Page 76 of Malevolent Secrets

I stumble back with the shock.

“No, that’s not Lorenzo’s sister. She’s Renee, my friend. She…” I trail off and shake my head. Nothing makes any sense anymore.

“She is Signora Renata, but she likes to be called Renee. She’s Lorenzo’s sister and one of the leading forces of the family.”

Except, she can’t be any of that, because she is Renee, she is just Renee.

“What has you so confused?” Maria asks and I scoff.

Confused? More like I’ve just had my world pulled out from beneath my feet, and I’ve been left to sink or swim.

“Everything.”

We sit in silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on us. My mind races with questions.

How on earth is she Lorenzo’s sister? She is supposed to be my friend from work, but I’ve just watched her kill three men without even blinking.

The minutes stretch on, each one filled with tension and fear. I can’t stop thinking about Lorenzo, wondering if he’s safe, if he’s hurt.

The fear for his safety is almost overwhelming, a stark contrast to the confusion and betrayal I feel toward Renee.

I look at Maria, trying to find some semblance of understanding. "Do you think we can trust her?"

Maria hesitates, then nods slowly. "If she’s here then it’s because Lorenzo sent her."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I hope you're right."

We wait in silence, the sounds of the shootout continuing outside. Each gunshot makes me flinch, the fear for Lorenzo and our own safety weighing heavily on my mind.

As the night drags on, the sounds of the battle gradually die down. The silence that follows is almost more terrifying.

Finally, the door opens, and Renee steps inside, her face grim but still pretty, even with the streaks of blood in her hair and on her jaw.

"It’s over," she says, her voice weary. "We’re safe for now."

I look at her, the questions burning in my mind. "Renee, you’re Lorenzo’s sister?”

She tilts her head and gives me a smile.

“I’m not joking.”

Her smile disappears and she sighs.

“I meant it when I said we have to do this later. The men who aren’t dead have run away with their tails between their legs, but I don’t know if they will be back with reinforcements. I need to get you home.”

She stretches out her hand to touch me, but I flinch and move back.

Renee sighs, running a hand through her hair. "It's a long story, Daniella. And I promise I’ll explain everything. But right now, we need to get you back to the house. It’s the safest place for you."

She helps us to our feet and we prepare to leave. Lorenzo shows up all of a sudden. He comes in and hugs me. I’m overwhelmed and everything becomes a blur. He helps us make our way out of the club. The aftermath of the shootout is evident, with broken furniture and shattered glass scattered everywhere.

My heart aches at the destruction, but I push the feeling aside. There are more pressing matters to deal with.

As we step outside, the cool night air hits me and I take a deep breath, trying to clear my mind.

Renee leads us to a waiting car, and we climb inside. The drive back to the Duretti home is silent, the weight of everything that’s happened hanging heavily in the air.

Chapter Twenty-Two

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