I bolt.
I'm almost at the study door when it flies open to reveal Sandro Castellani's furious face.
"DeLuca," he snaps, laying eyes on me. "Get in here. Now."
As I enter the study, the first person I see is Johnny Jacopo of all people, and he looks serious. Concerned. Usually he's all smiles and jokes, even in the darkest days. So my heart skips an extra beat when I see Darian sitting over in the bay window, his face pale, but with that stubborn expression that always gets my back up.
What the hell has he gone and done?
"Get Julian and Leo up here at once!" Sandro barks at Mario Vecchi, who was standing guard outside the door. Then he slams the door shut and rounds on me. "Well, DeLuca. It seems my butler has ties to the Clemenzas. And also expects me to believeyouknew nothing of this."
Darian interrupts him, and I can't help wincing. "Don Castellani, you reacted before hearing my full confession."
Sandro lets out a wild laugh that makes me wince again, and Jack gives me a warning look. "Confession?" Sandro asks mockingly. "Youkilled Clemenza, then, and shot Chops Lollo? Dragged him all by yourself into that passage?—"
"Of course he didn't," I snap, anger flaring hot in my veins. "Darian's no killer. There's been a mistake."
Sandro's eyes spit venom at me, but his voice is soft. Dangerous. "I would advise you to beverycareful, DeLuca, how you speak to me."
I turn to Jack, who at least seems level-headed in comparison to Sandro right now. "You did the background checks on Darian—and they were fine, weren't they?"
His eyebrows go up. "What? No, I didn't do the checks. Julian told me he asked Pedretti to do them, since I was busy being Underboss."
"But—"
Thankfully—maybe thankfully—we're interrupted by Julian and Leo. How the hell did they get here so fast? Julian looks around the room as they enter, taking in Sandro's rage and Darian's rigid poise. "Well, this looks cozy. What's the occasion?"
"So help me, Julian," Sandro says, "if you knew anything about this?—"
"Good God, Sandro," Julian says lightly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "What on earth is going on? Leo and I were on our way up to see whyyouwere here so early, and the guards are all a-flutter."
Leo says nothing. Smart. Getting between the Castellani brothers when they're sniping at each other isn't a great idea.
"Your new pet was in the middle of his confession," Sandro snaps at Julian, and he waves a hand at Darian in invitation. "Well? The floor is yours."
But before Darian can say anything, I step forward. It's time to face the music. "Don Castellani, I?—"
Sandro's glare could shatter diamonds. "DeLuca, you will keep your mouth shut until you are asked to speak." He turns back to Darian. "Out with it."
Darian lifts his chin. "On the night of the murder," he says calmly, "I had an argument with Tony Clemenza."
My heart sinks. There's no going back now.
"He threatened to reveal sensitive information about my mother to enemies from her past if I didn't get him some information—about all of you, and also Mr. Bernardi, here." Darian gestures at the Lion, then pauses.
I see an odd light in Julian's eyes. "He threatened your mother?" he murmurs softly. "And Leo?"
"Go on," Sandro prompts.
"I refused to give him what he wanted. He told me to think about it overnight. I did. The next morning I went to his room and repeated my refusal—before I realized he was dead. As soon as I saw that he was, I ran to get Raf—Mr. DeLuca." Darian keeps his gaze steady on Sandro. "That was the entirety of my interaction with Tony Clemenza. I did not kill him. And despite what Mr. DeLuca might claim, he had no idea about any of this."
"Oh, come on!" I burst out, but Sandro lifts a hand to silence me.
He studies Darian, eyes narrowed. "You come to me only now with this tale and expect me to believe youdidn'tkill the man to protect your mother's secrets? I know what sons will do for their mothers." His eyes dart to Julian, just for a moment.
"Itold Darian to keep quiet," I say. "So if you're looking for someone to punish?—"
"If I hear one more word from you, DeLuca, without my inviting it, you will find yourself unable to speak ever again."
