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“Dad locked me in my room and told Roman to watch me.” Bianca shivers.
“Ugh, I hate Roman. He’s the worst.” Angelica leans forward, her gaze glued to her sister. “But are you okay?”
“Me? I’m the same. I’m more worried about you. Mom let it slip that you ran into trouble after the wedding, but she wouldn’t tell me anything else. What happened? Is it your husband?” Her voice lowers. “Is he cruel to you?”
“Oh my gosh, no!” Angelica laughs, the sound easing the tension that was radiating through me after the meeting with her father. “He’s actually … well, he’s really sweet. He’s kind of jealous. I mean, he doesn’t let any of his men so much as look at me. It’s funny, really. And you met Carina. She’s awesome.”
“I am.” Carina grins, then glances at me. The grin falls away as she realizes the trouble she’s in.
That’s when I notice Butcher. He’s been standing completely still against the back bookcase, his eyes on the screen, the most intense look I’ve ever seen on his face. What the fuck?
“I wish I could be there with you, to be honest. I hate it here, and Mom–” She gasps and leaves the screen, then comes back in a hurry. “Dad’s home, and he’s shouting downstairs. I have to go.”
“I’ll see you soon.” Angelica’s voice breaks, shattering off a piece of my heart. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Bye.” Bianca disappears, and Angelica sits back in her chair, then covers her face with her hands and lets out a wail.
I hurry to her and kneel in front of her, pulling her hands away. “My angel, don’t cry.”
Carina slips away and out of the library, just as quick as Diablo when he’s in trouble.
“She’s trapped there. She didn’t say it, but I can feel it. She’s scared. We have to get her out.” Tears run down her cheeks, and I wipe them away.
“We’ll get her, angel. Your father is backed into a corner. I didn’t realize it, but he’s far more desperate for money than I knew. I don't know what he’s got himself into, but he’s in deep.”
“Wh-what makes you say that? Because he let you marry me?” She sniffles.
That brings a wry smile to my face. “Yes. I didn’t deserve you and never will.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” I kiss her hands.
“Then what?”
I don’t want to tell her this, but it’s best if she hears it from me. “He intends to marry your sister to the Frangiones.”
Her breath hitches, and the color leaches from her face. “No,” she whispers.
I had hoped she didn’t know their reputation. But clearly, she does.
A noise behind me catches my attention, and I turn to find Butcher stalking from the room. He blows past Gilly and stomps out the house, the garage door slamming behind him.
Gilly gives me a questioning look. I shrug. I have no fucking clue what just happened, but I know it can’t be good.
18
ANGELICA
“Antonio, no.” I grip the front of his shirt. “Please.” Tears sting at my eyes thinking about my sister being at the hands of the Frangione family.
When I married into the Palermos, I knew of their reputation for being lethal, but there was often a reason for their actions. If someone turned up butchered, it was because they'd given the Palermos a reason. But that’s not the way it is with the Frangiones. They are terrible people who commit horrible crimes without regard for anyone.
They are insane. I’ve heard my father call them unpredictable on many occasions. He would always go on about how you never knew what they could or would do. I can’t believe he’s willing to hand Bianca over to them. It doesn’t make any sense. But it does go to show me that my father really doesn’t give a shit about anyone other than himself.
“Angel, it’s going to be okay.” He cups my cheek, trying to reassure me. I lean into his hand, knowing my husband is a man of his word.
“I love seeing that trust in your eyes.” He leans in and presses his mouth to mine in a soft kiss.
