He lifts her hand and kisses it in a public show of affection, and I’m horrified when she looks at him and smiles lovingly.
“I love you darling.”
She smiles sweetly and just hearing her soft voice again drives a knife through my heart. Massimo visibly relaxes and twists her long black hair in his fingers and sighs with pleasure.
“I am such a lucky man. My wife is an angel sent to me from God. She is the only one who can calm my temper and…” He breaks off. “Oh, I forgot that you two have already met.”
I don’t miss the cunning gleam in his eyes he says to her, “Isn’t Flynn one of your brother’s friends, darling? I’m certain you all shared a house at Rockwell Academy. Well, this is nice? Two friends meeting up at last.”
As I stare in shock, Winter turns her attention to me, and I’m not even sure she is looking at me at all as she says in a stilted voice. “Flynn was my brother’s friend. We rarely spoke.”
For some reason, I can tell it’s important that I back her up and I nod. “It’s true. I kept my distance because Angelo told us to. Winter lived with her friend Emma at the top of the house, and we never mixed.”
Massimo’s eyes flash as he stares between us and then snarls, “That aside. Where is your… well, where is Wesley now?”
“I told you, chained up and awaiting his fate. Either by your hand or mine.”
Massimo looks at me with approval for the first time and nods. Then he looks across at Louisa and smiles. “You did well, my dear, bringing this to my attention and have no fear, I won’t be telling your father of your visit. In fact, I doubt I’ll ever speak to him again.” He sighs heavily. “It’s such a shame when families are torn apart, isn’t that right, Winter?”
If he is looking for a reaction, he doesn’t get one as she merely nods, saying in her perfectly controlled voice. “Such a shame.”
Massimo sighs loudly. “My own wife can’t bear to be around her brother. I have tried so many times to bring them together, but she is so reliant on me she can’t bear to be away from me for a second. Isn’t that right, my darling?”
“Yes, my darling.” Winter looks at Massimo as if he is her one true love and I feel sick to my stomach. Something isn’t right and then Massimo says in a voice laced with pure evil.
“I will take delivery of Wesley later tonight. I thank you for bringing this matter to my attention and before we bring this to a conclusion, I would like to know just one thing.”
“Of course.” I already know what’s coming, and I was right, as he says with a slight break to his voice.
“Have you discovered my daughter’s whereabouts?”
I almost laugh out loud because as if I would tell him if I did.
Instead, I shake my head and pretend to be upset.
“I’m sorry, I don’t. Perhaps Iris Young will be more forthcoming to you. I’m afraid our conversation was interrupted before she could reveal where she went.”
Massimo nods and I’m guessing Iris is about to get a visit outside of normal hours and I’m not surprised when he stands and helps Winter to her feet before saying, “Please forgive my rudeness, but we have much to arrange. I would be honored if you enjoyed your meal at my expense and I will enjoy many years of loyal service from you, Flynn. You did the right thing in bringing this to my attention and Louisa…” He turns and fixes her with a soft smile. “You can always come to me if you need anything. I am your humble servant.”
Louisa says gruffly, “Thank you, um, uncle.”
As they head from the room, I’m not surprised when the other diners stand and follow them, revealing I was right about their identity. As we sit alone in the emptied restaurant, Louisa breathes a huge sigh of relief.
“What the fuck? I’ve never been so scared in my life, and someone has got to help that poor woman. There’s something seriously wrong there.”
I nod, my heart twisting in pain as I witnessed first-hand Winter’s suffering. I’m not sure if we can wait for the plan to work out because something is telling me she doesn’t have long.