Antonelli's men are closing in.
If they breach the outer defenses before we get there?—
I stop myself before I start imagining the worst-case scenarios.
My men are capable, even the ones left behind to watch my home.
They'll get my family safely into the panic room, which is virtually impenetrable, and I know they'll be safe.
Everything else is just material property, which can be replaced.
But Gerard is about to learn why he should never fuck with me.
We pile into the cars and start out toward the villa, racing through Roman back streets and dark allies.
And I reach into my pocket to phone my newest ally.
"Mr. Santonelli?" Eren says, and before he can finish his greeting, I'm talking, telling him it's time to move and that we need his men now.
As many as he can send.
I intend to end this now.
29
ANGELICA
Marta stands at the counter kneading dough for tomorrow's bread, and I sit at the table with Sofia, a children's book open between us, but my attention keeps drifting to the window that overlooks the garden.
Dante hasn't called or updated me all day.
I slept almost until noon today, and Marta took care of Sofia, who now refuses to sleep because Dante isn’t here to read to her.
I'm trying.
Desperately, I'm trying.
But I'm not doing very well with holding myself together.
Even Sofia notices that something is wrong.
"Mama, you're not listening," Sofia says, tugging at my sleeve.
"I am, baby." I force myself to focus on the page. "The rabbit is hiding in the garden, right?"
"No, that was three pages ago." She sighs dramatically and flips back through the book. "See? Now he's at the market."
I pull her closer and kiss the top of her head.
"You're right. I'm sorry. Let's start this page again."
She begins reading, her small finger tracing the words as she sounds them out in her little voice, and I try to concentrate, but my eyes keep returning to the window.
Something is wrong.
I just know it.
Dante would've reported in by now if things were under control.
