Tino stretched a hand at me. “Angelina, give me your phone.”
I reached inside my pocket without thinking and handed my phone to him. He gave it to Michele, and the bodyguard exited rapidly.
“Wait, what are you gonna do with it?” I asked.
“Tapping it. He’s going to call or text you. We’ll find him when he does.” Tino brought out his own phone. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a phone call to make.”
My eyes narrowed at him. “How can you be so sure? And so freaking calm? Why are you eliminating the possibility that he’s actually been kidnapped? By a psycho killer?”
He rolled his eyes. “Go to your room, Angelina. Rest or play some music. Maybe chill by the pool. Enjoy your winter break while I handle my business. I’ll find my son by the end of the day.”
I was about to give him another piece of my mind, but Nicky grabbed my arm and practically dragged me out of the office.
“Let go, Nicky. Why are you taking his side now all of a sudden? Didn’t you think he was gonna off me earlier?”
“I still think he would, especially if you interfere with Mafia business,” Nicky said.
I shook my head in disbelief. “Nicky, I’m so scared. If something happens to Leo because of me, I’ll never forgive myself. I have to do something to help him. Anything.”
“What can you do?”
“I don’t know. There must be something.”
“All we can do is wait, pray and let the Mob does what the Mob does. C’mon, put on your bathing suit and let’s go for a swim. It’ll take the edge off while we wait. Maybe get the violin, too. It’ll help us all relax.”
My shoulders slumped in resignation. How helpless I was agitated and saddened me.Why did you have to like me, Leo?Why didn’t you stick to your fiancé, to your world where people like me didn’t belong or fit?“How did we get into this mess, Nicky?”
She puckered her lips and rubbed my back. “It doesn’t matter how we got in. It’s how we get out that matters the most.”
Chapter 32
Lina
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, second movement. One of the saddest pieces ever made. I’d been playing it for the past two hours.
“Can you please change this goddamn song?” Nicky wiped her wet face, glaring at me in the pool.
“Fine.” I switched to Schindler’s List Theme by John Williams.
She slapped the water. “Oh for fuck’s sake. Something not so dark. Please.”
“Well, I don’t exactly feel peppy at the moment.” I was scared shitless. For Leo. For myself. Ifhetook him,hewould finish the rest ofhisthreat and come for me. To take me too. To rape me. If Leo just went to the Lanzas, who knew what they’d do for payback? They’d hurt me.Theywould kill me to get me out of Leo’s way.
“Then stop making it worse by playing sad songs.”
I took a deep breath, shaking my head and checking my phone for the millionth time. I couldn’t believe I’d ever say that. “Please, call me, Leo.”
Staring at the phone, willing it to ring, didn’t work. I put my bow back in position. Music was the only thing keeping me from going insane.
Back to December.
Maybe he’d listen.
I started the melody and Nicky still protested. I ignored her and focused only on the music and the flashes of Leo’s smiles from yesterday.
How could every good occasion in my life turn into a terrible trauma?
The day I thought life took away the monster that ruined my life for twelve years was the day a worse monster took over my life to continue ruining it forever.
