When the call ended, I cried my eyes out. Painful grief struck me as hard as it did when I’d lost my brother. I prayed and prayed, wishing on some miracle Don Bellomo could reach them in time and keep them safe. My life didn’t mean anything anymore. Death would be my salvation. But knowing that I’d doomed my parents, too, hurt like hell.
I dialed my father’s number. At least, I could warn him and say goodbye. “Papa.”
He opened the camera, a petrified scowl on his face. “Malyshka…you shouldn’t have called. You should have run.”
My heart dipped as the screen went black for a second. Then when the light came back on, it was Enzio’s face that was filling it. “Buongiorno, Doctor.”
“No,” I said in defeat. “No.”
“Listen to me carefully because I have no time to waste. Nicole Lanza isn’t like Nina. If anything happens to her, I will avenge her. I won’t settle just for your soul. Each and every member of your beloved family will be on a long red trip with Il Coyote himself and then will be chopped to pieces with my own knife.”
“Why are you punishing us for your doing? I’ve done everything you asked of me and doomed myself forever because of it.”
“You helped Leo kidnap Nicole and put us all in danger.”
What the fuck was he saying? What twisted kind of story he’d invented now? Nicole and Leo kidnapped me. She was helping him, and they were going to kill Don Bellomo and then Don Lanza.
Or were they not?
Of course. Leo’s mind was more complex to follow such a simple plan. I’d gained enough insight into his psychology to realize his actual course.
I could explain to Enzio Lanza what had actually happened to save myself and my family the coward way or I could keep my mouth shut and save the man I loved the way I should have before.
“Leo has Nicole held on an island. Her husband is going there now to look for her. If he doesn’t find her, I have to go to that island myself with Angelina Bellomo and her son. And you.”
“Why me?”
“You know why, Ravenna.”
Because I loved him. That didn’t mean he loved me, too. “Did he not ask for Angelina? That tells you I’m not enough leverage.”
“We found the house you were hiding in. The little blood on the bed, too. We know what he did to you there. You’re more than enough.”
I swallowed. “If I come with you, what guarantees you’re not going to hurt my family later?”
“Nothing, but I can guarantee that if you don’t come with me or try to escape before I arrive,” he put a gun to my father’s temple, “your father will be dead.”
“Don’t do it, Ravenna! Just run!” Papa yelled in Russian.
Lanza smacked him on the head unconscious.
“No! Papa!”
“Where the fuck are you?!” Lanza bellowed.
“Palermo. I’ll send you the location.”
The call ended, and I moaned hard. I couldn’t take this pain anymore. Sniffling, I called Don Bellomo. “Leo is on some island. Domenico is going there to look for Nicole.”
“I just got the call from one of my guards there. How did you know that information?”
I told him. I told him about the danger his wife and other son might be in, too.
He paused, but I could hear his fuming breaths. “Listen to me, Ravenna. My son isn’t stupid. Nicole will not be on the island. The Lanzas will come and take you. You’ll do as their capo ordered. Don’t let him get suspicious, and I’ll be following you. I’ll be on the island at the right time. You won’t be harmed. Can you do that for me?”
“I…I…”
“I’ll take care of your parents. You have my word.”
