Page 115 of Tainted Ties

There was only one topic of discussion that had been our focus on the business side of things, and it had started when Angelo Bianchi went into hiding.

If my uncle showing up unannounced went anything to go by, it led me to believe it was to our advantage.

“You’ve found him,” I concluded.

“Who?” Aurora asked, forehead scrunched in confusion.

Uncle Stefano ignored our questions, heading straight for the door. “I will be waiting in the sitting room. I’ve informed everyone to gather there.”

The door clicked shut, the silence drawing out.

“It’s my father, isn’t it? He’s been found?”

“I don’t know,anima mia,” I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose from the possibility.

If he was, we both knew what his fate would be.

Regardless of how much pain Aurora’s father inflicted upon her and Enzo, he was still their father.

“Aurora…”

“I know what’s to come if he’s found,” she cut in. “And I want him dead.”

The steel look in her eyes was deadly. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation or regret present in her jaded orbs.

“Very well.” Grabbing her delicate hand, I intertwined my fingers with hers and led us out of the room.

The sitting room was filled when we walked in.

Enzo, Sofia, Luca, Ricardo, Nicolai, and the others were lounging on furniture, whispering between themselves.

“Ah, they’re here,” Uncle Stefano stated, bringing everyone’s attention to us. “Let’s begin.”

Leading Aurora to a plush leather couch, I sat and brought her down on my lap.

Uncle Stefano stood in the middle of the room, his white suit free of crease and stain.

“I’ll get straight to the point as I hate dramatics.” With a clap of his hands, he announced, “Angelo Bianchi has been found.”

You could have heard a pin drop from the absolute silence that blanketed the room.

“He has been hiding in Raphael’s new nightclub. I had been waiting for a slip-up on their part to happen and it finally did. My men were posted all over Italy, and he was seen entering and leaving the club this morning.”

“Great,” Enzo spoke, sounding bored, but from the way his shoulders slumped slightly, I knew he was putting on a show. “What’s next?”

He would never forgive his father for nearly killing him, that much was clear, but it didn’t mean that the loss of his father wouldn’t hurt him.

“His death,” my uncle answered. “The club has a grand event tonight which gives us the perfect opportunity to slither in.”

“As long as someone’s dying, I’m in,” Luca said, leaning further into the couch.

“Must you always be morbid?” I watched my best friend as he took a sip of his bourbon.

“You took me as I am.”

“I regret my choices.”

“And Angelo’s fortune?” Enzo asked. “Will you continue holding that in your possession after he dies?”

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