Page 55 of Tainted Love

Relief is like a balm to my battered body and soul. I don’t care what happens now, as long as I’m no longer tied to him. I don’t feel even the slightest little bit of apprehension about the future. In fact, on the inside, I’m having a party.

This is what it feels like to be free of the kind of black tyranny that makes someone decide death is preferable to living with a snake.

The Don mutters under his breath but accepts his son’s judgment. A judgment that is backed up by several irrefutable facts, thank God!

Even Therese tuts quietly under her breath and rolls her eyes at him. Neither of them appears overly distressed by their brother’s death. Therese is stoic, while Don Salvatore appears more angry than distraught.

“It could have been anybody,” Mika continues. “I already told you, father. Vito’s been out of control. He’s been moving on other territories behind our back. Siccing the feds on us with that ridiculous vendetta that saw him abducting the Duke of Buckingham’s fiancée in the UK, and murdering a woman associated with one of the heads of the Irish mob.”

Orla.

“Never mind kidnapping their goddamn sister! I told you he was a liability. Looks like he finally got his comeuppance.”

“Did you see anything, woman?” The Don pokes at me, causing a pained yelp to tumble from my lips, and although the medical entourage says nothing about his treatment, Therese shoos him away.

“You won’t get any information by frightening the poor girl to death,” she admonishes. I doubt there are many people who have either the strength or the nerve to stand up to the Don like this. I might find this new insight into the family dynamic interesting if my brain wasn’t so addled.

Nevertheless, I see Don Salvatore’s eyes narrow and hurry to speak, a fierce desire to protect this woman who stood up for me against his wrath.

“Th-there was someone…” I croak, my voice raspy and almost inaudible.

Therese whirls around and fetches a glass of water with a straw, holding it to my lips so I can take a few welcome sips to ease my throat.

“Who was it?” Salvatore demands, his fists clenching open and closed by his sides.

“I-I don’t know…” I gasp. Knowing that’s not going to be good enough for him, I’m quick to continue. “It was a-a woman. She wore a red d-dress and her heels tapped on the floor. She had a gun… with a silencer, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before.”

Salvatore’s scowl grew fiercer than ever. “How the hell did anyone get past security?” he growls, shaking his head so his heavy jowls wobble.

“Seriously?” Mika replies, a sneer in his voice. “Knowing Vito, it was probably some hooker he invited over.”

“Mika!” Therese admonishes, a hint of censure in her voice that I guess is for my benefit since I was engaged to him… like I didn’t already know what kind of pig her brother had been. He once fucked a hooker while forcing me to watch. The purpose was supposed to be my humiliation, but I’d just been relieved it wasn’t me.

Clearly, Mika thought the same. “Let’s not pretend Vito was a freaking saint,” he retorts. “That really won’t help us find out the truth.”

“Check through all the video footage,” the Don orders, and Mika nods his agreement.

“I’ll do it personally,” he reassures his father. “You’re right; we need to get to the bottom of this and ensure the compound hasn’t been compromised.”

“What about the girl?” The senior Rossi waves his hand in my direction, talking about me like I’m not there. I hold my breath, careful not to do anything that might mean I’m forced to stay here a moment longer than necessary.

“I’ll take care of her,” Therese chimes in, surprising me with her consideration. But then, I’m a similar age to her own daughters. Perhaps all this strikes a little too close to home for her.

I’m grateful for the intervention. I know Therese is genuine in her succor. But as soon as I’m fit enough, I plan to take my fate into my own hands.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

MARICELA

Three weeks later, my broken arm in a cast and my meager belongings in a single, small valise, I walk out of the Cosa Nostra compound a free woman.

I’m offered transport, which I decline. One, because I have no idea where I’m going. And two, because as good as Therese has been to me over the past few weeks, I don’t want anyone from this place knowing where I am.

I’ve agreed to a $50,000 pay-off, something I didn’t expect and didn’t want. It was offered to me by Therese, apparently on Mika’s behalf. My initial reaction was to refuse what basically amounted to blood money, even though the blood spilled was mine, and I’m still alive.

Thankfully, Therese talked some sense into me, and when I thought about it, I decided I had earned every penny of that money. And as Therese had pointed out, I needed it to give myself a chance to start a new life without being beholden to anyone else. Especially since I’m in no fit state to get a job with my broken arm.

And I have another niggling worry. One I haven’t breathed a word of to anyone - but I’ll deal with that later.

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