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I hear music coming from out back, where the party is already in full swing. I’m a little surprised when Mr. Parisi leads me to his study.
The moment I step inside and see the other four heads of the Cosa Nostra sitting on the couches, my stomach tightens with nerves.
Mr. Parisi shuts the door, then says, “You remember Mr. Caruso, Mr. Amoto, Mr. Messina, and Mr. Greco, right?”
Swallowing hard, I nod. “It’s nice to see you all again.”
Mr. Parisi leans back against the heavy wooden desk and gestures at a chair that’s been placed in the middle of the room.
Cautiously, I move closer and sit down, clutching my handbag on my lap.
Something is very wrong.
Mr. Parisi stares at me for a moment, then asks, “Why did you come back to New York?”
My tongue darts out to wet my lips. “I grew up here.”
“Still.” He pushes away from the desk and shoves his hands into his pockets. Tilting his head, he continues, “Your family was banned from New York.”
What?
“This is Cosa Nostra territory, and no Manno is welcome. Your grandfather knew this when we cut ties with him.” His eyes narrow on me. “I thought we made it clear when we assassinated your father.”
Waves of chock rush over my skin, and my lips part on a gasp.
The Cosa Nostra was responsible for the accident my father died in?
The corner of Mr. Parisi’s mouth lifts. “But you didn’t know this, right?”
“N-no,” I whisper, too shocked to talk louder.
“Then I’m going to assume you also don’t know about the money your grandfather stole from us.”
Money?
What money?
“No,” I whisper again.
This is the total opposite of the welcome I expected, and it’s jarring as hell.
“Educate her,” Mr. Greco grumbles, his eyes roving over me like a hungry wolf.
Panic flares in my chest, making my heart beat hard against my ribs.
Mr. Parisi makes a tsking sound. “Your family stole ten million from us. You were lucky to leave with your life the first time, but if you don’t pay us the money your family stole, you won’t be so lucky a second time.”
Oh, God.
The first thought to enter my mind is that I’m in a world of trouble. The second is Viktor.
But I can’t call him for help. Not after I declined everything he wanted to do for me.
And it will lead to bloodshed.
That’s if Viktor even comes to help me.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
