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‘I don’t understand.’ Gianni spoke one thing, but as he took a step backwards his body language showed that he did.
‘You didn’t want me or her. But why you chose to end her life, I’ll never understand.’ Salvatore spoke calmly. ‘I heard you that night… like I’ve heard you today, “pensa ai tuoi peccati.” You repeated the words over and over as you dragged her away to her death.’
‘It wasn’t me, Salvatore… Don De Luca.’ Gianni added Salvatore’s new title as he tried in vain to show some respect.
‘Yes, it was,’ Salvatore nodded. ‘And I want to know why?’
‘She was a whore.’ Gianni suddenly spat to the floor. In disgust at his papa, Romeo moved away from his side. ‘She should never have slept with him.’ Gianni jabbed a fat finger in my papa’s direction. ‘Women are inconsequential, a disposable commodity.’
Suddenly, Gianni was reaching for his gun, and as the barrel loomed larger, I understood he’d taken aim at me. Everyone around me moved in slow motion, apart from my husband. I had no time to think, no time to breathe, all I could do was to look on and wait.
As one shot rang out, Gianni’s gun went spinning away from his hand.
Alessio rushed to my side. In defiance at what had just happened and with his support I stood myself up, tall and true. It was then I heard Salvatore speak. In that deep, clear voice I’d always found comfort in.
‘An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. It seems it’s time foryouto think on your sins, Gianni De Luca and just what you did to my mama all those years ago, and the countless women and children who have followed her… I’m sorry for your loss, Romeo.’
Another shot sounded and Gianni De Luca collapsed to the floor. One bullet hole between his eyes smoked and his lifeless eyes could now only see the devil he’d been sent to find.
I looked at my papa to the side of me and watched as understanding swept over his handsome features. He looked at peace. He had been absolved. Lia Ranieri’s kidnapper and probable killer had shown himself. By mistake, he had shown his true colours in front of us all and Salvatore had taken his mama’s killer’s life, like he always said he would.
As all the pieces fell into place, I followed Salvatore’s orders to the letter. I took the one step I needed away from my brother and leant my head in between my husband’s shoulder blades. Then I placed my arms around his waist and held him to me to offer him my strength and to reaffirm our connection.
My life had hung in the balance, and he’d saved me, just as I always knew he would.
‘R. I. P. Mama.’ The words left Salvatore, and so did the oath he’d made so many years before.
‘Burn it down, all of it, with them in here.’
‘Boss.’ Bruno and Aldo spoke in unison.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
SERAFINA
Salvatore turned instantly,sweeping me up and into his arms and taking the long strides needed, we left the olive factory and stepped out into the summer sunshine.
With him at the wheel, we started to travel back to our beach and to the future we’d been bound by blood to accept. The only one I wanted.
I pulled down the sun visor to watch behind me, and audibly sighed as the beautiful blue sky was suddenly filled with black, acrid smoke.
It was over. They would soon be no more.
Salvatore reached across and took my hand in his.
We had been driving in a companionable, relieved silence for about ten minutes, before Salvatore’s mobile ringing loudly shattered our peace.
‘Yes,’ he answered handsfree.
‘Salvatore… Janine has called looking for us all. Nonno has very little time left.’ Gabriel’s voice was filled was sadness. ‘I can’t leave Mia… and he needs his family.’
‘I understand,’ Salvatore quietly replied. ‘Your papa, Gabriel…’ I turned my head to focus on the palpable pain that was leaving Salvatore and saw when his Adam’s apple moved as he effectively swallowed down his words.
‘I know, Romeo has called already.’
‘I’m sorry, brother.’
‘Me too,’ he replied. ‘But you did what was necessary. Our life has no room for a man like him.’
