Page 131 of The Man with a Treasure

“Okay. Okay.” She turned in her little pajamas and placed her hands to his chest, then pushed. With all her sweet courageous might, her bare feet gripped the floor and shoved. Struggling, she asked, “Angel, are we okay?”

More tears fell from my face. “We’re fine.” I love you. “Keep pushing.”

Keeping my gun pointed, I backed toward the balcony door. As Sal grudgingly allowed himself to be pushed toward the hallway, his stare locked to mine. He was so livid, the muscle under his eye twitched. “You better stop what you’re doing. Right now, Angelo.”

“Push him, Star. Push him hard.”

She grunted. “Okay, Angel.”

I knew she would. Her innocence had her following me, even when I was forcing her away. All the while, I prayed, Let me hold them again, God. Let me hold them both so fucking tight. Please.

I told Sal, “The keys are on my dresser. If I blow, run with her.”

I was confident whoever put my name on the envelope wouldn’t blow up the whole house and get the FBI involved. They would want a clean, simple kill. It’s what I would’ve wanted had I been the one setting the trap.

The muscles in Sal’s jaw kept popping as Scarlett got him into the hallway. “And your fucking son?”

“If he already exists, he’s yours now.”

Angry tears fell. “You. Fucking. Coward.”

I blew out a shaky breath, confident he would forgive me and understand someday. “I love you, too.”

They disappeared. My bedroom door shut.

Once I was past the balcony’s glass door and it was closed, I set my gun on the large dining table next to the grill. I then wiped my face and set down the package. I double-checked that Sal and Scarlett were gone before opening it. I was cautious as I pulled out a white box that read:

Open me, Angel.

I nodded. Whoever it was wanted my attention, or my death.

Inside the box was a cellphone with a note:

Call the only number saved, Angel.

Wondering if this was it, I did as I was told. When there was a ringing, I dared to pull the cellphone to my ear. Then heard, “Angel?”

Oh my God… “Isabella?”

She burst into tears. “She’s alive?”

Lightheaded, I fell back into a chair. “Yes. Alive and well. W-What happened? It’s been so long—”

“I only have minutes. When I hang up, destroy that phone.”

I sat up straight. The Suit in me moved front and center. “I’m listening.”

“Lorenzo’s been working with the Marchetti Mafia.”

Holy shit. “His status?”

Even though I knew I should hope he was dead and gone, the sinister side of me wanted him alive so I could kill him.

“Alive, pissed, and out for vengeance.”

“Why?” I want his scrawny neck between my hands, so I can—

She released an evil laugh. “Because I fight fire with fire.” She switched to Italian, “Welcome to the Giordano Mafia, Angelo Bianchi.”