Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Enzo.
He looks exhausted, broken, and so very angry, I feel it coming through the screen.
When he stops walking and shakes his head, Uncle Damiano grabs hold of his bicep and says something to him that makes the frown lines cut deeper into Enzo’s face.
I lean even closer, and not thinking, I press my hands to the screen as I stare into Enzo’s eyes. Seeing the unbearable pain he’s in makes silent tears roll down my cheeks.
I’m here, Enzo. Feel me.
He walks toward the door with Uncle Damiano right beside him, and only when he disappears from my sight do I look at the other people.
Augusto and Yuki. The heads of the other mafias. Georgi, Nina, and Simi.
I can’t take in everything fast enough.
Christiano looks haggard, and Sienna and Raya hold each other’s hands as they follow him inside.
Uncle Renzo, Uncle Franco, and Uncle Angelo linger outside, shaking their heads every few seconds.
They’re the last to go inside, then all of a sudden, people start coming out again.
“We couldn’t get inside to record the service,” Danil says.
“Quiet!” I snap, unable to tear my eyes away from the screen.
This might be the last time I see my family.
Everyone, except my parents, Gianna, and Enzo, stands in groups at the front of the cathedral, and I know it’s because they’re done listening to the message I had for them.
Suddenly, Gianna darts out through the doors and practically flies into Riccardo’s arms while sobbing so hard her shoulders jerk.
Mom and Dad follow, looking like they’ve just been put through hell.
Shit. I should’ve never made that goodbye recording.
God, I wish I could reach through the screens. Instead, I have to settle for brushing my fingertips over their haggard faces.
I’m so sorry.
Some of the family get into their cars and begin to leave. Aunt Gabriella helps my parents into their sedan while Uncle Damiano stands near the doors, looking into the cathedral.
He’s waiting for Enzo, who’s probably listening to my message for him.
Suddenly, Uncle Damiano runs inside, and my hands fly up to cover my mouth, the chains rattling.
Some of the remaining family glance at the doorway, and when Enzo comes running out and I see the tears on his face, my legs go numb, and I sink down on the chair.
Uncle Damiano grabs hold of him, but Enzo slips out of his suit jacket and gets away, his features cut into hard, agony-filled lines.
He shouts something, and it has Christiano and Adriano move in on him.
“That’s the man you love, right?” Danil asks. “My men say he lost his mind. Made a big scene.”
“Shut up!” I scream, my gaze still glued to Enzo as he fights against his brother and Adriano. Uncle Damiano locks his arms around Enzo, and when they all wrestle him onto the grass, a sob bursts from me, and I cry, “I’m here!”
Enzo lies on his back and presses his palms to his eyes. That’s when I see his hands, and something deep in my soul breaks.
The skin over his knuckles is split and uneven, swollen around the joints, with dark scabs covering cuts. Faded bruises are on the backs of his hands, and thin pink scars cut through the rough skin.
Oh. My. God!
The cuffs of his dress shirt have ridden up, exposing his wrists, and my eyes lock on the burn marks. Tight patches of pink and light brown skin stretch from the backs of his hands to his wrists. Scratches disappear beneath his sleeves, some deep enough to have left red lines behind.
Enzo. What happened to you?
My stomach twists as I stare at how badly injured his hands and wrists are, then suddenly the screens go black.
“No!” My head snaps to Danil. “Put it back on.”
“That’s all you get,” he says, grinning at me.
“No!” Desperation floods me because I wasn’t ready for it to end. “Put it on again.”
He shakes his head. “It’s time for you to get to work, Miss La Rosa. I just wanted you to see that your family isn’t looking for you and has said their final goodbyes.” He gestures at the chair. “Sit down.”
My eyes dart between the screens and Danil, and even though I want to lose my everloving mind and attack him, knowing I’m being given access to the system has me shakily taking a seat.
“Listen carefully because I’ll only explain it once.”
Kirill types something, and information pours over the monitors, some showing blurred images.
“You will search through the dark web for hidden forums and invitation-only circles,” Danil orders, his tone calm enough to make my stomach churn. “We are not interested in petty criminals, Miss La Rosa. We are looking for monsters with money, influence, families, and reputations they cannot afford to lose.”
My fingers curl into my palms.
Shit.
He leans closer, his voice dropping. “You will find people who pay to watch children suffer, who arrange parties where the humans are hunted, tortured, and broken. I want you to find the most depraved who think their wealth makes them untouchable.”