Giorgio’s top boss.
Adriano’s older brother.
The man gave me a quick glance that chilled me to my soul.
When he moved towards me, my heart nearly stopped –
But he passed me by, thank God.
“Bianca,” he said in a deep voice as he took her into his arms.
She broke down crying again as he held her against his chest.
That gave me a moment to survey the other people in the foyer.
There were four women. Three were about my age; the fourth appeared slightly older.
The older one was tall and stunning. She had the build of an athlete beneath her black slacks, white blouse, and black jacket. Her face reminded me of a movie actress, but I couldn’t remember her name.
There was also another man in the foyer, too – an incredibly handsome Swede in tan pants and a dress shirt. He stood next to the tall woman with his arm around her waist.
One of the other women looked very smart, with stylish glasses and elegant clothes. Her long, brown hair was tied back in a ponytail.
Another girl was cute but looked out of place. She didn’t look likemafiaso much as a chick you might bump into in a bar. Shehad ear piercings, shoulder-length hair, and was dressed very casually.
The fourth woman was young butverypregnant. She looked sweet but worried, with an unhealthy pallor to her skin.
I also noticed she clutched a rosary in her hand as she rested it on her belly.
A rosary.
In all the mafia movies I’d seen, that was one thing I’d never understood.
How could someone who did whattheydid claim to be religious?
How could they believe in God and the Bible, and turn a blind eye to the evil around them?
Kind of like YOU with Giorgio?the mean little voice in my head whispered.
I had to admit, I felt ashamed at being so judgmental when I was no better.
The mafia don and Bianca were talking. I’d been so distracted by the other people in the foyer that I only caught the second half of their conversation.
“I know it’s stupid to be so upset,” Bianca sniffled. “I know it was just a bunch of clothes…”
“Itwasn’t,”Lucia protested angrily. “That shop was your dream! You workedhard,and those fuckers came in and destroyed it!”
“But you and I weren’t hurt,” Bianca said. “That’s the important thing.”
“Itisthe most important thing,” the tall mafia don agreed, “but what’s equally as important is your hopes and dreams aren’t gone. We will rebuild – and we will make whoever is responsible for thispay.This was not just an attack against you and your shop. This was an attack against theentire family.”
The anger in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
“Dario, this is Emilia – Giorgio’s girlfriend,” Valentino interrupted. He pushed me forward gently. “She helped save Bianca and Lucia’s lives.”
I was petrified when Dario turned to me.
But his eyes were no longer angry – they were curious, and seemed to search deep within me. Whatever he found there, he seemed to approve.
