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I shivered as his gaze ran over me.
As soon as I’d stepped out from the darkness, he’d drawn his weapon.
“Juliana!” he exclaimed. “What are you doing here? Your father told us he was holding you at his mansion.”
“I managed to get away. Gabriel…he was talking about killing me.”
A look of anger passed over his face, “I know. I’ve been trying to persuade my father to intervene—to make sure that you are protected. But my father has said he won’t interfere in a Bonardi family matter.” I knew that the cruel Capo probably agreed with my father that I needed to be punished. “Why have you come? You must have known how dangerous it would be for you?”
“I had to come to see how Jessica is. I’m worried about her.”
“You don’t need to be. She’s fine.” Gabriel had scanned our surroundings and had lowered his revolver to his side when he saw that I was alone.
“Does she really have to marry your brother, Rafael?”
“It’s already arranged, and the date has been set. The wedding is due to be held soon.”
“But couldn’t you intervene and stop it somehow?” I pleaded.
His voice became softer. “You know that’s impossible once the contract has been signed, Juliana.”
“But why? It’s just a contract within our own organization. You have a lot of influence now—people will listen to you.”
“Not about that. If one family is allowed to break a contract, especially the family of the Capo or an Underboss, then our rules start to be eroded. You know I can’t allow that.”
“Gabriel—if you have ever cared for me, please will you try to stop the marriage?” I was begging him. “Jessica’s not as tough as me. I don’t think she’ll cope in a family like yours. Please?”
He paused, searching my eyes with his. “First tell me, Juliana, how are you?”
“I’m…okay.”
“You can talk to me, you know.” He had a look of concern on his face as he took a step nearer to me.
“There’s nothing anyone can do now,” I whispered.
“I meant it when I said I’d be here for you. How are you—really?” He reached out to place his hand on my arm.
I didn’t get to reply.
A movement caught Gabriel’s eye and he spun around aiming his gun.
But he was too late.
Out from the shadows stepped another figure.
Marco Marchiano.
MARCO
We had a mole within the Società who’d notified us forty minutes earlier that Juliana had been spotted lurking in the car park of a Società nightclub.
Our mole had been leaving the club when he’d spotted her, but he hadn’t been able to seize her because he’d been with another soldier. Thankfully, that other soldier hadn’t been as eagle-eyed as our mole.
I had rushed from our L.A. safehouse to the nightclub. I didn’t know what she was doing there, but I would soon find out.
I parked my car near the club and walked around the back to the car park. My heart thudded when I caught sight of Juliana.
But she wasn’t alone—she was with Gabriel Santino. My blood roared in my veins.
