“Father, I agree with Romeo,” Savio said. “We should turn our sights to co-existing. Our ventures are already suffering from the other families not respecting our boundaries.”
A smile slid across my father’s jaw that was so vile and ill-bred it made my stomach knot up. “Ah, my youngest son. How kind of you to volunteer.”
“Volunteer?” Savio said. “For what?”
There was a sound of clicks as the guns of all of my father’s men lining the walls cocked simultaneously. Marcello saw the ones pointed at the twins and started to stand, but one gun found the back of his head directly. The twins were shaking, but quiet, and I found their strength in the moment inspiring.
Two goons ripped Savio out of his seat and threw him to the floor. “No!” Alessandra yelped before Chiara could get a hand over her mouth to quiet her.
Angelo nodded and the goons started to beat Savio while we all watched. Marcello and Romeo looked far angrier than I expected them to be, and it was only at that time that I realized while the Cavettis were bonding with the Bonifacios, we’d been presented with an opportunity to bond with one another as well. Alessandra started to sob silently with Chiara holding her and patting her head, and Lucia watching her sisters with tears in her eyes.
I bit the inside of my cheek so hard that I could taste the blood starting to seep into my mouth, but when I saw Savio’s body go limp and the goons continue to beat him, I couldn’t stay quiet anymore. “That’s enough! They’re going to kill him!” I yelped. Angelo nodded his head and the grunts stopped their assault, lifting Savio up off the floor and dragging him out of the room. “Where are they taking him?” I screamed.
“To recover in his bedroom,” Angelo replied. “And you will lower your voice when you speak to me.”
I was so angry my body was shaking. My nose burned as I fought back tears, glaring at my father.
I wanted him dead.
“Now,” he continued, “you’ve all seen the lengths I’m willing to go to in order to make sure we achieve the power we’re entitled to. I willnotstand for any more insubordination. Trust me, my children, I knowwellwhere you all stand with the Bonifacios.” He looked straight at me, into me, through me. “I’ve no problem eliminating anyone who would serve as a distraction to you.”
He knew. But if he knew.
Why wasn’t Giorgio at the table?
Tears slid down my face then. “You didn’t.”
“You promised me that you wouldn’t hurt them anymore,” Romeo said. “Nothing to hurt my bride or the next generation of our legacy.”
“I won’t,” Angelo replied, turning a gaze to Romeo. “So long as you fall in line.”
With that, he stood up from the table, and walked out, snapping his finger as he went and calling off his men.
Marcello was out of his chair in a flash and over to Chiara’s side. He pulled her against him, but she stayed latched onto Alessandra. Romeo brushed a hand across Lucia’s cheek to wipe her tears away, and I was on the brink of sobbing.
Did my father kill Giorgio?
“Romeo,” I whimpered.
“Yeah, go. Marcello, go with her. I’ll protect the girls.”
Marcello nodded, kissed Chiara on the head, and then I stood up and bolted from the table. Marcello was right on my heels as I raced up the stairs and down to Giorgio’s bedroom. I threw open the door and Giorgio’s head whipped over, shocked.
He stood up but then hesitated. “What’s wrong, Miss Cavetti?”
I rushed over to him and threw my arms around him, breaking down as I did so. “I thought you were dead.”
“Why?” Giorgio said.
My father made a silent, but a very real threat, one that shook me to my core.
“I’ll be outside,” Marcello said.
“It’s okay, go back to Chiara,” I replied.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yeah. Giorgio’s here. Nothing will happen to me.”
