I looked at Alessandra, who shrugged.
Half a minute later, Don Rosolini walked back into the foyer.
My heart was beating so rapidly that I thought I might have a heart attack.
I half-expected him to be holding a gun.
I wassurehe would point it at me and pull the trigger –
But then he held out his hand.
In it was another roll of bills, even larger than what Alessandra had given me.
“Here,” he said.
I gasped. “Sir – I can’t – ”
He didn’t bother to argue. He just took my hand, pressed the money into my palm, and folded my fingers over it. “Go somewhere nice. Take a vacation. Try to forget… and heal.”
I was overcome with emotion and burst out sobbing.
Alessandra smiled at her husband like,I KNEW there was a reason I fell in love with you.
“Dario!” Niccolo shouted as he stomped over. “This is unbelievable! You can’t just – ”
“Do you have any money?” Don Rosolini asked.
“What?” Niccolo asked, momentarily distracted from his tirade.
“Do you have any money?” Don Rosolini repeated.
“Uh – yes, but – ”
“Give it to her.”
Niccolo stared at his brother. “Are you serious?”
“Give it to her,”Don Rosolini growled.
Niccolo stared for a second longer in shock –
Then fumed as he pulled out a wallet, took out another several thousand euros, and thrust them at me angrily.
I was too scared to take it from him –
So the Don took it instead and put it in my hand with the rest of the money.
“Che Dio ti accompagni,”he said quietly.
May God go with you.
With that, he signaled to his men, and he turned and walked out of the foyer.
Niccolo glared at me and Alessandra one last time, then followed along behind them.
Once they were gone, Alessandra exhaled loudly in relief.
I looked at her in surprise.