“Where are you going, Bianca?” Marta sang.
Bianca looked from me to Alfio to Marta. “Isn’t it over?”
“Si. But we haven’t talked about the arrangements for tonight’s ceremony yet. Join me in the lounge, per favore,” Marta said. “We have a lot to discuss. I want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible whilethe whole familywatch my son and you celebrate your holy union.”
Merda. How long could Bianca take before she snapped or broke? “Now is not the time, Marta.” I stood and wrapped my arm around Bianca, my protective instincts flaring. I had a nagging urge to shield…my wife…from my own family. From my own mother. Surprisingly, Bianca leaned into me.
“Now is the perfect time. The family members aren’t exactly pleased with the contents of the will. They need something to lighten the mood.” Marta gave me a warning stare, and then she rolled it toward Bianca. “Everyone is already here, and Bianca is a fine healthy woman, so what’s the delay?”
Bianca pressed her lips into a thin line. Then she stepped forward, standing less than an inch taller than Marta. “This family has a code, doesn’t it?”
Be smart. Don’t say anything you’ll regret. Be smart.
“Certo. You know that. You’ve been a member of this family for almost two years.” Marta said.
“Doesn’t that code prohibit rape under any given circumstances?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I should have cut that tongue of hers.
“Of course.” Marta feigned shock. “But who said anything about rape?”
“The consummation ceremony is a coupling between a man and his wife. They vowed before God that they walked into their marriage willingly. Unless they were lying to God and their families, there is no rape involved.” Alfio smirked.
“Do you know any Lanza who did such a terrible thing?” Marta pushed. “Because if you do, you’ll have to tell Enzio right away. He will take care of it.”
“I will do that, Marta. Thanks,” Bianca rasped. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I have a quick errand to run.” She glanced at me. “Can I borrow your car?”
“I’ll drive you,” I said warily.
She clenched her teeth. “I want to visit Cosimo’s grave, and I need to do this alone.”
That was a lie. She wanted to run for her life. Like she could. With a sigh, I gave her the key to the Maserati. I’d let her try, at least that would stop her from talking. I’d follow her, of course, and would bring her back by force if I had to. But I’d still have a good chance to keep her alive when her tongue wouldn’t. “Don’t be late.”
“What about thearrangements?” Marta’s eyes widened at me, as if saying, “Are you blind or have you lost your mind?”
“I’m sure you can take care of it on your own like you took care of the will…opening,” Bianca said. “But don’t worry, I’ll be back in time, more than ready for theholyceremony.”
Chapter19
Bianca
I ran among the parked cars—there must have been fifty of them at least—clogging the entrance. I found the Maserati. It still had Mario’s car seat in it. Swiftly, I secured Mario in his seat and strapped him tight. Then I jumped into the driver’s seat.
As soon as I moved the car way from the rest, I slammed the gas paddle and left through the back gates before the two hounds assigned to me got in their ride. My breath accelerated with the car. My mind groped for an explanation of what the fuck just happened.
Cosimo would have never done that. Never. Even if he’d changed the will, he’d have told me. He said he’d have. And if his plan had been to fuck me over like that, he wouldn’t have been killed for us.
No.Theymust have changed it.
How could they do that? How could they forge his will like that? Literally? I’d checked the date. It was the same date on the copy in the safe in our penthouse.
They must have thought I didn’t know. I was sure Enzio had his doubts recently, and he must have told them, but obviously he didn’t. And they thought they could just write whatever they wanted and paste Cosimo’s signature and date on it.
“Oh my God. Oh my God, what am I gonna do now?” How did I go back to square one like that? Step one in my plan was fucked. And if I didn’t do something, in a few hours,Iwouldliterallyget fucked.
They had no reason to keep me alive now. If I opened my mouth about the will or object to anything they demanded whatsoever, they’d just kill me.
I grabbed my phone from my pocket and called Alfarez. There must be something he could do.
