“Should I call someone?” my sweet cherry asked, but her voice sounded distant.
When I answered, my own was hollow. “No. It’s too late.”
Rae’s exhale was a shudder.
I wrapped my arms tightly around her as the end approached.
The great and wealthy Don Grimaldi lay gasping a few feet away. He’d made his last threat, but because he lacked true power, it would never be carried out. This wasn’t the kind of ending he would have wanted. His own body had turned on him, the same way he had turned on everyone who had ever stood under his roof. There was no one to blame, no one to punish, no one left for him to overpower.
Luigi and his brothers burst into the vaulted hall a moment later.
Emanuele cursed, but Joey only laughed and bent to check the don’s pulse.
“I see you didn’t leave any of the fun for us,” Luigi drawled, swiping a hand through his hair.
Joey sat back on his haunches. “Hail Dominico.”
The supernatural bell clapped in the distance. The somber tone rattled from my mind down my spine.
I was the don.
“Should we just leave him, or…?” Emanuele scratched his chin.
Shaking my head, I pulled Rae gently from under the shelter of my arm. “You lot return to the ball. Act as if nothing is wrong.”
But the fiery beauty planted her feet. “I’m not leaving you.”
“Baby,” I said softly, brushing my palm over her cheek. “You need to go back to the party. Be seen. And then Luigi will take you home.”
“Nico—”
I leaned down and cut off her protest by placing a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll see you later tonight, Rae.”
Luigi was smart enough not to reach for her, but he herded her with his body, his brothers flanking his sides.
I watched them disappear into the gloom before I pulled out my phone and called for an ambulance. I told the operator that I’d taken my grandfather away from the party because he hadn’t been feeling well and now he was unresponsive.
I did it to save my friends.
If anyone accused me of killing him, it wouldn’t haunt their lives.
Chapter 46 – Rae
Our footsteps echoed across the smooth floor. Strings of Italian muttered softly behind me, as Luigi’s brothers had a private conversation. No doubt talking about what just happened.
“Will he be alright?” I asked the mobster to my left.
Luigi shot a look in my direction. His lips tipped up in a reassuring smile. “Of course! It’s Nico.”
“But that means….” The weight of what happened slammed into me, again.
Nico was next in line to be the boss. He was going to rule. But he would probably have a target on his back.
I swallowed thickly.
Iwould have a target on my back.
“By the way, congratulations,” Luigi laughed softly. “Looks like I need to prepare my best man’s speech.”
