Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 109674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Eduardo’s sympathetic expression only increased my rage. He nodded as if in farewell. “I hope it ends quickly. Good luck, Nestore. The name Romano will die with you.”
I stumbled to my feet, then toward the bars, clasping them in a tight grip. “What about Niccolo?”
Eduardo glanced over his shoulder at me. “Worry about yourself, not your cousin.” He left, leaving the question hanging between us.
I hung my head, my forehead pressed up against the cool bars.
What a birthday.
A choked laugh erupted from my mouth. I closed my eyes, trying not to lose it completely. I had to figure out a way out of here. I knew every corner of this house. I had to outsmart my guards and Lamorgese.
Or I’d die in agony.
The door to the cellblock creaked open. My muscles tautened in anticipation as I lifted my head from my knees and leaned against the wall, feeling safer with something solid to support my back. My eyes burned from exhaustion. A glance at my watch revealed that it was nine in the morning. Nobody had come for me since Eduardo had dropped me off here eight hours ago. Would the torture begin now? I would have expected Lamorgese to spend longer in the hospital, considering where my knife had hit him, but maybe he wouldn’t torture me himself.
It wasn’t Achille Lamorgese who entered the cellblock, though. Only his own flesh and blood, also a Lamorgese in name, leaving me wary of her loyalties. She seemed like a kind girl, but after the betrayal I’d encountered yesterday, I wasn’t willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, especially not with a father like hers.
She closed the door near soundlessly before she walked over to the gate of my cell. She wore plush red slippers and a long terry bathrobe of the same color that reached her ankles. Despite this, she shivered in the cool basement air, and goose bumps erupted on her skin. Her pale face seemed to glow in the dim light. Shadows spread under her eyes, and the haunted look in them made my pulse pick up. I tried to ignore how dire my situation was, but seeing the blatant concern on her face drove it home.
“Why are you here?” I rasped, my throat scratchy from thirst.
“I’m sorry for what happened. For your loss. For everything.”
I only stared. I hadn’t allowed myself to mourn my father and uncle yet. When I didn’t react, she blinked, then lowered her gaze with a sigh. “I wanted to tell you that I didn’t know this was going to happen.”
I believed her even though I didn’t have a single reason to. Something about her just felt too pure to be deceiving.
Six hours before
I lingered in the grand entry hall, wishing we could finally leave this place. The stench of blood and feces from the spilled bowels was overpowering even here. I wasn’t sure how the men cleaning up the ballroom handled it.
I closed my eyes, shuddering. This evening felt like a nightmare come true. I couldn’t shake the betrayed look in Nestore’s eyes when one of his old bodyguards had dragged him out of the ballroom and down into the basement. I’d overheard a few men discussing the cells situated there. The idea that Nestore was locked up down there made my stomach turn. Maybe I could talk to Father. Nestore wasn’t even a grown man yet.
Flavia came floating up the winding staircase, looking ashen. “Is he still in there?”
I nodded. Father hadn’t left the ballroom since I’d run out of it two hours ago. Flavia had been lucky enough to be outside when all hell broke loose. “Did you know?” I whispered.
She let out a huff. “I’m a woman.”
Steps sounded, and Father emerged from the double doors, holding his side and limping badly.
Both Flavia and I moved to follow him toward the winding staircase where he was heading, but he raised his palm. “You stay here. I’m heading to our hospital.”
“Stay here?” Flavia questioned. Father’s hand lashed out, and he slapped her hard. She stumbled back with a gasp and held her cheek. I froze, terrified of making a wrong move. The fury in his eyes was too familiar.
He motioned around us. “You stay here. This is our home now. It’s a mansion worthy of an Underboss. The staff already carried your belongings upstairs to the bedrooms.”
My lips parted in utter shock. Father’s eyes narrowed on me, waiting for a word of protest. I snapped my lips shut and nodded meekly. “What about Nestore? What will happen to him now?”
Father gripped my hair and tore at it, making me cry out. “He’s my prisoner. You will forget he exists, understood?” He jerked my head back hard, making me scream.
“Yes, sir,” I pressed out when I could speak again.
He turned and left. His descent of the staircase was slow, and I didn’t dare move until I heard the sound of the front door closing.