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But I can’t always remain a coward.
I march back inside and push Franco away from my mom. He whirls on me, raising his hand to strike me. As I flinch, Mom grabs his hand and flings it back at him. Franco stares at us with wide eyes.
“You don’t get to hit my mom again,” I tell him. “Come on,” I tell her, taking her arm and guiding her outside. Franco follows, of course. He can’t stand to lose.
“Do not get in that car!” he shouts.
Mom glances back at him, but I pull her forward. She clings to me. It’s the first time she’s ever sought comfort from me. As we near the car, Emilia joins us, halting Franco as he comes toward us.
“Back off,” she growls.
Franco stops. “Just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean I won’t hurt you if you get in my way.”
“You can’t hurt me,” she says. “Marco would rain hell on you if you did.” For a second, a flash of fear passes across his eyes. “Yeah. You know my husband wouldn’t stop until he killed you. So don’t even think about it.”
Franco looks at the three of us. “You’re just women. You can’t stop me from stopping you.”
“Maybe not, but I can,” a man’s voice rings out. Looking over my shoulder, I see Viktor and Gemma walking toward the house. Like the rest of us, they’re bundled in heavy winter jackets and hats.
Gemma comes to my side, giving Emilia and I a nod. Viktor walks straight up to Franco, no fear in his expression. Viktor has always been a wild card. He’s not afraid of anything—in fact, he thrives on the thrill of danger.
“I told Antonio I’d stand by his side,” Viktor says to Franco. “So, if you’re intent on killing him, I won’t allow it.”
“We had a deal,” Franco seethes. “You, me, and Marco. You don’t get to go behind my back on that.”
Viktor makes a big show of looking around. “Whoops. Looks like I already did. Now, we’re going to walk inside so these women can find Antonio. And I’m going to keep an eye on you until Antonio is found. Now, come on.” He smacks Franco on the back, making him jump. Viktor sniggers as he shoves Franco toward the house.
Gemma turns to me. “I’ll stay with Viktor, if you don’t mind. Franco looks like he might shit himself, and I don’t want to miss that for the world.”
“We got this,” Emilia says. “We’ll find Antonio.”
“I’ll have Viktor tell his men to be on the lookout for him as well,” Gemma says. “Our brother will be ok. He needs to take over, so we can get rid of Franco once and for fucking all.”
“Gemma,” Mom scolds.
Gemma rolls her eyes. “Same old, same old.” She winks at me before heading inside with Viktor and Franco.
I get behind the wheel of the car, while Mom sits in the passenger seat and Emilia sits in the back. I know she probably wants to drive, but she’s too pregnant right now. “Franco said Antonio was down by the docks, but that he escaped, so he could be anywhere. But that’s where we should start looking.”
“I agree.”
I head off toward the docks. The car is silent until Mom decides to speak. “Francesca?”
I shoot her a glance, surprised she’s actually addressing me. “Yeah?”
“Thank you for what you did back there. I know standing up to Franco isn’t easy.”
I have to blink back tears. My mom never compliments me or thanks me for anything. “You’re welcome,” I say.
She shakes her head, staring out the window, not looking at me. “I haven’t even asked you how you’ve been. You got married, and I don’t even know how that’s going for you.”
My eyes meet Emilia’s in the rearview mirror. She gives me an encouraging smile. Now’s as good a time as any, meaning there’ll never be a perfect time to speak to my mom. But I have to try.
“Leo … hurt me,” I admit.
Mom looks at me with a frown. “Hurt you how?”
“Not abuse.” We share a look, and by her expression, I can tell she understands I know the truth. “Emilia told me,” I explain. She nods, ducking her chin.
