A grandfather clock chimes right next to me and I almost hit the roof. I’ve been so lost in my panic-ridden thoughts and unhinged bottle-singing, I blanked out my surroundings. So much for observing and cataloguing information for the police.
God, I’d make such a crap main character in a mafia book. My thoughts stray toMob’s Seduction. I still hate the title. I think about how strong the lead character is; the one that’s forced to marry the mob queen and how very unlike her I am. Damn, I wish I’d thought to put it in my bag now. Maybe I could have picked up a few tips and tricks. I need all the help I can get. Let’s be honest—I’m so screwed.
Mia steps up next to me and tips her head, which I’m guessing means I have to follow her. Lorenzo said he would have me taken to Kelley straight away, but it’s been at least twenty minutes. Clearly, I don’t get my impeccable punctuality from him. Blimey, that’s something else to analyse later. I can’t process family traits right now.
I know, being on a first-name basis with a mafia boss is a bit odd, but that’s what he told me to call him. And honestly?Don Ferrantefeels even weirder.
I follow like a good captive. No need to rock the boat. I’m sure all these people are bonkers, and the last thing I need is to piss off Mia and end up fish food. I wonder if they really do that? You know, tie blocks to peoples’ feet and throw them in the water?
As if this is the time to be wondering that! Focus, Bonnie!
The stately home we’re now wandering is…well, stately. Everything looks antique and expensive. I couldn’t tell a Picasso from a hole in the wall, so I’ll just presume the many,manypaintings are expensive, too. Mia takes me up a grand set of stairs. I’d be impressed if I weren’t so frightened.
After passing several doors, she finally leads me into a room at the end of the upstairs hallway. Kelley is sitting up in bed eating a sandwich, laughing at some woman who is tending to her shoulder.
Rushing past Mia, I practically throw myself at my best friend. She hisses in pain but holds me tightly. “I’m okay,” she says.
“I’m not,” I sob. I am far from okay. Pulling back, I give her a thorough scan. Her colour is back, and she has mayonnaise round her mouth. All-in-all, she looks great, which is baffling because doesn’t she realise what’s happening?
“I’ll leave you to it,” the still-unknown woman says. “I’ll be back later to change the dressing, Kel. Rest up.”
Kel?
Kelley smiles. “Thanks, Beth.”
If I’m not mistaken, there’s a twinkle in my best friend’s eye. Mia follows this Beth lady outside and shuts the door. I hear the distinctive sound of the lock engaging. No way we can make a run for it, then.
“We’re in so much trouble, Kelley.”
“Yeah, so what’s going on?” she casually asks, taking another bite of her sandwich.
“Kelley, how are you not freaking the hell out? And where did you get that?” I ask, pointing at the aforementioned sandwich. It smells divine.
“Want some? It’s excellent. Beth made it for me. Isn’t she dreamy?”
Taking Kelley by the face, I level her with the best “I’m-not-messing-about” stare. “Kelley, we’ve been kidnapped by mobsters. Beth is a mobster.”
“A dreamy mobster,” she sighs.
“Have they drugged you?”
She was a blubbering mess when Allegra came into the shop earlier. Why is she not a wreck now?
“No, and I get that we’re in a shitty situation. I wish Blondie hadn’t shot me. But then again, I wouldn’t have met Beth, who I think might be my soulmate.”
I narrow my eyes because I can’t believe my ears. Kelley, my best friend, who thinks buying a different brand of tea bag is too much drama to handle, is sitting here, casually chatting about a mobster being her true love. Maybe she’s in shock. I’ve heard that does strange things to a person.
“I’m going to bypass everything you’ve just said because it’s crazy—just as crazy as meeting the man behind our abduction, who, according to him, is my father.”
Kelley chokes on her latest chunk of sandwich, which is a much more appropriate response than the one I got a few seconds ago.
“Yourfather?”
Now I know Kelley is okay, I can’t keep the last hour at bay any longer. “Yes. His name is Lorenzo Ferrante. And apparently, he gave me up to protect me and my mother.”
“Whoa, back up there, lady. Take it from the top. What happened after we got separated?”
Unbuttoning my cardigan because I am unbelievably warm, I shake the thought of Allegra from my mind. Why she keeps popping up like a damn mole, I have no idea. Kelley wants me to recall the meeting with Lorenzo, and all I can do is picture Allegra’s unique eyes boring into me.
