Page 84 of His Kidnapped Queen
“I’ll take it, all the same.”
Diego shrugs. “No skin off my ass. Only thing I’m paid to do is entertain you, so…”
“You got any other books?”
“A few, in my truck.”
“You carry them around with you?”
“Sure. Never know when you might get a free minute.”
“Most people would play on their phones.”
“Never took much to technology,” he says, but I know that’s a lie. He was considered a tech whiz by the military. Diego was a mysterious man, but it’s not up to me to figure him out.
I’ve got enough to worry about with Luca.
I frown. “He’s been gone a long time.”
“Might take him a while yet. He’s out collecting today.”
“Doesn’t he usually send someone else to do that?”
“Usually, but…” he trails off. “I guess you know that there’s dissent in the ranks.”
“Has been for a while.”
He blinks. “Surprised you cops came up with that so quick.”
“Nico Rossi has always been on our list. He’s been expected to rise up for years.”
I don’t know why I’m telling Diego the truth. I guess it’s just coming out of me. It’s partially because I am worried for Luca. But I think a part of me is also just tired of the lies.
Diego nods. “I’ve been worried about it ever since he came of age myself. I try to tell Luca but…”
“He doesn’t take it seriously?”
He sighs. “It’s more that he doesn’t know what to do with Nico. He can’t bring himself to treat him like he would any other man. He still treats him like his baby brother.
“Diego,” I start, and Diego hums in response, finishing his plate. “Have you ever seen the 2005 adaptation ofPride and Prejudice?”
“I’m not big on movies,” he says with his nose wrinkled and I crow, standing up and washing up the dishes before bouncing into the living room, expecting him to follow me.
He does and I curl up on the couch, bringing up one of the various streaming services Luca has active. I put on the movie and halfway through, Diego islocked in.
He leans forward, his forearms on his thighs, as Mr. Darcy starts to realize his feelings for Elizabeth.
I’ve dozed off by the time the movie is over, but Diego is still staring at the screen, a big smile spread across his face. It’s kind of cute, really, this big military guy going all soft for 19thcentury literature.
“What did you think?”
“I think I should watch more movies. Any more you recommend?”
I laugh but he takes a notepad and pen out of his back pocket, looking at me seriously.
I rattle off a few movies I think he’ll like and he jots them down, gently placing the notepad back in his pocket. Mobsters are a lot different than I would have thought.
This was certainly never in any dossier.
