Page 85 of Beautiful Vows

Dominic doesn’t seem phased at all that his son has just admitted that. His head bobs as his eyes land on mine, and I feel the weight of the unspoken words between us.

“Are you sure you want to come to the wake?” Dominic finally asks me.

I nod firmly, meeting Dominic’s gaze. “I’m sure. I need to be there.” My voice is calm, despite the storm of emotions churning inside me.

The Hotel Palace Versailles stands opulent and gleaming as the car pulls up to the hotel. Its grandeur and golden facade is a stark contrast to the black-clad mourners filing inside.

Inside, the hotel is as opulent, with crystal chandeliers sparkling overhead and with the marble-floored lobby.

Before we can make our way to the main event room, Antonio intercepts us. His face is drawn, and the lines around his eyes are deeper than usual. He gives me a small smile before he pulls us aside.

“We need to talk.” His voice is low and urgent as he glances around the venue. “I asked my sons not to attend.” His eyes now dart between Dante and Dominic. “Things are... volatile right now. I thought it best to minimize potential conflicts.”

“Volatile? Someone tried to kill my family,” Dominic growls. “And as I’m no longer the head of this family, you’ll have to speak to Dante about how he wants to go forward.”

Dante’s hand tenses around mine.

Antonio continues, his voice dropping even lower. “There’s more. I got a call from my source. Ricardo Bianchi’s body...” He pauses, swallowing hard as he looks at me. “It washed up on the shore at Kingscliff. Mangled. It’s... it’s not pretty.”

A chill runs down my spine, but I force myself to remain outwardly calm.

Rafe’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently.

This news changes things. We thought we’d have more time before the Bianchi family would realize their family had lost their head.

“Milly’s out with Lorenzo at the casino,” I say to Antonio. “They decided not to come to the wake after what happened.”

He nods. “I’ve already spoken to my sons about taking Enzo away for a few days while we deal with the police and the Italian side of the Bianchi family, because everyone knows he isn’t ready to take over.” Antonio glances around the opulent surrounding making sure nobody is listening. “And it would be an idea for Milly to go with them until the news dies down. Considering.”

Considering her sister killed Bianchi.

He doesn’t say it, but I know it’s exactly what he means.

“I agree. We need to proceed carefully,” Dominic says. “But first we need to let that bastard know he is on borrowed time.”

I nod, steeling myself for what’s coming as we walk away from the foyer and toward the room that may be full of potential enemies.

But I’m not afraid as we step inside the event room. If anything, the news of Ricardo’s washing up on the shore only strengthens my resolve to make Eduardo pay for his crimes. I’m more determined than ever to see that justice is served, no matter the cost.

“We need to talk,” Antonio says to Eduardo.

Antonio and Dominic lead Eduardo out of the private room. Eduardo follows without a care, as do his team of bodyguards.

“Come. I want to know what they are offering him,” Dante says, taking my hand.

We follow them through a corridor and into a small room.

“Sit,” Antonio gestures at the table to Eduardo.

I watch from the door, my body tense with barely contained rage, knowing this man has just tried to kill us, yet he doesn’t give one look of surprise.

That’s stone cold killers for you.

As we reach the table, I overhear them offering Eduardo a chance to leave the Syndicate, to retire to a comfortable life in Italy. Anger courses through my veins at the very thought.

He doesn’t deserve an easy way out, not after what he did to my mother. After what he just did to us and that poor bodyguard.

“Fuck you!” Eduardo’s refusal is swift and arrogant. His eyes lock on Dante, contempt clear in his gaze. “You should have taken the arranged marriage deal,” he sneers, and in a flash, he pulls a gun on Dante.

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