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Amo pulled Greta out of the water and began CPR, soon after she opened her eyes. Nevio watched everything with a heaving chest and stormy expression from the side, dripping wet.
Even from a distance I could see his struggle, his fear for his twin’s life, his hatred for Amo. Mom brushed a few strands from my face. I could feel her shaking, which was surprising because my own body was wrecked by tremors.
I wasn’t sure how much time passed, but soon Dad led Mom and me away toward a van. We all got in. Greta was wrapped in a fluffy white towel and huddled against her mother Serafina. The drive was rough. Even though, the Famiglia had allowed us to leave, I still feared another attack.
I’d always felt like I had all the time in the world. Everyone had always said to me that I was still young and had my entire life ahead of me, but today had shown me how quickly things could change, how unexpectedly a life could end. There was still so much I wanted to do in my life, so much I hadn’t experienced yet, I was terrified I might never get the chance.
When we got out of the car, we were at an airport and a private jet was waiting for us. I held my breath until we were in the air.
It was silent in the airplane except for the low murmurs of the male members of our family. Their faces were a mix of anger and determination, and I knew they were already discussing revenge plans. More blood would be spilled. Life as I knew it was over. All because of two people who loved each other in secret. I’d thought it was romantic, now I realized it was tragic.
I reached for my necklace with the gold charm of a skateboard. Carlotta had discovered it in the shop window of a jeweler for pre-owned pieces a few years ago. I’d bought it and since then it had felt like a token, something I always carried with me no matter where I went. But my hand came up empty. I glanced down. My neckline was bare and I was in my comfy pjs. At night was the only time I ever took off the necklace and put it on my nightstand. I must have left it there in the hotel room when we’d fled from the ambush. I swallowed.
There was no way I could ever get it back. My suitcase with my clothes was lost too but because I had to dress to impress at the wedding, I didn’t pack anything that was dear to my heart except for the necklace.
My heart felt heavy. Over the years, I’d always touched it when I needed encouragement or a bit of luck.
I pulled my legs up against my chest and rested my chin on my knees. My eyes burned and the back of my throat clogged up. I wasn’t sure if this was only about the necklace. I fought the raw emotions that tried to claw their way out of me.
Greta had almost drowned, had lost the man she loved, yet she wasn’t crying. She looked composed in her typical, far-away Greta way. And Kiara who had her head bandaged because of a headwound wasn’t wallowing in self-pity either. She was chatting quietly with Alessio and Massimo, making sure they were okay in her typical motherly way. I doubted they would suffer nightmares from this. Knowing them they would soon start making plans for payback.
I didn’t want to be the one to make a scene.
I turned my face toward the window, hoping to hide my tears if I failed to suppress them. In my peripheral vision, I registered movement, but I didn’t turn, expecting Mom. I was afraid she’d hug and console me because then the tears would definitely flow freely.
“Worst wedding of all time, don’t you think?” Nevio asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I sniffed and cleared my throat. “Definitely.” The wedding had felt off from the start, not because I’d picked up on any danger, but because it had been obvious that Amo wasn’t marrying the person he wanted. Luckily for once I could stop myself from saying something embarrassing and didn’t bring up my observations about love to Nevio. “But it’ll make history.”
Nevio’s mouth twisted with anger. “Oh it will. But if I’d planned an ambush like that, I would have done it properly. Not in the aftermath of a wedding but at the party. Bloody weddings are far better than the standard.”
I looked at him. “Some think weddings and funerals should be sacred.”
“Nothing’s sacred anymore, Rory.” He looked toward Greta, something dark passing his face before he looked back at me. I’d never talked about it with Nevio, but it had been obvious from the start that he didn’t want Greta to have feelings for Amo.
I nodded slowly. “I thought you were supposed to stay in Las Vegas.” His father had forbidden Nevio from joining the festivities to avoid a scene. And Nevio did indeed cause a scene but one that saved us.
A smirk pulled at his lips. His eyes reflected a darker emotion that didn’t match the casual twist of his mouth. “I suppose it’s good that I’m bad at following rules.”
“You think your dad’s going to punish you?”
“He better not. We saved the day.”
They really did. I wondered how Gianna and Isabella were feeling. After Greta had jumped into the water, chaos had erupted and I’d lost sight of my aunt and cousin.
“But why were you in New York? You couldn’t possibly have known that there would be an ambush. Did you want to crash the wedding?”
“Never. Amo deserves to be married to that witch. But I was hoping for a bit of entertainment afterward. New York is full of opportunities.”
I gave him a doubtful look. “That would have caused trouble.”
“Trouble found us without my help.”
“You saved us tonight but I have to admit I was really scared for Gianna and Isabella. I was worried you’d hurt them.”
“Right. You are related to them.”
I nodded. “I guess I won’t see them anymore.”
