Page 121 of Tainted Ties

Shivers racked through my body, having put a name to the manIkilled.

“I didn’t kill anyone,” Angelo snarled. “I thoughtthatmuch was clear.”

“It’s also clear that you weren’t man enough to execute it yourself, having your daughter do it.” Stefano appeared from behind the bar, swirling the drink in his hand. “Seems like you weren’t a father either.”

My mouth gaped open at him defending me. Intense emotion swirled through me and I could have burst into tears.

“Both of my children are alive, Stefano. Where’s yours?”

With those harsh words, the air chilled, hairs rising to my exposed skin.

It was Roman who aimed his gun at Angelo, his hand shaking from unrestrained fury.

Enzo held his hand up at him. “Put your gun down, brother.”

Roman’s nostrils flared, his breathing uneven before he let out a pained growl and dropped his hand.

“Don’t think I saved you from death, Angelo,” Enzo clarified. “You will die today. And when you do, no one will care. You’re worthless in this life as you will be in the next.”

This seemed to have caused Angelo distress as he swallowed audibly. It was clear he cared for his son despite what he had done to him.

“If you hadn’t been persistent in saving that girl, I would have never shot you, Enzo.”

“Thatgirlis my sister. Your daughter!”

A disgruntled sound slipped from his lips, his displeasure evident.

Stefano swirled his drink once more, taking slow strides until he reached Angelo. “Why did you kill my son?”

Impatience wore thin as Angelo spat out, “Because he had an affair with mywife.”

Stefano’s face twisted in unbelievable shock.

I swallowed, my heart thumping against my ribcage. “He’s lying.”

I couldn’t believe what he said to be true. My mother could have never been capable of doing that.

“Am I?” Angelo asked. “When she died, I couldn’t bring myself to go through her belongings for a few years… but then one day, I did.”

His expression turned dark and wild. “There was a photo tucked deep into her jewelry box. I thought it was odd, but then I flipped it. Your mother and Milo in alovingembrace.”

My brother’s fists clenched at his sides before his eyes caught mine, forehead creasing in disbelief.

“If you don’t believe my words, you can find the photo back at the house. I kept it as a reminder that she was nothing but a whore, like her daughter.”

“I think it’s time a bullet found its home between his eyes, isn’t it?” Luca said, pulling the safety off his gun.

The reason Angelo Bianchi created a dispute between the two families was because of an affair—mymother’saffair.

“No.”

I hadn’t realized I was the one who spoke until I felt all eyes on me, whereas mine were glued to Angelo.

Everything made sense now. Angelo not only hated me because I looked like his deceased wife but also because thatsamewife cheated on him.

He made me kill Milo and then outed me to the Mancinis because he knew it would bring me torture and affliction.

But I wasn’t my mother.

---