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“Who?” He yawned.
“The mole Stefano planted at Noemi’s house.”
“She was living there?” His eyes bugged out then fell into a dark expression. “My guess, she was being held down in the tunnels, too. Stefano never let anyone go.”
“I’m so glad he’s gone. I’m just sad I didn’t get front row seats for the viewing.”
“Yes, hell just gained another bastard.”
He was right, but there were a few more I wanted to send down there, and I was determined now, more than ever, to start knocking them out.
“He’s here.” I stood and felt my muscles strain. I would be happy to go to bed right now with a long, cool, bubbly spritzer.
“Hey.” Ugo stepped in front of me blocking my view of the car. “Are you sure you trust him?”
“I really do.”
“Oh, my!” Mama clung to Papa with her fingers to her lips as we watched the news reporter share what was happening. The Coppola mansion was totally engulfed in flames. That alone should have been something to celebrate, but not when I couldn’t reach anyone to ask if Sienna was all right. My fear fueled the frustration I felt as I jabbed the off button on the cell. I fought the urge to throw it against the wall.
“Let me try again.” Francesco excused himself from the room as he tried to call Ugo. I repeatedly tried Berto’s phone, and Vinni was contacting as many people as he could.
The front door opened, and I rushed out of the room, hoping by some miracle it was her. I stopped short when I saw it was Abramo and a large group of soldiers filing into the house. Nonna walked her way among them as she barked orders.
“What are you doing?” I snapped, not wanting to deal with her right now.
“The Coppola mansion is in flames, Elio. This would be the perfect time for them to attack. They will be desperate and think we won’t be expecting it. We need to lock this property up tight. I’ve worked too hard to see any more cracks form in our—”
“We,” Papa corrected her. “We’ve worked hard to make sure this family doesn’t fall.”
“Yes, well, that’s what I meant.”
“Was it?” He stepped forward and towered over his mother.
“Piero,” she gave him the same look she used to use on me, “I’m merely trying to help here.”
“We didn’t ask for it.” He stood his ground. “We ran this syndicate just fine in Sicily, Mama, and we’re doing just fine running it here as well. You coming here, trying to toss your power around, isn’t going to work.”
“I see.” She reached down and straightened her blazer and eyed Abramo before looking at me. “And what about that woman? I trust she’s not here, hiding in some room?”
“No, actually,” Vinni’s voice cut in, and we all turned as he held up his phone with his eyes bulging, “she’s dead. A lot of them are. There was a big hit at their church before the fire. A bunch of the Coppola family were killed too, all the uncles, maybe even the Nonna.”
His words echoed in my head as everything in my body stilled. I could feel Nonna’s eyes burning into me. I knew she was gauging my reaction.
“How do you know, Vinni?” Papa gasped out the question that was stuck on my tongue.
“My guy just talked to the priest of the church.” He cleared his throat and refused to make eye contact with me as my world crashed down in silence around me. “He, ah, was there when it happened.”
“What?” Nonna butted in. “But I heard Sienna died in the fire.”
Church? The word made its way through my swimming head. What in the world was she doing at the church?
“No, she was at the church, and apparently when they were walking out, they were caught in the spray of bullets. I’m sure she didn’t suffer.” His voice squeaked at the last bit as he looked hard at me.
“Humm,” Nonna grunted. She sounded unimpressed. “Well, that takes care of that. Come on, then. We’ll have some big moves to plan.”
Mama took a step toward me, but I gave a slight head shake. I was still trying to process what was happening.
“Boss, we need to go.” Vinni’s voice held an urgent tone.
