Chapter 421

• Ria
• The Capo had come around to her side of the vehicle and lifted her down easily although she made a show of trying to get down on her own. But then she gave up; landing face first on the snow was not an enticing prospect.
• His touch was impersonal; he could have been hoisting a sack of potatoes to the ground for all the emotion he showed, she thought crossly as he slammed the door behind her and checked to see if the door had slammed shut. Satisfied that the Hummer was locked, he turned to her, eyes hidden behind his hand crafted Matsuda winter sunglasses. She knew that they were made and assembled in Japan, hand crafted, a skill passed down from generations. She knew all this because she had once gone shopping for winter sunglasses with her twin and they had picked up a pair for Pappa. Of course, his had been super cool, super expensive but the twins had cheerfully bought it for the man who ran the Mob with an iron hand. Those glasses had been a serious power statement, while Piers had chosen a limited, numbered run of 1899 pairs to commemorate the year that FC Barcelona was founded. As it stated on the very subtle note posted in the showroom, Etnia's 1899 sunglasses were undoubtedly a serious power move. The Barcelona crest was subtly inlaid in tonal black while 24-carat gold embossing ads impact to the chunky frames. Ria had teased her brother endlessly over his choice but Piers was a staunch Barca fan and remained unmoved in the face of all her prodding, although her other siblings had joined in to rib him. Even Paddy had smiled shyly.