Page 75 of Malevolent King

“Sofia, get me a drink.” Silvio’s voice cut through the haze of my bubbling hysteria.

I poured him a drink, wishing I had something I could spike it with. Cyanide would be ideal, but I’d settle for a laxative.

I passed him a glass of wine.

“I wanted scotch.”

My smile nearly slipped as I placed the glass of wine beside Silvio.

“Is that a problem?” His smirk burned my skin, and not in a good way.

“No problem.”

I turned back to the bar along one wall. Braying laughter and crude words flew around wildly. The men at dinner were getting drunk, more than they ever dared to when my father was sitting at the head of the table.

“What about you, Sofia? I heard Antonio found a new husband for you?” a loud voice cut through the din.

I turned back to the table, painfully aware of all the eyes trained on me in my bridelike dress. Why had I worn this? “Yes, apparently. But he has to focus on recovering and getting the house in order first.” My gaze raked over Franco in the boss’s seat.

He nodded, an indulgent smile playing on his lips. “Yes,carina, he will have to sort out the mess that his illness has caused if he comes home.” He crossed himself piously, praying for the health of his brother while he clearly couldn’t wait to take his place.

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be home soon. He’s strong. I hope he’ll like what he finds when he gets here.”

I put Silvio’s glass of scotch down a little too forcefully, and the liquid seeped through the Band-Aid on my palm. It burned a little, but not too badly. I liked the reminder of Nikolai’s initial there. It stiffened my spine and helped me to keep my head high.

The men around the table went back to talking while Silvio grabbed my wrist before I could escape to the kitchen.“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I eat dinner in the kitchen on Sundays with Carmella.”

“How is the old witch? Recovering?” Silvio’s smirk grated on my nerves. He peered up at my face. “I have to say, it was satisfying seeing the mark of my hand on your face, Sofia. Why have you hidden it?”

The bruise from his hand had faded somewhat. With makeup on, it was unnoticeable.

“You want me to wash my face and tell Franco who did it?”

Silvio’s smile grew strained for a moment, and then he shrugged. “I don’t think he’d care. You might have to adjust your way of thinking quickly if you want to leave here in one piece.”

“No matter what, I’m still Franco’s niece.”

Silvio nodded. “Or you’re the daughter of a failed, overturned don. Quite the different perspective, isn’t it?”

* * *

A few hours later,I was able to sneak out of dinner. I left the room as quickly as I could, a drowning feeling in my chest. Silvio was getting too confident. Franco was acting like it was already known that my father wouldn’t be coming home. I couldn’t call Renato. He was out of reach, just like he’d warned me. Men more loyal to my father were protecting him in the hospital. I was alone.

I headed downstairs and hurried along the hall to Nikolai’s cell. I found the door slightly ajar. The urgency mounting in me made me shake. I knew in my belly that Nikolai Chernov needed to get the fuck out of Casa Nera, and now. Shit was about to hit the fan. I could feel it.

I pushed open the door to Nikolai’s cell and practically fell inside. Then I pulled up short. Angelo was in there, crouched beside Nikolai. He stood when he saw me.

“Sofia, what’s wrong?”

I stared at my big, burly bodyguard for a long moment. “It’s okay. I know you’re the one who’s helping him.”

Angelo was quiet for a long moment. A muscle ticked in his powerful jaw before he nodded.“I can’t do nothing and let her be taken from me. I won’t.”

I nodded, my heart strangely too big and too painful at the same time. “You’re a good man, Angelo. I hope it works out for you.”

“You, too, Miss Sofia.”

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