Page 120 of Tainted Ties

Searching the area, Enzo was nowhere to be seen.

Only Nicolai, who had someone pinned to the floor, two knives slashing across their throat with one swipe on either side.

The sweat pouring down my face was as rapid as the thump of my heartbeat.

Wherever Luca was leading us, I hoped my brother was there too.

I expected to have heard police sirens by now, but it seemed that Stefano had also taken care of that.

It was quiet as we descended the steps to the basement.

The heavy noise of our breathing echoed through the narrow walls.

“I don’t even know why I’m wasting my time on you!”

Enzo’s voice carried up the stairs, halting me in place.

“Aurora?” Roman whispered, squeezing my hand.

“I… I—” Words failed me as I grasped the realization that I would face something I wasn’t sure I was truly ready for.

“It’s okay,anima mia. I’m here.”

A glance in his direction was enough for me to believe him.

His pure midnight eyes searched mine, calming something deep inside me.

With every shred of my existence, I knew that I would be okay, so long as he was by my side.

I nodded, squeezing his hand in return.

The voices grew louder until we reached the bottom step.

The room was brighter than the top level and more sophisticated.

Chandeliers dangled from a white ceiling, furnished with lounge cubicles and a bar at the end of the room.

Smack dab in the middle was Angelo Bianchi tied to a chair, a streak of blood dripping down his nose.

Enzo was standing before him, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his face a mixture of pure torment and anger.

The instant Angelo’s eyes landed on me, he laughed boisterously.

I flinched from the sound, mentally kicking myself for taking a step back.

“It wouldn’t have been quite a family reunion without thewhoreshowing up.”

My brother moved fast, landing a punch on Angelo, and knocking his tooth out. “Don’t fucking talk about her.” He grabbed his face. “Take your eyes off her.Right now.”

With a sneer, he spat blood on the floor in my direction and averted his eyes from me.

The energy in the room was palpable.

Heat and unreleased tension emanated from both Roman, who had a murderous aura to him and Enzo, who was two seconds away from going on a rampage.

“I’ll ask you again and this time, I expect an answer. What was your motive in killing Milo Mancini?”

Milo must have been Roman’s cousin and underboss.

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