and Lazaro is dead? Since the day he went missing, a piece of me has been empty. My parents weren’t saints, but even their loss feels like a hole.
At the time, Elio and I both threw ourselves into the family business, using work as a shield against the grief from our losses. We'd become experts at avoidance, filling our days with meetings, deals, and damage control.
But now, watching Elio with Piper and Elysse, that has changed. The joy radiating from my brother is undeniable. Piper's return has breathed new life into him, softening the hard edges grief had carved into his soul.
And where does that leave me?
I feel a pang of guilt at the bitterness creeping into my thoughts. I should be happy for Elio. He deserves happiness. But witnessing it makes me feel more alone.
Matteo sits across from me, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, lovebirds, how was the honeymoon? Did you even leave the hotel room?"
Elio chokes on his wine while Piper's cheeks flush a deep crimson. I can’t help but smirk at their embarrassment. They brought it on themselves with their lovey-dovey glances.
Elio throws a bread roll at his cousin. "Jealous, Matty?"
Matteo catches the roll. "Of you? Never. I prefer my freedom."
“Everyone knows Matteo is one-and-done when it comes to women.”
He grins. “What can I say? I like women.”
“One and done what?” Elysse asks.
Elio clears his throat.
“Uh…” Piper seems at a loss.
“Playing games,” I answer.
Elysse’s brow furrows, surely not understanding why Matteo only plays a game with one woman. “I learned how to play Rummy. Grandma taught me.”
“Are you as killer at it as you are in Go Fish?” Matteo asks.
“I won three times.”
“We need to take her to Vegas, Cuz,” Matteo jokes with Elio.
Elio reaches over and takes Piper’s hand. “We have some news.”
My stomach clenches, knowing what’s coming and feeling the need to guard against more happy news. God, I’m a bitch.
Matteo’s brows lift and he glances at me. I shrug.
“We’re expecting,” Elio says.
“Expecting what? Trouble?” Matteo jokes again.
“A baby, you knucklehead.” Elio shakes his head.
Elysse bounces in her seat. “I’m going to have a brother or sister.”
“Do you just share the air and get knocked up?” Matteo bites the roll Elio had thrown at him.
Elio clears his throat and Piper again blushes. I roll my eyes, pushing the food around on my plate. The jovial mood is grating on me. I can’t shake the image of Detective Lutz's piercing gaze, or the constant threat his investigation poses to our family.
Clearing my throat, I turn to Elio. "Have you spoken to Vincenzo Rinella yet?"
The chatter at the table dies down. Matteo looks at me like I’ve gone mad.
Elio's smile falters, his expression turning cold. “Thank you for your congratulations, little sister.”
Dammit. I’m the worst. “I’m sorry.” I turn to Piper. “My mind has been preoccupied. Congratulations.” I poke at my food again, the silence at the table growing awkward.
Finally, Elio says, "We just got back. I’ll reach out tomorrow."
I set my fork down with more force than necessary. "We don't have the luxury of time, Elio. These anonymous tips are becoming more frequent. We need to smooth things over with the Rinellas before this escalates further."
Matteo nods at Elio, his earlier playfulness replaced by concern. "She's right. We can't afford to have both the cops and the Rinellas breathing down our necks."
Elio's jaw clenches. "I'm aware of the situation. I'll handle it."
"When?" I press, ignoring the warning bells clanging in my head. Elio is the head of the family. He controls my involvement in the business as well as much of my purse strings. He could toss me out of the business, the house, and out of my allowance. Then what? And yet, that doesn’t make me shut up. "While you've been off enjoying your honeymoon, I've been running myself ragged trying to keep this family afloat."
"Lana. Could you discuss this after dinner?" Piper glances at Elysse. In the past, we talked about business all the time at dinner. I guess now with a child at the table, that is going to change. But why? My dad talked business all the time when Elio, Lazaro, and I were kids.
I turn to her, my frustration bubbling over. "With all due respect, Piper, this is family business."
The hurt that flashes across her face makes me regret my words instantly, but I can’t back down now.
Elio's eyes harden. “You forget yourself, Lana. You will not disrespect Piper.”
I start to open my mouth, but he shuts me up by raising his palm toward me in a “stop” gesture. “If this is too much for you to handle, there is a solution.”
He’s threatening to kick me out of the business.
“I didn’t mean disrespect. But maybe you’re the one who’s put the business on the back burner. We could crash and burn, and you’re lost in your bubble of love.”
“Let it drop.” Elio’s voice dips into lethal darkness.
“Let it drop? Are you serious right now?"
"For Christ's sake, Lana. Can we not have one meal without your self-centered drama?"
I feel his words like a punch in the gut. I push my plate away. "Drama? Any moment, you could be arrested.”
Elysse’s eyes water. “Is Daddy going to jail?”
Piper gives me a scathing glare. Deep inside, I know I’m off the rails, but I can’t seem to rein myself in. I understand the meaning of “to snap”.
“Why am I the only one who cares about this?” I demand.
Matteo shakes his head at me. “That's not fair. We all care."
I turn on him. "Do you? Because from where I'm sitting, I'm the only one losing sleep over keeping us out of prison."
Matteo’s normally jovial attitude drops. “You’re not the only one working here. You’re not Atlas holding up this family, this business.”
I’ve offended him now too.
"Lana," Elio warns, but I’m too far gone to stop.
"No, Elio. You don't get to shut me up. Not when I've been the one carrying the weight of this family." I stand. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering if today's the day it all comes crashing down?"
The silence that follows is deafening. Everyone's eyes are on me. Elio is about to take what little I have in my life away from me. I’ve ruined a relationship with Piper and Elysse before they’ve had a chance to grow.
And yet I go for broke. “If Lazaro were here, he’d be saying the same thing. Would you be dismissing him as easily as you’re dismissing me? Is it because I’m a woman?”
Hurt fills Elio’s eyes, telling me I’ve struck a nerve.
I keep steaming forward. “I’m happy for you, Elio, getting your family and happily ever after. I respect you as the head of the family, head of the business, but the world and the family don’t revolve around you.”
