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Cecilia suddenly stood up, impatience and unease evident on her confused features.
“What are you talking about? What happened?”
I took a deep breath as Cami handed Elle a tissue to wipe her eyes.
“Cecilia, Gio met with the Leones. They had gathered evidence over the last two years to find out who was trying to frame them for Vinny’s murder. They gave it all to Gio.”
Cecilia froze and regardless of the blush that had been applied to her cheeks just minutes ago, she looked deathly pale.
“What? It was the Leones. They killed my Vinny.”
I shook my head carefully, maintaining eye contact with her. She visibly gulped.
“No mamma. It wasn’t them. It was Salvatore. Sal and Toni worked with the Aianis to kill papi and frame the Leones for it,” Elle managed to whimper.
Cecilia stumbled back on her heels shaking her head until her legs hit the sofa and she fell down with a gasp.
“No,” she whispered, her eyes wide but looking right through us. “No. That’s not possible.”
I raced to her, falling to my knees in front of her as I took her hands in mine, forcing her to see me. “It is true. Sal killed Vinny. That is what the alliance was about. He had promised Gio would marry Camilla in return for their men attacking Vinny. Sal planned the whole thing.”
Tears sprang to her eyes as she continued to shake her head.
“No. NO! Why? Why would he do that? Why would he kill my Vinny? He loved him. He was his brother!” Cecilia jumped up from the sofa as she paced the room hysterically, her whole-body trembling.
None of us spoke as we let her come to the realisation herself. I couldn’t break her heart more than it already was. I couldn’t force the words out of my mouth. She suddenly screamed. A noise that was full of so much pain and heartbreak as she fell to her knees and Elle rushed to her side, cradling her in her arms as Cecilia broke down in tears and unbearable cries.
Tears left my own eyes as I watched the strongest woman I know, fall apart in front of me. This was so unfair. She didn’t deserve this. None of them deserved this. All because of one man’s selfishness. All because of one man’s obsession. Salvatore Buccini was just like Henry. Of that I was certain.
It felt like the longest time before Cecilia’s wails simmered down to sobs and Elle helped her up off the floor, back to the sofa. I poured her a glass of water and placed it on the table in front of her as her red-rimmed eyes stared at it without blinking.
“It was me, wasn’t it?” Her voice was barely audible. “He killed him because of me.”
No one confirmed it. We didn’t need to. We all knew what Sal’s reasons were. She released a shuddering breath as she glanced up at me for the first time since she heard the words that changed everything.
“What is Gio going to do?”
“He has informed the commission. They have agreed to let the Leones retaliate. They will stage an ambush on Gio and Sal and take them to the Leone estate. That is when Gio and the Leones will confront Sal and he will kill him,” I said as calmly and clearly as I could.
She nodded slowly. I wasn’t sure if she really understood or registered my words as that vacant expression returned to her face. My phone started vibrating on the table and I stood up and walked out of the room to take it when I saw it was Giovanni.
“Hey, you can tell mamma now. We are at Leones place. They have Sal in an interrogation room. Everything is going to plan,” his voice was a low whisper, and I bit my lip.
“We’ve already told her. I’m sorry but I couldn’t hold it in anymore seeing what this was doing to her.”
He sighed, “How did she take it?”
“Not great as expected. I think she has gone into shock now. I will give her some time and then ask if she wants to see Sal before…you know.”
“Ok. No rush. The Leones will be torturing Sal before they let me at him anyway,” he replied nonchalantly. My gut twisted at those words. Torturing. I knew Sal deserved everything he was about to get and more, but I still hated the images that came into my mind.
“Are you okay?” I asked softly. Gio was strong and he was angry, but this still couldn’t be easy for him. Sal was still his family.
“I’m good. I will be once he is out of our lives and go no longer manipulate or fuck with my family,” he growled. “I have the paternity test.” My eyes widened. I didn’t know it had come. “It arrived this morning. I haven’t opened it. I don’t know if I can.”
My heart broke for him and I wished I could hug him. “Remember whatever is in that envelope changes nothing. Vinny was your papi. No matter what.”
“I love you bambola. I have to go.”
