I note the very second Agnesia realizes the gig is up and we all know the truth. The aloof façade fades as her eyes widen with fear.
“He made me do it, Salvatore!” Agnesia says, pointing a shaking finger at Cristiano.
“Is that right?” I shiver at the coldness in Salvatore’s tone. “Do tell.”
“Youbitch.” Cristiano’s eyes shoot daggers at her. “We had a deal. A promise!”
Salvatore raises his hand to strike Cristiano. Agnesia takes her chance and lunges atme.I’m taken so off guard I don’t expect it. Though she’s slight, she’s vicious. I fall to the floor with a cry and throw my hands up to deflect a blow. A shot rings out. She falls beside me heavily, shot straight through the heart. I blink, shocked to see Mario’s gun pointed at her. A slim knife falls from her fingers.
Cristiano takes the opportunity to try to run. Salvatore trips him. He falls beside Agnesia, grabs her knife, and swings himself toward me. I reach for my gun, but it’s too late. Salvatore’s already thrown himself on top of me. Cristiano stabs his chest.
“Salvatore! No!”
Romeo steps toward us, gun raised, and in seconds puts three bullets through Cristiano’s head. With cold calculation, he turns to Agnesia and finishes the job.
The weight of Salvatore’s body on mine terrifies me. My hands are stained with red.
“Somebody help!” I scream, but the theater is sound-proofed and nobody hears me. I push myself to my feet and run to the door. I yank it open and scream for the staff. “Come quickly! Salvatore’s been hurt!”
Hurt trying to save me becauseof course.
“I’m fine,” he groans, rolling over. “Jesus, woman, relax.” He gives me a faint grin. “Get the damn doc to wrap me up so we don’t miss the dessert table.”
“Salvatore,” I breathe, tears blurring my vision. My throat feels clogged. I gingerly move his jacket and yank open the buttons of his shirt to find the knife has only grazed his skin. “Ugh. Men! Honest to God!”
Salvatore shakes his head. “God, Cristiano was a fucking pussy to the end.”
I laugh through tears. “That he was.”
Salvatore’s men pour into the room and take in the scene. “Get me a doc, and get rid of these bodies. These two betrayed me. I have evidence I’ll share later. The Rossis are innocent.” He repeats what he’s said as his men look on. Within minutes, everyone’s run to do his bidding. As Don, he owes no one an explanation, but if I know him, he’ll tell them everything.
I’m not surprised they have a house doctor like we do, who quickly tends Salvatore’s wounds and doesn’t even look at the dead bodies on the floor.
Federico brings him another set of clothes. I help him change.
“Rossi.”
Romeo kneels on one knee beside him.
Salvatore extends his hand. “I think it’s safe to say we’re even, brother.”
Romeo shakes his head. “I’m sorry you caught the worst of it,” he says with a sigh. “But yeah, man. Let’s call this a draw.”
I swipe at my eyes thatwillwater despite my greatest efforts. “I love both of you crazy idiots.”
My husband’s pale and a bit shaky but he hides it well.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask him as I help him change into clean clothing.
“Of course,” he says with an eye roll. “I’ve cut myself worse shaving.”
I watch his strong, masculine fingers fastening his cuff link and reach for his hand. I kiss his palm, then each of his fingers, one by one.
“We can make this work, Salvatore. I know we can.” I close my eyes to stop myself from crying. We’ve had enough drama for one evening already.
I watch as Salvatore stills, his fingers still grazing the gilded edge of his cuff link. “C’mere,” he says in a husky voice, drawing me to him. I brace myself so I don’t press against his injured side, but it’s useless as he crushes me against him, his fingers tangled in my hair.
“Youwillpersist in mussing up my hair and makeup, won’t you?” I tsk under my breath. “Men!”