Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

I touched his arm. “I’m fine.”
His eyes narrowed. “I can tell that you’re lying.”
“I’m fine, really. Just a bit overwhelmed. Daniele won’t talk and barely eats.
I’m trying to break through his walls, to find out what happened, but I don’t
know how.”
I led Christian into the living room, even if I worried about Daniele. I’d
check on him later if he didn’t come down soon. Loulou followed close behind,
never letting Christian out of her sight. She was brave, I had to give her that.
We settled on the sofa where I’d had Sybil set up cake, sandwiches, and
cookies as well as coffee. “The kid lost his mother. Of course he’s traumatized.”
“I know, but it’s more than that. He’s avoiding Cassio.”
“Maybe you should let the past rest, Giulia.” The way he spoke it was more a
warning than advice, and his worried expression only affirmed my suspicion.
I set Simona down on the floor when her squirming got too much. She
crawled off at once, heading for her blanket with her toys. “What do you know
that you’re not telling me?”
Christian’s mouth thinned. “I know that Cassio doesn’t want people to
rummage in his past, especially where Gaia is concerned, and I think you should
respect his wish.”
“To protect him or me?”
Christian took a cookie and bit it, obviously biding his time. “Both… and
those kids too.” He motioned at Simona, who squeezed a stuffed unicorn that
laughed shrilly every time she did, causing her to giggle too. Her eyes flashed
with joy as she gazed at me.
“How can I help Daniele if I don’t know what happened?”
“The boy will come around. He’s going to be Underboss one day. His
mother’s death won’t be the last trauma he suffers.” My stomach tightened at my
brother’s cold assessment.
“You’re worried Cassio will hurt me if I try to find out what happened to
Gaia.”
Christian picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, contemplating his next
words if his expression was an indication.
“I don’t think you need to worry. Cassio has been good to me so far, and he’s
good to his children.”
Christian touched my hand, looking at me the same way Cassio sometimes
did—as if I was a naïve child. “Let me tell you something about men like Cassio
that I know because I’m that kind of man. Like him, I’ll be Underboss. Like him,
I’ve survived and done horrible things to make me strong enough for that task.
To get in a position of power in the mafia, you need a dark side. The stronger
that dark side is, the more likely you’ll get into a position of power and stay
there. Nobody threatens Cassio’s power.”
“I know you all have a dark side. You, Dad, Cassio, but none of you have
ever hurt me nor do I think you will.”
Christian laughed bitterly. “Sometimes the dark comes out when it