Ravenna settles on the edge of the bed and grasps my hand. “Tell me who needs killing and I’ll do it.”
I smile, immediately regretting the way it pulls at my damaged skin. Sophia and Arianna sit at my other side. Gin perches herself at the end of the bed. Support rolls off of them in waves. I’m so grateful for them—and their husbands. I’ll never keep secrets from them again.
I squeeze my sister’s hand. “The killing is done, but I appreciate the offer.”
“How are you feeling? Not just physically but emotionally. You killed a man.”
Like I need the reminder. Though honestly… and this may change as I fully process what happened, but all I feel is relief. A bone deep sense of having done what I needed to do to protect myself and Julianna.
“It was his life or mine,” I tell them, as if I need to clarify that point. “Honestly, I’m not sure I would have fought that hard if it weren’t for Julianna.”
Sophia glances at Ravenna. “Who’s Julianna?”
My sister shrugs, so all eyes turn to me for an answer.
“She’s Maximo’s baby sister. Remember when I thought he was cheating on me? Nope. Turns out he has a sister.”
“I didn’t know he had a sister,” Sophia remarks.
“Well, they did fake her death six years ago.” My explanation only brings more questions to the surface. “Anyway, you’ll all meet her at some point. She’s a fighter too. I think you’ll like her.”
Arianna folds her hands in her lap. “She sounds like a Pontrelli woman to me.”
Another smile tugs at my lips. “That she is. Which is partly why I couldn’t just let them… you know.”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” Sophia laces her fingers through mine. “We’re so glad you’re both safe now.”
“Me too.” I sigh, suddenly exhausted. The pain meds are really kicking in.
“We’re here for you,” Arianna says. “If you need anything at all, we’ll be here. Literally just in the other room, because Maximo looks like he could use some help around here while he heals too.”
“And there’s no better help than family.” Gin beams at me. “You should get some sleep. Looks like those pills are working.”
“Thank you. All of you. From the bottom of my heart.” My eyelids flutter.
“Sweet dreams.” Ravenna drops a kiss on my head.
A restless sleep takes hold of me as my subconscious attempts to process everything that’s happened. I wake once to find Maximo holding me close, his breathing slow and even. Bruises and cuts smatter his handsome face. I snuggle closer and let sleep claim me again.
The next time I wake, he’s gone, but his voice drifts in from the hallway. I hear Sophia and Ginevra too. They did stay to takecare of us. That alone makes me feel safer, being surrounded by family, those we can trust.
CHAPTER 59
Maximo
As the days pass, Elena and Julianna heal, but I can’t get the carnage out of my head. Blood and gore everywhere. Each room told its own story of the violence it saw that day. Dario lying prone, blood literally everywhere. In the next room, Niccolò’s broken nose, missing eyeball, cracked head… and that was all before I got to him and caved the rest of his skull in with the butt of my gun. That was only a quick outlet for my anger after seeing him on top of my wife.
Elena and Julianna did the majority of the damage.
My chest swells with pride. They’re survivors. Fighters. I’m so proud of both of them.
At the same time, they never should have been in that situation. I failed them both. I should have taken the warning signs about Lazaro more seriously.
In hindsight, I should have brought Lazaro in as soon as I suspected him. Fuck the rules. To hell with the need for evidence.
If I’d acted sooner, Elena and Julianna never would have gotten hurt. Their pain is my fault.
Now that the worst is over, the other dons have not only condoned what I had to do, but they’re also conducting a sweepamong our ranks. Anyone who sided with Lazaro is a threat against us all. We stand united as those loyal to us track down every single one of the traitors.
