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“You want me looking respectable for those assholes?” he asked, but he took it.
“I know about Effie,” I said, sitting down.
He met my eyes but remained silent.
“You haven’t told anyone all these years?”
“What, that I knocked up a DeMarco? All while father hands you one on a silver fucking platter.” He shook his head in disgust. “You’re the golden boy, aren’t you? First it was Sergio, then you. Fuck Dominic.”
I wanted to punch him but had to remind myself why he was being defensive. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it easier for you to talk to me.”
“Don’t get sentimental on me now.” He said, then returned his attention to buttoning his shirt before continuing. “Does father know?”
“No. Only Roman and I. That’s how it’ll stay unless you decide to tell him.”
He nodded, and I knew it was as close to an actual thank-you that I would get.
“Tell me about Luke DeMarco’s shooting.”
Nothing.
“Isabella and you were working together with Pagani, Jr.”
He snorted. “He is a colossal fuckup. Fucking dimwit.”
“That we can agree on. They’ll be here soon, Dominic. We’re all going to be in a room together. I would rather know the truth now, from you.”
A knock came on the door.
“Sir.”
It was Marco. “Come in.”
He opened the door and glanced at Dominic but spoke to me. “Isabella DeMarco is here.”
I checked my watch. “She’s early.” It was barely six a.m. “Does Lucia know?”
Marco gave me a short nod.
“Of course she does. Where are they?”
“Your study.”
“All right. I’ll be right there. Make sure they stay in there until I get there.”
“I will.”
He closed the door. I turned back to Dominic, who’d finished dressing and was now combing his hair, studying me.
“Last chance to tell me everything.”
“Go get everyone under control, brother. I’ll see you when it’s time for the meeting.”
“Suit yourself.” I walked out of the room and directly to my study.
Lucia and Isabella sat on the couch talking in whispers when I walked in. Lucia at least had the grace to give me a meek smile.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I said to her.
“She’s my sister, Salvatore.”
“Why do I feel like I’m hitting a wall at every turn?” I asked.
“For once, I’m taking his side, Lucia. This is my business, and I don’t want you involved,” Isabella said, standing.
“I’m not letting you face those men alone.”
“She’s not alone. I will be there with her,” I said.
“Luce, I did this. I brought this on us. I had Dominic kidnap Jacob. I ultimately was responsible for Luke being shot.” She turned to me. “I’m so sorry about Jacob. I just, I wanted to scare Franco. I didn’t even think about Natalie. It was all about sending a message to Franco. Everything. And every time I look at Effie’s face and hold her in my arms, I keep thinking about Natalie. How she must have felt. How scared Jacob must have felt. I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
Lucia squeezed her hand.
I nodded. “Is it over?”
“Yes. For me. But I’m not sure how much control I have or ever had. The burglaries—we’d talked about it but hadn’t decided on anything. And Luke… I hope Dominic didn’t order that.”
“I don’t know myself, but we’ll soon find out.”
Before I could say more, loud voices—two men yelling—interrupted us. Dominic and my father.
“Stay here,” I said, rushing to the door and out. They were in the dining room, Roman, my father, and Dominic.
“You betray your own family!” Franco yelled, his face hot with fury.
“What was in it for me? What was ever in it for me? Why in hell did you even have me?” Dominic countered, all drunkenness having left his system, the heat of his anger perhaps having burnt it out. “After Sergio died, it all went to Salvatore. What about me?”
“You’re the youngest. I can’t fucking help that.”
“The backup to the backup.”
“You’re stupid if that’s what you think!”
“So worried about your grandson. Everything is about Sergio. His boy. Taking care of Jacob.”
“Like I would take care of yours!”
“Really?”
“Everyone calm the fuck down.” I walked into the room, but neither my father nor Dominic noticed my arrival.
Isabella walked in behind me, her gaze locked on Dominic. When my father stalked up to her, she stood taller, and I stood beside her.
“You stupid little bitch,” he started.
“Stop! All of you! What is this, fucking preschool? We’re all going to sit down, and we’re all going to talk.”
“Salvatore.”
Roman said my name and walked into the room. I just then realized he’d been absent.
“I just got off the phone with Paul Pagani, Sr. Neither he nor his son will be here after all. He’s already addressed his son’s responsibility and taken care of it. Jr. won’t be a problem, he assures us. The moneys that were taken have been returned, and he’s given his word his allegiance is to the head of the Benedetti family.”
