AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finally, she blinks and her attention turns to me. There’s no missing the haunted look in her eyes. “I’m fine.”
“‘Fine’,” I force my lips into my characteristic smirk. “The universal way of saying you’renotfine.”
She shrugs and goes back to looking at the garden. “What do you expect me to say?”
“The truth.”
She swallows past the lump in her throat. “I’m better than the other women Luis had in that abandoned hotel. How are they by the way?”
“Getting the help they need,” I tell her.
“Good.”
“Yes, it is.” According to Gasso, many of the women will be reunited with their families, but those willing to testify against Luis and the other top players in the trafficking ring will be put in witness protection until the case goes to trial. I don’t know the names of the Russians involved, but whoever they are, they’re dangerous. Fortunately, Gasso has a plan to mitigate their retribution, and his name is Maximo Furnari.
Catarina’s cousin is next in line to lead the Italian family in Chicago—the same family who agreed to take “credit” for overthrowing Luis Diaz in Harlem after Gasso presented them with the idea yesterday afternoon.
While the New York Furnaris tend to keep their hands clean, the Chicago Italians aren’t so inclined. Life in the Windy City is tough, and Maximo has a reputation. It’s that reputation, as well as his family’s extensive reach and influence, that will make the Russians think twice before seeking retribution. That, and the lucrative drug deal the Chicago Furnaris will offer to cut them in on, allowing their influence in Chicago to rise past their Polish rivals.
Obviously, Gasso isn’t privy to the last bit of information. And while the commissioner swears he will keep my family’s involvement a secret, we’re still preparing for potential retribution. It’d be foolish not to.
“What about Nero and Liam?”
“They’re alive. Jane is checking on them as we speak.”
Her shoulders slump in relief. “Good… that’s good.”
Our conversation dwindles. I wait for her to say something else to guide our discussion, but she seems content to sit in silence.
I’m debating the merits of postponing this conversation for another day when she blurts, “How long did you know about Antony?”
Well, I guess that answers the question of if she knows about her brother’s dealings with Diaz.
I sigh. “Not long after his death.”
“Were you going to tell me?”
I consider lying, but Catarina deserves the truth. It’s the least I can give her after everything she’s been through. “No. I didn’t see the point.”
Her head whips around, and her eyes narrow. “You didn’t think I deserved to know the type of man my brother really was?”
“I didn’t think changing your view of your deceased brother would serve any purpose.”
“My brother was amonster,” she hisses. At the same time, moisture gathers in her eyes. She’s conflicted about how to feel. Just like I knew she would be. “You promised you wouldn’t coddle me like my father.”
Her words feel like a punch to the gut. “You’re right. I should have told you.”
A single tear escapes. She quickly wipes it away and clears her throat. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? I’d like there to be no more secrets between us. Especially if we’re supposed to get married.” She shakes her head and looks back out at the garden. “I don’t want a husband who keeps things from me.”
The muscles around my chest constrict. “I thought you heard the news.”
“I’ve heard a lot of news today,” she replies quietly. “Which are you talking about?”
I force my voice to remain neutral when I say, “Your father promised an alliance between our families.”
