He inhales deeply, then orders, “Whenever the meeting is called, you’ll be there.” But then his tone softens. “Take care,figlio.”
He hangs up, and I’m left to stare at the phone in my hand, my guts swirling at the thought of leaving my wife here, unprotected without me.
The sand in the hourglass is almost out, and her life hangs in the balance.
Chapter 31
Gina
I’mexhausted.
For the past few days, that memory of my father has continued to replay in my mind, like it’s the only memory I have. I don’t vomit each time, but the nausea is hell. The throbbing in my head doesn’t help, but I don’t know if that’s the phantom pain associated with the memory or if I might be getting dehydrated.
Etta has been plying me with some homemade remedy that her grandmother swore by, and it helps. But I swear, if I drink anything more with ginger in it, that might become my cause of nausea and vomiting.
Tommaso didn’t want to leave me, but he had a meeting to finalize the formation of the Chamber. This isn’t just a verbal agreement sealed with a handshake; these are blood contracts—the binding ones in this world—and those require him to attend in person. Tommaso has been working from home so much since I was released from the hospital, and I insisted that he couldn’t postpone this meeting.
Not when it meant peace. And, of course, prosperity. I’m not naïve enough to think this agreement is being made mostly to expand the power and wealth of these five criminal entities; however, the peace and stability it brings can’t be dismissed.
I’m in the family room, reading, curled up under a blanket. I’ve contemplated starting the fireplace, because it’s storming outside and the temperature has dropped drastically, and I can’t chase away this chill.
I haven’t been able to read much of the book, though, due to the flashes of that horrid memory constantly pushing in with my father telling me horrible things about Tommaso.
My brain must be twisting it into a distorted version of what happened. Or maybe it didn’t even happen; maybe it’s a mix of real and imagined details. Marie mentioned that something like that is a possibility, and I’ve read that as well in my research on amnesia.
There are two other reasons I’m having trouble concentrating. One reason is because of worrying since my negative pregnancy test, and that I might not be able to get pregnant. The other is the feeling of being an imposter in this world, in my own home, that grows every time that horrid memory of my father replays.
I’m a nobody… Why would Tommaso want me? Why would he marry a woman like me?my mind whispers.
Then my father voice says,“He never wanted you. Not the way you thought and hoped. He was using you… wanting you to be his whore.”
It’s a vicious cycle that worsens each time it happens.
Frustrated, I put the book down and throw back the blanket. The sound of a loud commotion makes me pause when I stand.
My heart quickens, thinking that we’re under attack, even though the estate is a secure fortress.
But then I hear a man shouting in Italian, “Why the hell are you trying to prevent me from enteringmyhouse, Adolfo? Jerome? I’ll have both your heads for this.”
Myhouse?
That has to be Stefano.
The commanding voice booms, reaching where I am in the family room, and I hurry to go investigate.
I know the situation with Tommaso here, and that ultimately, this is his father’s territory, including the house. I may not have met my father-in-law yet, but I am Tommaso’s wife, so I can hopefully ease the tension and prevent anyone from getting into trouble.
I had no idea that Stefano was coming. I have even less idea of why Adolfo and Jerome would try to stop him from coming into the house, but I’m not going to sit by and let this escalate.
When I leave the family room through the arched doorway, I turn left to head toward the front of the house. As I reach the end of the hall to turn, Etta comes around the corner and flies into me.
Her eyes are wide and panicked. “Go to your room, Gina.”
I hear Stefano shout again, along with another man whose voice I don’t recognize. “I’ll do no such thing.” When I hear a woman’s voice adding to the chaos, I quickly step around Etta and go around the corner.
I can see the front door as I quickly walk toward them. It’s easy to pick out Stefano from the group because he’s an older version of Tommaso. There’s another man with him that I don’t recognize. Which doesn’t surprise me, given my amnesia and the fact that Tommaso hasn’t introduced me to anyone from his world.
The young woman with them is stunning. If I had to guess, I’d say she was my age. Flawless skin, perfect make-up, and a sheet of ebony hair that’s so straight, I wonder how she keepsit that way, especially with the current storm. She’s dressed in a beautiful red pantsuit that screams haute couture, and her perfectly manicured nails match her outfit.
