“What for?”
“This.” He waves his hand around us, taking in the empty hall. “I didn’t think I would ever get out of there, Cat. I thought I would stay in that hellhole for the rest of my life – until he decided I wasn’t worth keeping alive anymore.”
“Stefan,” I whisper, but he shakes his head.
“And then you came,” he continues. “With your fire, and your steak knife—” I punch his shoulder, and he laughs, low and rough, “—and as much as I wish you had never been there… I am more than grateful to be here, Caterina Corvo. With you.”
I don’t have any words. Don’t want to imagine him still there, a hostage under Salvatore’s control. So instead, I rise up, pressing my lips to his. “I claimed you. You’re mine.”
His lips curl beneath mine. “Yes.”
After he leaves to change, I duck into the bedroom and pull out my new phone, pressing it to my ear as it rings out.
“Sì.”
My shoulders loosen at the guarded voice that answers. “Vincent. It’s me.”
A pause, and then a relieved inhale. “I’m so fucking glad to hear your voice. How are you doing?”
“Fine.” I pause. “Better. How are you?”
He snorts. “The bullet barely grazed me. Up and walking around.”
“Take it easy. Please. How are things there?”
I take a seat on the bed, my frown deepening as he speaks. “They’re still on campus?”
Vincent makes a noise of affirmation. “I think we should pull everyone out, Cat. Matteo’s men aren’t fucking around. He’s angry.”
I think it over, tapping my fingers against my knee. “Not angry.Scared. He wants us spread out, Vincent. The further apart we are, the harder it is to organise. Matteo knows the campus is a key location for us. Keeping his men stationed there is just a reminder.”
And if I walk through those gates, their guns will not hesitate to point in my direction. “I won’t abandon it. Keep your head down. Tell the others – I won’t be long. If anyone does want to leave… let them. I won’t force anyone to stay. Tell them that too.”
Even though I need every soldier I have, every scrap of manpower I can gather. I can’t afford to lose any.
Vincent clearly knows it too. “Cat…,”
“Forcing them to stay would make me tantamount to Matteo, Vincent.” I study the floor, turn the thoughts over in my mind. “Our people are not machines to die for us at will. That’s not what the hierarchy is for.”
We care for those under us – or we used to. I cannot – will not - force anyone to die for me. Honour, loyalty –thoseare the traits of the Cosa Nostra. Something Matteo has twisted and warped in his push for power.
“And Matteo?” Vincent sounds subdued. “He’s gathering more men. Hundreds.”
My lips curve up at that. “I’m working on it. Can you send me Alessandro’s number?”
We talk for a few minutes longer, before I broach the topic lingering in my mind. “Any news on Frankie? Tony?”
“Nothing.” Vincent’s anger is clear. “She’s vanished, Cat. Tony – he blames himself for letting her go. He’s still searching, doesn’t stop to sleep, but it doesn’t look good.”
My eyes close. “If you hearanything, I want to know straight away. Do you need anything else from me?”
“A miracle would be nice.” There’s humor there, but he sounds tired.
“It won’t be long now. The end is coming.”
I just don’t know who will be left standing.
15 – Giovanni
