“I won’t keep you. I wanted to say I appreciate you allowing us to crash your audition.”
“They’re waiting on me,” I repeat, no longer sounding annoyed. I can scarcely breathe for other reasons. It’s not fair. He doesn’t play fair.
Forlornly, I twist the broken hair tie between my fingers until Carlo gently takes it from me. “I’m sorry it broke, but you don’t need a good luck charm. Your beautiful voice will amaze them, with or without it. I also want to apologize. For Reno. It was deeply dishonorable of me, Francesca, and you were right to refuse. I deserved that slap and more. I sincerely apologize.”
You could knock me down with a feather. Carlo Vicini is apologizing to me. “If you say it a third time, you might cast a magic spell,” I murmur, strangely fascinated by his large, masculine hand clutching something of mine.
“Then, I apologize for a third time, Red." His grin has that unwanted burst of butterflies taking over my belly yet again.
He deserves to be made a fool,I remind myself as I hurry to the stage.
The theater isn’t darkened for an audition. I can see every face in the crowd. I lift my chin, summoning what courage I can find. The music begins and, for the first few notes, I feel like I’m forcing it. I try to look at tan coat and the lady sitting beside him. They’ve done this a million times. Their expressions give away nothing. I look five rows behind them. No, Ican’tlook at Sofia or Cat.
And then, my eyes find Carlo and, for no reason I can name, singing is the most natural thing in the world, with or without the stupid hair tie. Those dark eyes are riveted on me, drinking in my every note. There’s no guilt or doubt between us, only electricity. I’m the star, and he’s savoring my performance. It makes me feel powerful. Invincible. I don’t even notice Sofia slipping away to the bathroom as planned. I’m too busy singing for all I’m worth.
But one of the Vicini guards comes racing back into the theater, shouting, “She’s gone!”
I cover my mouth, feigning surprise, but I’m trying not to laugh. She got away! She did it. Ronan did it.
Except they didn’t.
When Carlo takes us all outside to continue the search, I spot my brother hurrying down the street in the distance.Alone. Where is Sofia if she’s not with him?
Carlo’s cold mask doesn’t disguise the rage lurking underneath as he crumples up a piece of paper the guard handed him inside. “Francesca, I want you and Mrs. De Luca to wait with my driver until more of my men arrive. You’ll be safer there.”
But when Caterina realizes her husband and brothers have arrived, she dashes across the street toward them, and I’m left alone with Carlo.
From the moment we met, he’s been a master at seeing right through me, and the look he gives me is unmistakable when he growls in my ear, “You are not at all shocked by this turn of events, are you?”
12
Francesca
Ever since Armando and Alessio became inseparable as boys, he’s been like part of the family. It didn’t stop him from threatening to torture Cat and I earlier for information regarding Sofia’s disappearance before Alessio arrived.
“My cousin’s not here to stop you now,” I say, testing the waters as he drives me from the hotel to the Vicini townhouse where my inquisition awaits. “I’ve known you all my life.” I don’t bother hiding the reproach in my tone.
Armando scowls at the traffic, his expression troubled, and I sense what he won’t say - he regrets his behavior. Made Men rarely ever admit fault. They consider it a sign of weakness. Strange that Carlo apologized to me three times earlier today.
“They’re going to torture me, Armando,” I say, swallowing hard and unable to hide my fear of pain.
“They won’t.”
“You’re only saying that to keep me from breaking down on you.”
Again, the scowl and troubled expression. “I’m giving you one piece of advice, Francesca – hiding things now won’t help you. Many of the men in that house will only see a girl when they look at you. Not all of them are in the habit of hurting girls… no more than I am.”
His voice is heavy with guilt but what I hear is notallof them. A chill runs through me, wondering about the ones who are in the habit of hurting girls.
I’ve pitied myself at times for suffering the consequences of my father’s actions. But the truth smacks me in the face tonight harder than Da ever did – I have only lived as well as I have within the Trio because Silvio De Luca chose to protect his sister and her daughter when a sweet old man begged his godson to send us to Las Vegas that fateful day.
“Bring the cunt inside,” my uncle snarls when we get out of the car.
Armando stiffens beside me, but he obeys his Capo’s orders. I’ve always been a little scared of Silvio, but he’s never spoken to me this way. How could I have been so cavalier about offering Sofia my help? Ronan and Cat both tried to warn me.
I’m soon facing a room full of men, not a friendly face among them. Rocco is here, looking like Christmas came early. Terror sweeps over me, and I struggle to control my trembling. Daniele Vicini sits behind a large desk, his fingers steepled together as he observes me with that wintry gaze. I find myself wishing Carlo was here, but I'm not sure that would save me.
“Signorina, please take a seat,” the old Don decrees.
