Page 16 of A Vendetta That Ruins

I don’t miss the up and down shift of Massimo’s eyes. A silent approval to his underboss that they’re going to take a seat and let this play. Anna is still cautious though. She takes a long sip of her drink and then comes to sit by me on a small corner love seat opposite the couch the three of them took. “So, I should tell you first that the only reason I am alive is because Vincenzo and his brother saved me from a man who kidnapped me right from his casino.”

Massimo and Leandro’s eyes go dark. I know what they’re wondering about because if it was my little sister or sister-in-law, I’d be fucking livid too. “What were you doing there in the first place?” Massimo asks, although Sophia places a hand on his thigh to calm his ire.

It takes effort not to intercede, not to grab him by the neck for talking to Anna like that, but she needs to share her story the way she wants to tell it without interference from me. Nicolo takes a seat in the reading chair next to the fireplace as Anna stands and walks to the window.

My jaw tightens. I know we have protection from the air since after the air show with our marriage announcement and that’s not the way Bastian wants Anna. A quick kill is not what he’s looking for, instead a long and torturous life, but it still makes me jumpy as hell to have her standing by the window.

Anna turns. “Addie was coming to Atlantic City and I wanted to go along so I did.” Sophia starts to say something, but Anna puts up a hand. “I know you warned me to stay put, to stay out of sight because something like that could happen, but I needed to go out and live life, to feel something again. It’s hard to explain to someone who didn’t go through it.”

Anna comes to my side and sits next to me, taking my hand. “Vincenzo saved me physically, but he also saved me emotionally. I had literally died inside, withering away to half the person I used to be. He changed all that for me. And when I got kidnapped, while I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me, it brought Vincenzo and I even closer together.”

Massimo runs a hand through his hair. “Why no call, no word, flat out lies from Vincenzo if his intentions were so good?”

I clear my throat. She’s not responsible for my actions and he better watch who the fuck he talks to like that. “You talk to me about that. She had no part in it. Anna was heavily drugged and unconscious. They could have taken her anywhere before she would have woke up to realize she had been taken. You got me? I took her to keep her safe. That’s the only reason. Anna is mine and I protect what’s mine. I have no beef with the Rosellis unless you disrespect my wife and our home.”

Sophia stands. Massimo isn’t quick to let her hand go but reluctantly does. Anna stands and walks into her arms. “I’m really okay, Sophia. I never thought I could be happy again.”

Anna hugs her sister tight as Sophia wipes a tear from her eye. “You don’t have to worry about me now. Vincenzo is making sure that I’m safe from Bastian, okay?”

This is a good start, but I know there’s still a lot more to be sorted between the Rosellis and DeLucas.

15

Anna

I can tell when Sophia relaxes, her body visually softening from being so tense. They came in with a plan, even a backup plan if Vincenzo didn’t allow Delz in but the relief in her eyes tells me she’s put that to rest for her and Massimo and Leandro. At least they know I’m not being held against my will now, at least that’s how it appears.

Sophia swipes a tear. “I hate that I missed your wedding.”

“That was our one regret, having to do it so quick because the timing was everything. But Vincenzo did have it taped for me. I’ll send it to you soon or better yet maybe we can get together and watch it with a glass of wine some evening.”

I narrow my eyes at the men in the room. “As long as these three can manage to get along.”

Massimo stands and moves toward his wife, which causes Vincenzo to stand and then Nicolo and Leandro to do the same. “Seriously,” I huff. “We are all adults here and if I were in trouble, you know damn well I’d let you know in no uncertain terms. What we need to be doing is coming together to make sure that Bastian doesn’t get to any of us because it’s not just me that he has a vendetta against. It’s anyone and everyone who helped me and got his brother killed so he’s after us all.

“He is going to want to ruin anyone who he thinks helped in deceiving them about me being dead, anyone who helped hide me or anything. I think we need more guards around Addie, too.”

Massimo and Vincenzo say it at the very same time. “Already done.”

Sophia and I look at the other and laugh. “I guess the Cassone women certainly do have a type in men,” she drawls, giving her husband a sexy look that I’ve seen many times over the course of living with them for those six months after my rescue. I swear my sister has that man wrapped around her little finger, but I know it’s because she adores the ground he walks on.

Massimo shoots his wife a look, but she’s not fazed by that alpha at all. “When we get home, we’ll look for dates to get together again. Don’t make it too long, no? I miss you,” she says, squeezing me tight. “All I ever wanted was for you to be happy and to know that you’re safe.”

“I am all that and more.”

Sophia smiles and then looks up at Vincenzo. “You make sure you keep her that way or you won’t need to worry about dealing with Massimo, you will deal with me.”

Vincenzo’s laugh is hearty. “I look forward to getting to know you more, Mrs. Roselli. Your sister only has good things to say about you. She was looking forward to seeing you very much today. I’m glad we could make that happen.”

Massimo begrudgingly nods. “You know Leandro and I only want the best for you and needed to make sure you were safe.”

“I understand,” I tell him.

Massimo looks to Vincenzo. “Leandro and I meant no disrespect to Anna or you or your home. I’m grateful that you kept her safe but that doesn’t mean I like the way it went down.”

Vincenzo nods. “I can understand that. I did what I thought was best knowing Bastian would target you and your home right away in search for her. I wouldn’t change what I did, but I can understand and respect your feelings on the approach.”

Massimo nods. “We’ll continue to disagree on that particular point, but I think everyone here can agree that what’s important is Anna’s safety and not who provides it. Anna is a well-trained adult, well versed in our ways. She would have made it known if she were being coerced and that’s not the case. And she’s clearly happy and confident in your abilities.”