“I think after losing his son he won’t be willing to lose the only child he has left.”
Pietro blows a nervous breath. “You’re awfully confident of this plan of yours.”
“I am.”
“That’s good but,” he says, stepping back and wearing that shit eating grin that means more trouble than it’s worth, “I bought an insurance policy.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
He holds his finger up at me to wait and goes to make a call. “Come on in boys.”
My muscles immediately lock. “What are you doing, Pietro?”
He steeples his hands and then rhythmically taps his fingers. His eyes are mischievous. “Carina said appearances, right? And who am I to disappoint our Donna?”
“This isn’t part of the plan,” I say tightly.
“You’re right.” His eyes gleam. “It’s a better one!”
I can’t explain it. I can never seem to fucking explain it. It’s almost as if I’m unraveling. Tearing apart at the seams but only internally. Everything seems to be happening at once and I can’t pinpoint one thing to focus on.
Before I lose it I need a moment to calm my racing thoughts. Head down I push past Pietro, purposely checking him on the shoulder as I stride to the exit.
I faintly hear him call after me but I’m too in my own head to acknowledge him.
This is why I’m the one who handles things. I make the plans. I strategize. That way there’s no surprises. No sudden changes. Because this feeling? This feeling I can’t place or control? I fucking hate it.
The stale air of New York City hits my face. My nose is assaulted by the stench of trash, smoke and rotting food but fuck is it welcome.
Dragging in breaths I twist the watch around on my wrist. I keep turning and turning it until I feel myself come back in control.
One last turn, one last breath.
“Rico?” My fingers linger on the worn leather of the watch. Casting my head to the side I see Gino from my peripheral vision. “She’s up and she’s calling your name.”
I nod my head.
There’s something primal that awakens within me knowing she’s asking for me. It screamsMINE.
And damn all the gods if she isn’t.
CHAPTER 14
Imogen
The intensity of the harsh light has me squinting and sweating at the crown of my head. I shift uncomfortably.
I’m bound.
Again.
Except this time to an unforgiving chair. As I shift I can hear the crinkle of plastic beneath me.
Is he going to kill me?
Heart pounding I scream out his name for him to appear from the shadows and step in front of the light. “Rico!”
Silence answers me. I should know better. The Grim Reaper answers to no one except the Devil.
