Ten minutes pass and we don’t say anything. We just stare at Gigi who goes in and out of slumber.
“Cipi,” Mama’s voice breaks the silence. “Go home and grab some things that we’ll need for the overnight stay, please.”
“I can go,” Matteo offers.
“No. Cipi knows what we’ll need. Take Lucia with you.” Mama notes my hesitation. “Your sister is fine. She’s just sleeping for now. She’ll wake by the time you come back. And stop by and check on Nonna please. I texted and called her, but she hasn’t responded. That woman sleeps like a log.”
I know better than to argue with my mom.
Nodding, I leave the hospital with Lucia in tow. The hospital is only ten minutes from our compound.
During the drive, Lucia asks me if I’m okay. Before I can stop myself, I tell her everything that happened when I found Gigi: the butterfly wings, raven quotes, and phone call.
Pulling into the garage, I turn off the engine. My hands are still trembling.
“They want you to dismantle the family?” Lucia whispers.
“Yes.” I open the door and get out.
“And how are you supposed to give someone an empire if you don’t know who they are?” Lucia follows me as I unlock the door and step into the mudroom.
“I don’t know.” I disarm the security system.
We head upstairs. I pull a bag out of the closet and begin filling it with a few necessities for Mom, Gigi, and me.
As I pack I call Dominic again. This time it goes straight to voicemail.
“Dominic didn’t answer again?” Lucia’s back is to me as she looks out the window.
“No. I hope he’s okay.”
“I can go check on him later,” she offers.
Before I can respond my phone vibrates again.
Private Caller.
“Fuck! I think it’s that person again.” I gasp.
“Put it on speaker,” Lucia urges.
I slide to answer but I don’t speak.
The same muffled voice crackles through the speaker. “Cipriani. You’re very clever. I never expected you to find her and yet you did. Quite the chess player you are.”
My pulse spikes. “You drugged her and left her to die!”
He laughs. “You may have checkmated me this time, but you won’t a second time. It’s clear you’re going to need more incentive to dismantle the family.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? How do you want me to dismantle it?” I shout.
“You are going to give all your businesses and territory to a new family. The Marconis,” the muffled voice demands.
My stomach plummets. “The Marconis are dead. You want me to give my empire to a ghost. You can go fuck yourself.”
“Are you sure they’re dead? I guess by your response you’re going to need more incentive, stubborn woman. I didn’t want to do this, but you forced me to. You found your sister, but next time you won’t be so lucky.”
Anger boils in my blood. “I swear if you touch another person I care about I’ll…”
