Bianca would laugh at the irony of the Preda don resembling Vito Corleone. I might’ve under different circumstances, but ain’t shit funny. I almost lost her. Had I not shown her how tooperate the app I installed on her phone to command the drones, I wouldn’t be in Agostino’s office willing myself to remain calm. I’d be dead after taking as many motherfuckers with me as possible before searching for Bianca in the afterlife.
“Salvatore?” Agostino asks.
I pull at my suit lapels. Luiggi moves again, as do Agostino’s men. Andrea curses and frees the remote from his pocket to detonate the explosives attached to the drones around the property.
Everybody will take a forever nap before I allow my enemies to best me.
“Camurria.“ Agostino waves off his men once he sees the syringe in Luiggi’s hand. The bags under his eyes sag. “Leave us.”
Andrea lingers. “Ni videmu,“ I assure him.
The door closes with a soft click. Agostino folds his hands over the worn writing desk separating us. On the mantelpiece behind him, there is a photograph of him with his two sons when they were children.
“I had a love like yours once.” He lets out a shaky laugh. “Killed to keep her safe and almost started a war myself. Marrying the person you want is a gift in this life. Wives have and will never be targets.”
“Tell that to your youngest,” I say through clenched teeth. “I already took your father. I will not hesitate to kill your son.”
Agostino’s jaw works. “I was not a fan of my father’s actions, nor did I uphold them. I extended grace to you for his death, given your age. Make no mistake, Salvatore. I will protect my family the same way I expect you to protect yours.”
I grab the briefcase next to my chair and slide it across the desk.
He frowns. “What’s this?”
“Payment. I leveled the building with the sales associate inside,” I say. Stephanie texted me a photo of the wedding dress Bianca tried on. Figured it was free.
A smile ghosts across Agostino’s mouth. “You remind me of myself when I was your age. I’ll talk to Tino to put an end to any actions against your fiancée, assuming it was him. It ends today.”
“Your son is involved in migrant smuggling. Talk with him about that before you plan his funeral.”
Agostino blinks, then shakes his head. “I forbade our involvement since I took over my family.”
“He’s working with an outside partner who has the resources to move around you.” I don’t tell him to watch his back. It’s implied, but they can all die.
Andrea drives me back home. He claims it’s insurance so I won’t take out any more buildings today, but the hearts in his eyes say otherwise. He’s been texting Stephanie since they met at the airport. The bridesmaid dress she wore mysteriously found its way into his SUV before everything turned to ash.
“We’re almost there,” he says to the video feed of Bianca on my phone. She’s taking out her braids with his new crush in the living room.
I let out a breath and close my eyes. “She almost died today.”
“You saved her.”
“But?”
He sighs. “Maybe it’s best if she goes home.”
“Where is this coming from?”
“You blew up a building in Preda territory today.”
I stare. “And?”
“And we almost got into a gunfight. You tried to kill a dead man again with twenty-eight bullets to his chest.”
I don’t see the problem.
“After you crushed his arms and legs,” Andrea adds. “I love you like a brother, but I’m not cool with you pushing us to the brink of war. Bianca has people who love her back home. Let her live a safe life, away from our bullshit.”
My heart lodges in my fucking ribs at the thought of her walking out of my life. I want her safe, but I can’t say goodbye—not yet. I’m in too deep and will chase her if she ever leaves.
