He raked his fingers gently through my hair.
“We will kill them,” he murmured. “They took my Amelia from me. I have found the connection. They hired Everett Church to kill Delilah and Gianna. And he hired a man named Daniel Hall. That man is dead, but he was deeply connected with many monsters. I learned about it far too late. My grief kept me blind for many years.”
I looked up at him and swallowed hard.
“Tell me what to do, and I will do it. Anything.”
“Marry the girl,” he said softly. “The one you keep. She will kill you. It’s what Domenico sent her for. And when you’re dead, I will bring you an angel as long as you have given me back my son.”
I had no idea what angel he could give me, but I assumed I really would die for this and get to see my Del and Gianna again.
It was a release I craved.
“Yes,” I choked out. “I will.”
Santino leaned in and pressed his lips to my forehead like he used to do when we were boys. He’d read me bedtime stories while we listened to the screams of those being tortured around us. Sometimes I’d listen to his screams. Sometimes he’d listen to mine.
Bonded in a darkness so deep and unfathomable that I was surprised we came out as good as we had.
“I am sorry for leaving you, Matt,” he murmured, cradling my face. “But I was never far. I did what I couldwhenI could.”
I said nothing and hugged him against me.
And he hugged me back, kissing the top of my head fiercely.
“What do you say we raise some hell, little brother?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice strong. “Let’s.”
Santino let out a soft, dangerous chuckle that made even me shiver as he released me from his hold.
“Do you know how to use a drill?”
I frowned at his question.
His blue eyes sparkled. “Take me to see my son, and I will teach you. Then, we can get to work.” He stood, and I followed.
Who was I to tell The Carpenter no?
31
ALESSIO
Ieyed Santino De Santis wearily as he sat next to Constantino in his room. Coming back to Teo’s estate to find the two plotting several murders was certainly a surprise, but Teo seemed to have a new spark lit inside him.
He seemed… excited.
So I joined in, Klaus with us, as we went over ideas.
And now, I sat in a chair nearby in Constantino’s—Evan’s—room as he visited with his father.
“Do you want something to eat?” Santino asked Evan.
“Uh, maybe in a bit,” he answered.
“I have nothing planned for this evening. We can catch the game tonight.”
Evan was quiet for a moment. “No offense, Dad, but I think I’d like to skip it for tonight. The game.”
