Page 318 of Valentino

“Franco,” I call, I run to the back room that leads to outside and my eyes widen in horror. “Oh my God.”

He’s lying in a pool of blood, a bullet wound between his eyes.

Lifeless and staring straight ahead.

No.

“Franco,” I cry, I fall to my knees beside him and take his head into my lap. He’s as cold as ice.

No.

No.

This cannot be happening.

“Help me,” I cry.

The walls close in, time stands still. “No, Val needs you,” I whisper. “Franco, wake up,” I cry. “No, no, you can’t die. You can’t die.”

And then I see it, beside him on the floor, the photo frame with the picture of Valentino with Carlo is sat up and perfectly placed.

Blood is finger-drawn in a love heart around Carlo’s face.

Oh my God.

The hairs on the back of my head stand to attention.

No.

I stand and step back as my eyes dart around the room.

Visceral fear closes in.

“Carlo’s here.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

3:05 p.m.

Milan.

School pickup.

Oliva’s black SUV pulls up outside of the school ground, her guard opens the door for her. “Thank you.” She smiles as she climbs out of the car. “I won’t be a moment.”

Dtttt dtttt A semiautomatic weapon echoes off the surrounding buildings. Dtttt dtttt.

Blood splatters onto Olivia’s face, her driver falls to the ground.

He’s been hit.

“Get in the car,” her other guard yells. “Now!”

Pandemonium. Confusion.

Screams ring out as people run through the parking lot to try and escape the violence.

“Get in the fucking car!”