I quickly give my order for pancakes with extra syrup to the waitress. Sara orders just some scrambled eggs. The idea of eggs makes me queasy.
Once the waitress leaves I make a show of focusing on Sara. “Okay. What's the good news?”
“I did some digging,” Sara starts. “It's actually impressive how much a pretty face and bar tab will get you.”
I frown, not really understanding. Sara was gorgeous. That's why she modeled in New York after all, but I wasn't sure why that mattered to me.
“I went to Red's down on fourth street.”
“You went to Red's? That's Romano territory.” My concern suddenly goes up.
“Don't worry,” she says quickly. “I made sure I was safe. Ethan got me one of the Romano cousins who owes him a favor to watch out for me.”
“Sara, I don't want you risking yourself for me...” I shake my head.
“I know. But, I have to tell you what I learned.” She grins and I can't stay mad at her.
“What?”
“Victoria made a deal with Mrs. Romano that Dante would marry their daughter, Candy,” Sara explained.
“Why would she do that? Candy is two years older than Dante and I'm pretty sure she's gay.”
“It's what Mrs. Romano wants. She's not really interested in what her daughter wants,” Sara explains. “She's wants her daughter married and respectable.”
“What does Victoria get out of it?” I try to think of what the Russos would get from joining the two families. The Romanos were fairly small potatoes, but vicious. They weren't a family I would want to mess around with. They were a family we did as little business as possible with. Shady and dangerous were their best traits.
“This is the best part.” Sara grins like she knows what all the Christmas presents are going to be. “It took me a lot of flirting to get this. And a pretty hefty bar tab.”
“Consider me totally impressed.” I want to know now. I want to know what she found out. “Tell me.”
“Victoria Russo is being blackmailed by Mrs. Romano. Mrs. Romano caught her sleeping with George Romano Jr.”
It takes me a second to comprehend what I just heard. “She was caught sleeping with an eighteen year old kid?”
Several of the restaurant patrons turn and frown at me. I don't really care.
Sara looks smug as hell. “Yup. It's a total Mrs. Robinson affair. I think it's gross, but then I'm not a horny eighteen-year old boy willing to shack up with a woman my mother's age either.”
I can feel my mouth drop open. “Holy shit.”
“I know, right?” Sara grins. “Apparently, Mrs. Romano found pictures of them on their security system. If Dante doesn't marry her daughter, she gives those dirty pictures to Mr. Russo.”
“Holy shit,” I repeat.
“Oh, it gets even better.” She composes herself. “Ethan found this part out. Apparently, things haven't been so good at the Russo household. Divorce has been mentioned, and given the pre-nup, Victoria would get nothing if this comes out.”
I don't know what to say to that. My mouth just hangs open.
“Keep your mouth open like that and the waitress will just set your food right in it,” Sara teases me.
“That's why she's pushing so hard,” I murmur.
“Yeah. She's desperate. I would take anything she offers you with a grain of salt. She's looking out for herself and is willing to do just about anything to stay in her comfy life.” Sara leans back and puts her hands behind her head.
“You are amazing,” I tell her. “Absolutely amazing.”
“I know.” She grins. “When you're head of the family, you can hire me. Or something.”