He’s fucking close.
Angelina looks to me, and I give her a nod. I know she wants permission to speak. I want to gather her to me and kiss every inch of her. I’m proud of her for waiting, for not setting foot into the lion’s den unaware.
“Yes, baby?” I ask. Our affection for each other seems to infuriate Regazza even more, but he has no way to hurt us without risking his own life.
“We didn’t try to play you at all,” she says, shaking her head. “I promise. I only tried to help my friend escape a life she didn’t want to lead.” Her voice shakes, but she continues nonetheless. “A life that… a life that you chose for her.”
Regazza’s watery eyes narrow on my wife. I hope he does pull a weapon. I’d slice his throat right here, right now, gleefully.
Mama’s rugs are replaceable.
“You filthy liar,” he growls. “I always thought you weren’t good enough for my daughter. I always thought—”
“Right,” Tavi says when I brandish my own weapon, cutting Regazza off mid-sentence. “Back to your daughter? She was promised in marriage to my brother, and she did not show at that altar. She’ll be punished for that, but we’ll grant her life if she fulfills her end of the agreement belatedly.”
“Where is she?” Regazza says. “I’ll punish her myself before you lay your hands on her.”
Tavi laughs. “Ah, no, you won’t. I’ve got her secured. I’ve been tracking her now for quite some time.”
Son of a bitch. Brilliant, ruthless son of a bitch. Romeo doesn’t register surprise. None of this is news to him.
“Take my daughter if it will get you off my back,” he says, shifting restlessly. “Fine. Take her.”
“Ah, Luigi.” Romeo shakes his head. “We’ve granted you impunity for infractions that would bring severe consequences to anyone else. I believe a thank you is in order.”
Luigi’s lips thin. “Thank you,” he says, shaking his head.
“A few conditions, before you go,” Tavi says. Regazza doesn’t bother to hide his hatred.
“You will not set foot on our property again for the remainder of your life, nor will anyone from the Regazza family.”
“Fine. A done deal.” Regazza looks bored as his eyes dart around the room. I’ve convinced myself he’s a user. I look him over and see the classic signs of an addict — persistant sniffling, scratching at his arm and tugging down his sleeves.
Angelina watches all of this with wide-eyed shock. I, on the other hand, love this plan. It is the very one I was going to propose to Romeo, and why I asked Angelina about her friend.
She’ll need time. Tavi is the one responsible for the death of Elise Regazza’s bodyguard. But we’ll spare her life in the process. And honestly, we all need time to recover from what’s happened.
As we discuss details and arrangements, staff enters the room with trays of coffee and tea. One hands Angelina a cup.
Angelina reaches for it, but she’s staring at the woman who serves it to her.
The woman turns from her and meets Regazza’s gaze. His lips tip up, a conspiratorial look if ever I’ve seen one.
It’s a fatal mistake.
As soon as his eyes meet hers, I know. They know each other. Vicious, savage fury boils in my veins. I can hardly control my voice.
“Put that down, Angelina.” She freezes with the drink to her lips. I smack it from her hands and she screams when it smashes on the bricks by the fireplace, at the very same second someone—Marialena?—screams in the hallway. Regazza wastes no time. He draws his weapon, but he’s old and unused to fighting for himself. I grab my wineglass, smash the fluted top on the coffee table, and lunge at him with the ragged glass stem.
My mother screams as Marialena runs into the room and straight to Mario. Regazza lunges for Angelina, but I swipe at his throat with my makeshift weapon. Seconds after I slice his throat, Tavi and Santo’s guns are drawn. Regazza’s grasping at his throat, scarlet blood coating his hands, gurgling for his life as they pull the triggers.
Romeo scowls but misses nothing. “Mario!” he shouts, as the woman who served Angelina her drink runs. Mario tackles her to the floor, and quickly restrains her.
Mama pours herself a scotch and shakes her head.
“Maya, it’s Maya,” Marialena says. “I found her in the pantry…”
Maya, one of the most loyal of our staff. I shake my head, but Romeo stands tall and begins to issue commands.
“Santo, secure Regazza’s body. Tavi, you have it all recorded?”
“Of course, brother,” Tavi says with a nod.
I hold Angelina to my side as Romeo looks at us. “Good call, Orlando.” He smiles at Angelina. “He saved your life, sweetheart. Remember that.”
Angelina looks up at me in shock. “She was the flight attendant. She flew me over here from Tuscany.” Even Tavi, who seems to be one step ahead of everyone else, blinks in surprise.