Page 133 of Ruthless Redemption
LAYLA
Lorenzo falls silent,the stretching bleakness making my stomach churn. He needs to say something. Anything. This quiet is torture.
“My sons,” Emmanuel’s rasped call carries from the yard. “Don’t be rude. Come outside and say hello to your father.”
Salvatore curses under his breath.
Remy stands rigid as if one wrong move will end his life.
“We will discuss this later.” Lorenzo sucks in a long breath and sighs. “For now, I need to return to my other unexpected guests.”
Matthew’s fingers tighten around mine. “Zio, this is important.”
“All the more reason to discuss it later when we won’t be interrupted.” He continues toward the door. “Come. Be civil. I’m sure we’re all familiar with biting our tongue in front of our adversaries.” He casts one last look at the weapon in Matthew’s hand, then continues outside. “Get rid of it.”
Adrenaline suffuses me, intoxicating every nerve. “What do we do?”
“For starters, you can clarify who the hell you have pegged to take over for our uncle,” Salvatore demands. “Because I’ve a sinking fucking feeling I’m the lamb being brought to the slaughter.”
Matthew shoves the gun into the back of his pants, hiding it beneath his jacket.
“Well?” Salvatore ping-pongs an aggressive look between us. “Talk.”
Matthew squares his shoulders. “It’s true.”
“Fucking Christ. You can’t be serious.”
“That’s why we’re here?” Remy’s voice drips with venom. “That’syour plan?”
I lick my painfully dry lips and start praying.
“It’s the best option,” Matthew states simply.
Salvatore balks. “For who? Because it sure as shit isn’t me.”
“Do you really think you still have the option to start fresh?” Matthew slides a protective arm around my hips. “What do you think this is? Disneyland? You don’t buy a one-day ticket then kiss this lifestyle goodbye. You’ve committed crimes. Disposed of bodies. You’ve made enemies—ones like her family.” He clings tighter to me. “You don’t get to walk away from that. Taking over from Lorenzo is the only path that gives you some semblance of freedom.”
Salvatore’s nostrils flare. He’s livid, his brow breaking out in a sweat.
“Matthew’s trying to protect you,” I say softly. “You’ll be safer with Lorenzo’s name and reputation behind you. And at least this way, you’ll be in control.”
“And what do you both get out of this?” His vehement eyes turn to me. “Apart from ruining any hopes for my future.”
“We get Emmanuel’s death,” Matthew answers. “Lorenzo has forbidden family blood to be spilled, but if he’s not in charge, he doesn’t make the rules. So you vow to take over and I convince our uncle there’s no point delaying the inevitable.”
Salvatore’s laughter is cruel. “Great. Not only am I meant to become some illustrious mafioso, but my first act of notoriety is to kill my father? That’s fucking perfect.”
“I’mkilling him. You only need to be in the position to give the order.”
“Is that meant to be comforting?” Remy asks. “Because I can assure you it doesn’t dull the edges of this fucking nightmare. We don’t know the first thing about this side of the family.”
“You’ll work it out. It won’t be easy, but at least you’ll be free.”
“Free?” Salvatore asks. “We’ll be in prison before the year is out.”
“Remy.Salvo.” Emmanuel calls again. “Outside. Now.”
My pulse wavers with the fluctuating beat of my heart. I hate his voice. I despise his existence.
