Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
When I took vows to Salvatore, I didn’t do so blindly. I knew exactly what I was getting into, exactly what I committed to. I know I’m a hopeless romantic, and only wish this time my romanticism doesn’t lead me – or all of us – astray.
I’m frozen in place when Salvatore’s blue eyes pierce mine. I read pain in his eyes and want to touch him. My own heart squeezes in sympathy. Gently, I lay my finger on his shoulder.
“What is it?” I whisper, unwilling to share a private moment with my family all around us.
“I don’t want to do this publicly.”
For one moment, so brief I almost miss it, the ruthless Don is gone, and in his place I see a man, once a boy, broken by his family’s conditional love and selfish ways.
“Of course not,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion. “Let’s take this to the theater. Our guests are suitably entertained for the moment, I’m sure.” Staff has continued to ply our guests with food and drink. I give Salvatore a wink. “We’ll be fashionably late is all. I will get to that dessert table, Salvatore.”
His heated gaze makes my heart beat a little faster. “I’ll see to it.”
I watch him take out his cell phone and call Cristiano.
“Meet me in the theater and bring my mother. We have to deal with the Rossis, and I want both of you present.”
“On my way.”
Even from where I’m standing, I can hear the glee in Cristiano’s voice.
He thinks he’s won.
The dark recesses of the theater seem a suitable place for a confrontation. Salvatore flicks on the lights just as his mother and Cristiano enter.
“What’s happened, son?” Agnesia asks.
“Shut the door, please.” Cristiano shuts it with a bang.
The deep etches along Salvatore’s forehead look carved from stone as he scowls. “Rossi knew all along that his father killed mine.”
“So that’s why we’re here, then?” Romeo asks. “Seems to me there’s been more than one act of betrayal, Capo.”
Agnesia’s eyes actually light up. I want to slap her. Who could do such a thing to her own flesh and blood? My family may be crazy, but they are loyal to the core.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Salvatore growls. He cocks his gun. I’d think he was a good actor, but he isn’t acting. I know exactly why he’s so angry.
“You never planned on marrying into the Castellano family, did you?” I didn’t know Romeo was such a good actor. My heart hammers, waiting for the first gunshot, the first show of blood. Someone’s going down, and soon. “You set my sister up and made her out to be the one at fault.” Romeo faces Salvatore, his own gun drawn.
“Stop, both of you!” I say, turning to Agnesia. “Do something!”
She only shakes her head. “I can’t,” she says sorrowfully. “This is between the two of them.”
“Oh, is it?” I clench my fists by my sides as Cristiano’s recorded voice fills the small theater, amplified by state-of-the-art speakers.
“He believes Marialena interfered with his wedding with Erica Castellano…”
Cristiano reaches for his weapon before he realizes he has none. He freezes when he feels the cold metal of Mario’s gun at his temple.
Agnesia’s voice joins Cristiano’s. “Now we have the Rossis and Salvatore convinced each betrayed the other. If they kill each other, we win.”
Their conversation reverberates through the theater, surround sound making their voices sound ominous.
I note the very second Agnesia realizes the gig is up and we all know the truth. The aloof façade fades as her eyes widen with fear.
“He made me do it, Salvatore!” Agnesia says, pointing a shaking finger at Cristiano.
“Is that right?” I shiver at the coldness in Salvatore’s tone. “Do tell.”
“You bitch.” Cristiano’s eyes shoot daggers at her. “We had a deal. A promise!”
Salvatore raises his hand to strike Cristiano. Agnesia takes her chance and lunges at me. I’m taken so off guard I don’t expect it. Though she’s slight, she’s vicious. I fall to the floor with a cry and throw my hands up to deflect a blow. A shot rings out. She falls beside me heavily, shot straight through the heart. I blink, shocked to see Mario’s gun pointed at her. A slim knife falls from her fingers.
Cristiano takes the opportunity to try to run. Salvatore trips him. He falls beside Agnesia, grabs her knife, and swings himself toward me. I reach for my gun, but it’s too late. Salvatore’s already thrown himself on top of me. Cristiano stabs his chest.
“Salvatore! No!”
Romeo steps toward us, gun raised, and in seconds puts three bullets through Cristiano’s head. With cold calculation, he turns to Agnesia and finishes the job.
The weight of Salvatore’s body on mine terrifies me. My hands are stained with red.
“Somebody help!” I scream, but the theater is sound-proofed and nobody hears me. I push myself to my feet and run to the door. I yank it open and scream for the staff. “Come quickly! Salvatore’s been hurt!”