Page 150 of The Don’s Omega

“It’s because of your father that my son died,” Salvatore hisses, his eyes glittering with resentment.

“My father isn’t responsible for Cristiano’s death.”

“Liar. Domenico used money to seduce my boy into taking the heat for Adriano, and it got him killed.”

Shaking his head, Carlo mutters, “You clueless old fool.”

“Fuck you,” Salvatore spits out at Carlo. “You serve a devil and are too stupid to even know that.”

I cross my arms. “You think I’m a devil? You think my father was a devil?”

“Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you haven’t sent hundreds of men to their deaths. Tell me you didn’t send my son to his death. All so Adriano could stay out of prison.” He spits at my feet. “I’ll never forgive your family for taking my son from me.”

Carlo advances on him, face red. “They didn’t take Cristiano from you, you asshole.”

“Wrong,” Salvatore growls. “Domenico decided my boy wasn’t as important as his, and so he lured him to his death with promises of money.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carlo says angrily.

I stand and put my hand on Carlo’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Carlo. Calm down.”

Carlo glares at Salvatore. “He needs to hear the truth, Marcello. He’s living in a dream world.”

Salvatore shakes his head. “You think I’m living in a dream world? That would be you, not me.”

I meet Salvatore’s surly gaze. “It’s clear you wanted to hurt Elio and the child.” I move closer to him. “Why were they both unharmed?”

Salvatore huffs. “Something like that takes planning. Elio just showed up at my house before things were in place. You think I’m so foolish I murder people at my home? I’m not an idiot. Jesus, give me some credit. I knew perfectly well you’d trace the Uber to my house eventually.”

Carlo scowls. “Then why’d you keep Elio at your house?”

Salvatore grumbles, “I thought Marcello was out of town. I thought I had more time.”

“But you did plan on killing Elio,” I say roughly.

Shrugging, Salvatore says, “Of course. I wanted to hurt you and nothing would hurt you more. But I wasn’t ready to make a move yet. Damn kid forced my hand,” he mutters, annoyance shimmering in his eyes.

“I’ll bet you’re sorry you missed your chance,” Carlo mumbles, giving Salvatore a disgusted glance.

Salvatore lets out a weary sigh. “I’m sure you won’t believe me, but I’d have taken no pleasure in killing Elio. But it had to happen if I wanted justice for my boy.”

“No one forced Cristiano to do what he did,” I say.

He lifts his eyes to mine. “No? You don’t think when your father, the head of the Foschini syndicate, asked my son to do him that favor, perhaps he felt pressured in any way?”

“Salvatore,” I press. “My father didn’t make Cristiano do it.”

He looks at me like I’m crazy. “How could he say no to Don Foschini?”

“You’re not listening,” Carlo grates out. “Your son wasn’t forced into anything.”

Salvatore looks disgusted. “Why should it surprise me you have no empathy for the position my son was in? Do you know when your father found out Cristiano had died, he came to see me, Marcello?”

“I’m sure he did,” I say. “You were his friend and you’d just lost your son. He wanted to comfort you.”

“Comfort me?” Salvatore’s laugh is mocking. “No. He came to me to put on a show for the other syndicates. He had his men carry in this enormous arrangement of white orchids, lilies, and chrysanthemums. Those flowers took up the whole foyer in my home. The sweet scent was overpowering. To this day I can’t smell any of those flowers without wanting to puke. They just remind me of Cristiano’s death now.”

I don’t speak because I have no idea what to say.