Then he kisses me.
Chapter fifty-two
Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”
Poe’s verses, motives, and woe fill my head as I sit in my study, drumming my fingers on my father’s desk. Darkness fills the majority of the room, except the few shadows that are chased away by the light from the single desk lamp. An orange glow bleeds through the closed curtains as night approaches.
I don’t know how long I’ve sat here but time seems to stand still.
Doubt fills me.
Have I really been worthy of the title of capo all these years?
For years I’ve been able to eliminate my enemies with ease.
Now when the threat is internal and the chess pieces are stacked against me, I’m folding like an exposed king.
I look down at my father’s desk.
I don’t know what I expected to find by coming here.
Peace? Clarity? Comfort? Answers?
The future of the family hangs in the air and the weight of it crushes down on me.
After the visit to Madeline’s office, Dominic went back to his headquarters to do more digging into where Lucia was hidden.
I returned home to an empty house. Mama, Nonna, and Gigi have gone to the hospital to visit Matteo.
I remember my father sitting at this desk. He always looked so regal and in-charge. Visions of him carrying out meetings, counting money, and making deals fill my head. There’s always a sense of familiarity when I sit here as if his spirit resides within the wood.
I swivel back and forth in the big leather chair.
“Whoever Madeline was working with must have thought she would talk after what happened to Elio and that’s what got her killed,” I mutter aloud.
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on the desk, and press my fingers to my temples.
The only good part about this day was that Matteo had woken up from his coma and was in stable condition.
However, there’s still no word on where Lucia is.
I pray she’s okay.
I tap the mouse. The computer screen lights up revealing my email with no messages. I glance at my phone. Nothing. No muffled voice giving out warnings or a hint as to where Lucia could be.
Grumbling, I begin to open the drawers and shuffle through organized files, pens, and envelopes. I should be heading back to the hospital where the rest of my family is, but I can’t. I can’t face them knowing I don’t have the answer to calm them.
I’m the boss.
I’m responsible for their well-being.
I need to get answers and find out where Lucia is. I hope she’s okay and not hurt.
I slam one of the drawers. Where could she be?
My fingers slip under the desk and rub across the gritty surface.
I pause.
