Page 59 of The Last Vendetta

“You thought what?” I asked, holding on tightly. I had no right to seek comfort from his touch, but it was impossible to resist.

“That someone might have wanted to stop the Bernardi name from aligning with the Romanos.”

I shook my head. “But that would have only worked if they’d killed Luka before the wedding.”

He sighed. “I know. Which is why it doesn’t make sense. And if that was the motive, your Family would stand to act on that motivation.”

“My father didn’t kill Luka.”

“I know.”

And he did. I could tell he hated to admit it, but the timing didn’t add up. My parents had been outside looking for me when the poison had to have been slipped in Luka’s drink. I’d considered the possibility of the poison being administered in his drink sooner, but it seemed unlikely. With all the drinks being ordered and given out, the killer would’ve had to ensure it was going only to Luka to get the desired result.

Before we could discuss it any further, my phone rang. I debated picking up when I saw it was my mother, but she would only continue to call me.

She was the enemy now, and it seemed prudent to keep an eye on her, keeping my enemies close and all. Once I spoke with her, I’d block her number.

“Hello?” I answered on speaker. If Renzo trusted me enough to let me listen in to a call with his father, I could return the courtesy.

“What the hell are you doing?”

I didn’t reply. I stared at the phone, waiting for her to tell me what she knew. If she had a reason to call and ask me that, she had to be aware that I was, in fact, up to something. I’d disabled the tracking on my phone, so for all she could guess, I was in my room at home.

“I just received word that the Ornos Family reported casualties in a fight where you were spotted.”

I rolled my eyes and slumped back in my seat. The flames from those burning cars would’ve been impossible to miss. Renzo’s speeding car would’ve been noticed too. We’d been made, and I couldn’t be mad about the fact. It was inevitable in any high-speed race.

“What do you want?”

“With Renzo Bernardi? That’s who they suspect you’re with. Are you fucking insane?”

Renzo’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

“What the hell are you thinking?”

“What do you want?” I repeated. I wouldn’t confirm nor deny that I was with him.

“I want to know what the hell you think you’re doing.”

“I don’t owe you answers.”

“Oh, you don’t?” she sassed back.

“This is the last time I’ll ask. What do you want?”

“So long as you are the unmarried eldest daughter of the Acardi Family, you will answer to me. You will listen to what I say.”

I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, not replying. She always caved to the silent treatment. Always.

“Are you running away? Are you?”

“No.” Not yet.

“Really. Because that’s what it looks like to me. Are you running away with a Bernardi, of all people?”

“No,” I repeated. I wished I could. The idea of taking off with Renzo—for good—sounded like a dream coming true. He didn’t want to use me. He only wanted to show me how good it felt with him when we caved to the pressure of this sizzling attraction that bonded us.

“Think again, Giulia,” she warned. “That’s what people are going to say, that you’re running away with Renzo Bernardi because you don’t want to marry who I arranged for you.”

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