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I guffawed at that particular comment—she was a real gem. I ate my burger as I listened to them talk, and it was like I was having dinner with them again. They didn’t talk about anything important, but that was the point—it was just normal.
As the family finished up their meal, I checked my watch and sighed when I saw that it was time to get back. Tonight’s dinner with the Tocchinis hadn’t soothed me like it normally did.
I drove back to our estate, and as I parked up, Alessio strode over to me. “I was wondering where you’d gone,” he said, checking his watch.
“I’m here now, aren’t I?” I growled.
“Let me guess,” he drawled. “You’ve been having someTocchini Time, haven’t you?” referring to the name he had given my secret visits.
“So, what if I have?”
“Marco, you know it’s stalking, right?”
“No, it’s not,” I shot back. “Carolinne is practically family given that her and Danio are best friends and are just about joined at the hip.”
Alessio quirked an eyebrow at me.
“Anyhow, I never watch them or listen to them except during their dinners. It’s just like someone relaxing by switching on the TV to watch the next episode of their favorite show, or like watching online videos of cute kittens.”
Alessio sighed and shook his head at me. “You just keep telling yourself that.”
“Yeah, I will,” I snapped back at him.
Alessio looked long and hard at me.
“What now?” I said, getting more irritated by the second.
“Do you think that maybe you’re getting too wrapped up in the whole Juliana thing?”
“And what do you mean by that?”
“She’s obviously getting to you, or at least the situation is. And the Società is targeting our estate now—I don’t want the kids put in that sort of danger. It’s all too close to home for my liking and too close to our loved ones.”
“It goes with our world,” I said shortly. “Anyhow, you know I would never let anything happen to Debi or Danio.” My voice became quieter. “I’d lay down my life before I let anything happen to any one of you.”
Alessio, sensing the seriousness in my words, nodded back at me, satisfied.
“And after I send back Jacob Bonardi today with my little gift for the Società, they definitely won’t be trying it again.”
“Let’s hope not,” replied Alessio.
“Look, are we torturing anyone tonight or not?” I said, trying to change the subject.
“We’re ready whenever you are,” replied Alessio.
I walked toward the house.
My blood was still raging through my veins, and I knew what had to be done next.
CHAPTER 21
JULIANA
I had finished my dinner a short time ago, barely touching any of the food on my tray. Alessio had brought my food up to me again.
I hadn’t seen Marco all day and the isolation in this room was making the thoughts go around my mind in an endless spin. Even Mr. Fluffy couldn’t distract me today.
I heard the lock turn in the door and wondered if someone had come up to take my dog outside. I stood up as the door opened and saw the one person I didn’t want to see.
