Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Dad wrapped an arm around my back, supporting my weight as he helped me stand. For a moment my vision became black. “Come on, Amo. We need to get you dressed.”
I gave a terse nod. Dad was right. The situation was too volatile to stay on Camorra land. I put on my boxers and pants slowly while Dad got out of his jacket so I could put it on instead of my ruined shirt. Most of my torso was wrapped in bandages anyway so I was only half naked. He led me out of the room. Romero was waiting for us in front of the door and scanned my body briefly, his jaw twitching. I wasn’t surprised Dad had chosen him and not Matteo. Romero was a calm, controlled man. “Our doctors are waiting for you in the private jet.”
I gave him a tight smile. Remo, Nino and Fabiano kept their distance as they watched us. Any word we shared now would probably only make the situation worse. Fabiano shook his head, obviously annoyed by my actions. Maybe he had forgotten that Nevio had pulled his knife? When Dad and I reached the middle of the room, my eyes were drawn to movement. A door opened and Greta stood there, her doe eyes wide and forlorn. My stomach dropped, my body flooding with such intense longing my knees almost buckled.
Behind her I could see Nevio in a hospital bed and his mother beside him. His expression showed not a hint of guilt. He would stab me again if he got the chance.
Then I caught Greta’s gaze again and she took a step toward me, her face filling with regret. “I’m sorry you got hurt. I hope you’ll heal quickly.”
Remo went over to her, touching her shoulder. “Don’t overstay your welcome.”
Dad’s hand on my shoulder tightened. If it was because of what Remo had said or because he wanted to turn my attention away from Greta, I wasn’t sure.
Greta turned around, taking the decision from me, and went back to her brother’s bed where she sank down and held his hand. Her eyes said goodbye. It cost me everything to keep my face straight. She made her choice and I had to accept it. Maybe it was better this way. Our family had taken a big hit when Marcella had picked Maddox. If I brought war over the Famiglia because of Greta and dropped Cressida, the Traditionalists would revolt.
My life belonged to the Famiglia. Now and for always.
My chest felt dark and hollow when I watched Amo and his father leave. This felt like a definite goodbye.
“You’re better off without someone like him. The fucking audacity of him to think you’d ever consider being with him,” Nevio muttered, his lips thinning in pain.
“Nevio,” Mom said in warning. “You need to rest, and this is Greta’s personal business.”
Nevio scoffed. “Personal business. Vitiello overstepped his boundaries. Greta isn’t interested in him but because of his huge ego he can’t see it.”
Mom glanced at me and I looked away.
“Right?” Nevio said. He leaned forward with a grunt and touched my arm. “Tell Mom.”
I raised my eyes, and he let out a derisive laugh. “Come on, Greta.”
“I don’t owe you an explanation,” I said simply, rising to my feet. “What you did was wrong. And I’m mad at you.”
Nevio regarded me in utter confusion. “I protected you.”
“From what?”
“He had his paws all over you and he was going to kiss you against your will.”
“It wasn’t against my will and it wouldn’t have been our first kiss. We kissed before.”
Nevio stared at me as if he couldn’t comprehend a single word out of my mouth. Maybe it was really impossible for him to grasp the concept of me having feelings for someone outside of our family.
Nevio swung his legs out of bed even as the color drained from his skin and pushed to his feet. “You chose him?”
“I obviously didn’t choose him. I’m here.”
Nevio glanced at something behind me and I followed his gaze toward Dad and Nino in the doorway. Dad’s expression was a mask of rage.
“Dad, we must stop this ridiculous truce with the Famiglia. It’s time for war. The Vitiellos are becoming too sure of themselves. It’s time to show them their place.”
“You only want a chance to kill Amo!” I whispered.
“Of course. You’re obviously not capable of seeing what kind of guy he is, but I know his sort, and I won’t allow him to ruin your life.”
“It’s none of your business!” I growled, causing Nevio’s eyes to widen in shock. I’d never raised my voice against him. “And you won’t kill him, or I’ll never speak a single word with you.”
Nevio’s face became a mask of nothingness. “You would never do that.”
“Don’t test my limits, Nevio,” I said quietly. “Please.”
He exchanged a look with Dad then he shook his head with a sigh. He cast his eyes up, looking tortured. “I won’t kill him if that’s what you want.”