Stefano tightened his hold on her for a moment and then jerked his head toward the door. Vittorio got up, starting to remove the IV from his arm. Mariko came out of the shadows and did it for him, using a much gentler technique than he would have. She remained behind, watching over Val while Stefano led Emme out of the room.
Emmanuelle felt a little like she might be going to her doom. She kept her chin up while she explained to both brothers about how each time she was near Val, and their shadows touched, those little ropes insisted on tying themselves around her shadow, binding her to him, almost as if she was a prisoner. She’d learned to be careful, but the pull between them was so strong that often she didn’t pay as much attention as she should.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Stefano demanded.
“I tried to tell you,” Emme said. “Often, especially when it first happened. I was terrified. Every time I brought up Val, you were furious, Stefano. You yelled at me before I could find the right words to describe what was happening. I tried over and over to tell all of you that I couldn’t stay away from him, but you acted like I was some helpless female caught up in him because he was hot. No one would take the time to listen to me. Eventually, I’ll admit, I gave up. More, I didn’t want to say anything because I knew I was in love with him and I was afraid of what you’d do. It only just occurred to me that maybe Dario saw something in Nicoletta like Taviano did. Is that possible, Stefano? Can the Saldis bind a rider to them differently, but still bind them?”
Stefano and Vittorio exchanged a long look. Stefano put his arm around her shoulders. “I don’t know, honey. I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’d have to ask a council member. I can ask Alfieri without going into details. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, but you know you should have told us.”
Alfieri Ferraro was a distant cousin from Sicily who sat on the International Council of Shadow Riders. He would know, or have access to those who would know, the answer to the question if anyone would. The feud between the Saldis and the Ferraros had started because the Saldis had taken offense when the Ferraros refused to align themselves when asked. They had openly opposed the Saldis and had helped others against them. In the end, the Saldis had made a concentrated effort to wipe them out, every man, woman and child, to stamp out the very existence of the Ferraros. Few other than the shadow riders had escaped, dispersing across the world, vowing to come back stronger to find a way to prevent a massacre from ever happening again.
Emme nodded. Stefano was right, especially if it proved that the Saldis could bind female riders to them for some purpose and Nicoletta and Grace had been unknowingly in danger. Her phone vibrated, and she yanked it out quickly, saw the text and groaned.
“Eloisa just drove up with Henry. Great. That’s all I need. I’m going back in the room with Val. I can’t face her right now, Stefano.”
“She came to help defend him and Giuseppi,” Stefano reminded. “No matter what she says or does, she is famiglia, and when push comes to shove, she will fight at our side.”
That was true, but Emmanuelle didn’t want her there.
CHAPTER THREE
Eloisa walked through the door, Henry right behind her. Emmanuelle tried not to stare at her normally elegant mother. Tonight, Eloisa wore dark trousers with slashes of gray through them. A wide belt held multiple loops. Hanging from those loops were so many kinds of weapons, but each was encased in something that prevented them from knocking against one another, so they remained silent.
She had on a black-and-gray top with long sleeves that clung to her body like a glove. Across her front diagonally was a strap holding multiple weapons. Around her neck was a black scarf that looked as if it might actually be a hood. Behind her, Henry was dressed and armed similarly.
“Eloisa, Henry,” Stefano said. “It’s good that you came. “Giuseppi is unharmed, but Dario and Valentino are both in bad shape. They’ve been investigating a human trafficking ring these last couple of years, certain Miceli was behind it, and unfortunately, they were right. He’s been bringing in teenage girls and auctioning them off to the highest bidders. Giuseppi tried to shut it down, and Miceli turned on him. Valentino fought off an army so Dario could get the old man out alive. That’s it in a nutshell, but we expect Miceli to try to finish them.”
Eloisa nodded briskly. “Does Giuseppi have anyone he can count on?”