“You fucking moron. Even if I went along with this, how will you keep her from running to him?”
“Watch how you talk to me, brother. You are more of a problem at the moment than I care to consider. Don’t make me take how much into consideration.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m warning you. It would be easier to make you disappear for good than to have to explain to my nephew why you won’t be in contact with him until I bring the girl back,” Emilio bites out.
Fredrico paces away as he grumbles to himself. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around all of this. I don’t want to send my niece back into danger, but can I really trust Emilio to keep her safe?
“My brother has told me that Brenda wants Oni to go away to school. My daughter attends an art academy in Italy. I have had plans for her to work for our art dealership when she comes of age until she marries.
“Since it was Emilia’s life Oni saved when she took that bullet, I would like to offer her this opportunity. I am not trying to reenter Brenda’s life or manipulate Oni into anything. She needs to be safe, and my nephew needs to be focused.
“I will deal with the fallout when the time comes. This is the best option. I will cover all the expenses. Oni won’t ever have to steal another thing in her life.
“For saving my daughter’s life, she will be treated like a Gallo princess. Your niece is smart. I will be the one to talk to her and offer her this option.
“She will take it, and she won’t contact Rico until I allow it. Mark my words,” Emilio says.
“You will not talk to her alone.” Fredrico seethes.
“As you wish.”
I pull a hand down my face. “Un-fucking-believable,” I breathe. “If something else happens to her, I’m going to take your fucking head off.”
“This was never on my or anyone else in my family’s hands, so take your threats and drop them at Sullivan’s door where they belong,” Emilio snaps.
I rock back on my heels. So that’s the real problem. Emilio may have gotten over Jack and Brenda, but he never got over Jack and Finn Sullivan. What does that have to do with Oni?
Oni
Pure fire is runningthrough my shoulder. Slowly, I open my eyes and look around to figure out where I am. I blink a few times.
I’m in a dimly lit room. As I focus, a beeping sound catches my ear. I turn my head and realize I’m in a hospital room.
Swallowing hard, I try to remember what happened. Emilia … she got out of the truck. I groan and lift a hand to my head.
“Shit,” I murmur.
My mouth feels so dry. How long have I been here? Is everyone else safe?
Rico was still unconscious when I got out of the back seat of the car to get to Emilia. I saw the moment one of the guys locked his focus on her and aimed. I’ve never been more fearful in my life.
I took him out as I raced for her, but I don’t remember anything after that. My head is pounding as much as my shoulder is burning. My mom is going to kill me.
I’m in way over my head now. Uncle Claude is going to strangle me. Maybe Rico is right, it’s time for me to go back home.
As soon as I have that thought, panic races through me. New York doesn’t feel like home anymore. It feels more like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off the moment I return.
I try to think of why I have that feeling so strongly. I can’t put my finger on the answer, but I know my feelings are valid. Trying harder, I push to grab onto the nagging thoughts hiding in the back of my mind.
“You’re awake.”
I look to the door to find Fredrico Sr. and Uncle Emilio standing in the doorway. It was Emilio who spoke. He is also the first to enter.
Fredrico comes and places a kiss on my cheek as he reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. I look into his eyes and note a sadness that’s not normally there. My heart begins to race.
Did something happen to Rico? Is Emilia okay? Did something happen to one of the other guys?
