Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“Why would he keep that information to himself?”
“He’s intelligent enough to know what we are and what kind of true enemies we would make. But in a word, Emme. He’s in love with Emmanuelle, and he would never do anything to hurt her. She was under his protection, and that protection extended to her family. That’s the way he works.”
“And Dario?”
“He’s loyal to Val and Emme. Fiercely loyal to them. I think he’s extended that loyalty to Stefano and Francesca, but he’ll always put Val and Emme first.”
“I don’t know, Geno.” She wasn’t convinced.
“When it comes to shadows, the Saldis have their own myth that seems to have diluted and disappeared for the most part. Fathers told their sons the story. Most have forgotten it, but Val was told by his birth father and then by his adoptive father, Giuseppi Saldi. He thought it was just a story until he noticed Emme’s shadow at a party and his shadow connected with hers. Emmanuelle was a kid still, a teenager. She had no idea anyone other than a shadow rider would have the ability to compromise her shadow. At the time Val wasn’t aware of the full extent of the consequences. It’s a long story, but the bottom line is Stefano and Val worked out a deal.”
“And you trust them to keep that deal? You’re comfortable with the arrangement?” Because she wasn’t.
“Let’s just say, I like and respect both men. Like Stefano I believe it’s safer to keep them close and know what they’re doing at all times. With Emmanuelle, who is absolutely loyal to the shadow riders and her family, Stefano was brilliant in ensuring Valentino and Dario both gave their word of honor to uphold the agreement between families. If they ever did anything to put the shadow riders in jeopardy, Emme would stand with us against them, and both men know that. She’s lethal as hell.”
“Our women could be compromised by other Saldis if this gets out. Your family should never have kept this to themselves. The International Council should have been informed.”
“We informed them as soon as we had as many facts as we could gather that would protect our female riders. Unfortunately, even Emmanuelle didn’t have many facts because Val and Dario didn’t. They had tried to find the original mythology in a library in Sicily but were trying to shut down a human trafficking ring and fighting for their lives. That’s how we came to be allies with them. Both Dario and Val were nearly killed in an ambush, and we threw in with them to shut down the ring. That’s when we discovered that members of the Saldi family had the ability to bind a shadow rider.”
There was more, Amaranthe was certain, so she remained quiet without protesting. She didn’t know what to say, other than the council sent her out without warning her to be careful of her allowing her shadow to seen by others as much as possible. They should have. They should have sent a warning to every rider—male and female.
“The book they need to study the mythology is written in an ancient language, one I doubt Val or Dario would be able to find an interpreter for, even at a university, at least one they would trust. Val’s good with languages, but not that good. He doesn’t go back that far.”
Amaranthe heard the satisfaction in his voice. Not just satisfaction, but animation. “But you do. You have a gift for languages.” There was an extensive library on the same floor as the master bedroom. There was a second library on the middle floor, where the recreation rooms were. She knew Geno loved books.
Geno’s white teeth flashed at her. Briefly, but it was a genuine smile. “I love the written word and always prefer to read any story or document in the original language it was first written in. Translations are often interpreted incorrectly, as anyone going to another country and listening to an interpreter can tell you.”
“Are you searching for this book that has the Saldi myth in it?”
“We can’t do that,” Geno denied. “It would be a violation of trust. We’re being patient. Stefano has dropped the word occasionally to Valentino that I have extensive knowledge in ancient languages, but he only does so in passing, when the subject comes up. He acts like I’m an old soul who likes dead poetry behind my mask of indifference. Occasionally he tells Dario to study the ancient languages with me so he can quote poetry no one else can understand.”
“He’s planting the seed to have you read the book for them.”
Geno nodded. “We need them to do the asking. We can’t volunteer. It needs to be their idea. Stefano hasn’t mentioned my penchant for languages in a while and he won’t.”
“Very clever.” Amaranthe found herself smiling. She still wasn’t certain of Val and Dario being so close to the Ferraro family, but she did understand the concept of keeping enemies close. Keeping an eye on them seemed like a good idea to her.