Page 290 of Marcello

“I want the truth,” he snarled, “not a calculated lie.”

“I’m basically Cesare’s right-hand man,” I admitted.

“Just as I thought,” Niccolo said as he walked over and stood next to Dario. “Yet you also texted us the message, ‘They’re coming – get out now.’ Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you let us know the Wagner Group was coming?” Niccolo asked.

I frowned. “Who?”

“The Wagner Group,” Niccolo said like I was stupid. “Russian mercenaries.”

“Yes, the Russians,” I agreed –

And a piece of the puzzle clicked into place.

Oh shit…

Lucrezia hired MERCENARIES?!

I quickly added, “I let you know as soon as I – ”

Adriano’s gun jabbed into the back of my head again. “What did I say earlier?”

I shut up.

Niccolo looked puzzled. “You didn’t know who it was that was coming?”

“No. I just knew it was a bunch of Russians.”

“Why did you text us?”

I frowned again. What the fuck is he playing at?

“Because I figured it was important enough information that Fausto might finally leave my family alone and let me go.” I looked around. “Where is he, anyway?”

Dario looked both angry and confused. “Where is who?”

Niccolo’s eyes suddenly widened like Oh shit.

“Fausto!” I snarled. “I texted him that information so he’d leave my mom and brother and sister alone! Where is he? I want to talk to him!”

Everyone looked at each other, the way people do when they know something you don’t, and they aren’t sure how to tell you.

“What?!” I demanded.

Behind me, Adriano said, “Shoulda listened to Sofia.”

I had no idea who Sofia was or what that meant.

All I knew was that Niccolo gave Adriano an annoyed glance before he told me, “Fausto’s dead.”

God dammit –

I was too fucking late!

“Did the Russians kill him?” I asked, sick to my stomach.