Nicholas stands by the door, glaring daggers at Dario's back while his back is turned. He was always much more sensible, but there's no negotiating with him with Dario in the room. But he certainly doesn't seem happy about the situation.
Dario's phone dings on the coffee table between us. He checks the message, then smirks. “Your savages are hopeless. They think I took you to Uppington. What a fucking opportunity.”
I slump. With someone on the inside, how do I even have a chance? The location thing must not have worked, and now my phone's broken.
“Nicholas.” Dario turns to him. “Get some guys to rig the Temple Street warehouse to blow, pronto. The animals are coming and they need a fitting reception.”
Nicholas nods, then gets on his phone.
Dario tosses the phone back on the table and leans back in the couch with his arms spread. “Problem solved. No truce if there's no one left to make a truce with. If I needed a winning card for getting back into the Tower, that's it. No one's going to give a fuck about Papa when I can tell them the Screaming Eagles are done. I should thank your guys, really I should, but there won't be much left of them to talk to.”
No, no, no. And knowing them, they'll be the first ones in there. I resolved not to cry in front of Dario, but it's getting hard to hold it in.
“Relax, amore mio, it'll be fine. In a couple of years, this will all be a memory. You and me, we'll be doing just fine. This is fate at work, and God helps those who help themselves.”
It's like he's speaking in tongues, and my brain refuses to understand the words. The longer I have to regret it, the stupider my idea seems, and all of this is my fault. Even if I manage to find a way out now, what do I have to come home to? Izzy and I will be alone again.
Fuck.
Dario's phone rings, rattling the table. “Dario.” He frowns, but then a smirk takes over. “Send him up, but alone. I don't trust him, even if he's Family.”
Who?
“You have a visitor. Be a good girl and show him how happy you are with me, all right?”
I refuse to meet his dark eyes. “And why should I do that?” I'd spit at him if I didn't think he'd lash out again. My lip's still sore.
“Because I still have someone at the club, as I'm sure you've figured out. I would hate for something to happen to your little biker spawn.” No smirk now, just deathly serious. “A snap of my fingers, a quick text, and it will be as if it never was.”
I swallow hard, digging my fingernails into my palms to not panic. Even knowing Dario's obsession, I never thought he could take things so far. What choice do I have? “Okay. Just don't hurt her.”
“Good.” Someone knocks on the door, and Dario yells, “Let him in.”
The person who stands in the doorway is the last I'd ever have expected. “Dad!” I jump from the couch and run to hug him and bury my face in his chest. His arms come around me to hold me close.
“Alessandra. Piccola mia.” There's so much relief in his voice that I choke up. “When I heard Dario had rescued you, I had to come. I missed you.”
Rescued? Oh no. He's not going to believe I'm here voluntarily, is he? I promised Dario to pretend, but I was hoping Dad would see right through it.
“How did you know she was here?” asks Dario, and there's a dangerous edge to his question. “I haven't even told my family yet.”
If there's anything to worry about, Dad doesn't show it. He looks squarely at Dario. “A common acquaintance told me.”
Dario laughs. “That bitch is reporting to you too? I should've realized. If she'll double cross, why not triple cross?”
Bitch? Oh God. Bea? My Bea? But… that can't be true, can it? We've been friends for years. But who else could he mean? Not Emily. Crap. But it all makes sense. No wonder she's been kind of evasive. But why?
“That doesn't explain how you found us, though.” Dario's still suspicious. The Fabbris and Giordanos have never gotten along that well. This could still be more than just a social visit.
“It was the most logical. Several ways out, defensible and with a comfortable space to ride out the storm. We know more about you than you realize.” Dad says it matter-of-factly while keeping his attention on me. “Are you all right? Your lip, what happened to it?”
There's something in his expression, I don't know what, but he's trying to tell me something. I'm sure of it. Has he come to save me? But it's got to be too late for the guys, unless he can get me out of here immediately. Even then, I don't know where the Temple Street hideout is.