Page 35 of Mafia Don's Secret Twins

He looks away. “Given that Benicio Souza is who he is, I approached the situation with the utmost care. In exchange for international police protection for Marisol and her children, I offered to become a witness for Interpol against the Irish.”

You can practically hear Elio’s brain start to melt.

A string of curses in Italian flows out of him so quickly, even I am kind of impressed. Caterina drifts over to him, patting him gently on the hand. It doesn’t really seem to help.

The whole scene would be kind of comical, if I wasn’t also certain that Elio is already plotting a thousand ways to have Marco killed quickly after he’s done.

I exchange a look with Caterina, who is still saying soothing things to Elio, and gently rubbing his arm. Elio’s redder than a tomato, so I’m not entirely certain it’s working. The room isdead silent except for his breath, which is sawing in and out of his lungs, making him sound like a bull.

I guess I’ll defend Marco, if Elio tries to throttle him. But I think Sal would probably, like a traitor, back Elio up. I’m going through the mental calculations of whether I could beat Sal and Elio together when Elio finally murmurs something to Caterina, and shakes his head. He takes one more deep, wheezing breath.

Finally, he looks up at Marco. “So why the fuck are you here then? Here to find more of our secrets so you can sell them?”

Marco’s eyebrows shoot up. “I heard that my nieces were on the run from their ruthless grandfather, who sent his best and most terrifying assassin after them. There are also some…” his voice trails off, and he glances to the side. “Complications with the bargain,” he finishes.

I narrow my eyes. “Complications?”

“There are other actors at play, and Interpol is not immune to the influence from dirty cops,” he says darkly.

A fissure of concern races down my spine. “Are the girls in danger?” I growl.

“Not if they’re here,” Elio rumbles.

I settle slightly at that. I know that Elio wouldn’t let anything happen to his family, so mine being here puts at least a little umbrella of protection over them.

Until it doesn’t.

I squint at him. He better fucking mean it.

Or there’s going to be hell to pay.

“Benicio Souza has never taken an interest in his grandchildren, for whatever reason. Marisol, however, is clearly his favorite daughter, and favorite child among the horde of bastards that he’s sired over the years,” Marco continues. “So, when he announced that he’s ready to marry off his favorite child, you can imagine the impact on the international community.”

My insides feel like they’re seizing up. “Marisol isn’t going to marry anyone,” I growl at him. “She’s fuckingmine.”

“Except she very much is not,” Marco responds. “And while she’s here…”

“She’s gone,” Gia interrupts. We all shuffle to look at her. “She’s gone,” Gia announces again and I think she’s repeating it for my sake, my jaw works, my chest tightens, fuck! “Left a while ago.”

“Do we know if Moretti found her?” Marco asks.

I growl again at the thought of that psycho coming close to my Marisol.

“One can assume. Moretti isn’t exactly easy to find unless he wants to be found. And,” Gia adds softly, “Marisol was highly motivated to leave.”

I feel the weight of everyone’s stares as they turn to look at me.

I bristle. “I don’t fucking care,” I bark. “She’s mine. She doesn’t belong to him, or to them?—”

“She doesn’t belong to anyone, Dino,” Marco cuts me off. “But she does get to choose the future that she wants.”

I narrow my eyes. “She would never choose him.” She would never choose anyone other than me.

“I think she made that choice already,” Caterina says softly.

Caterina looks at me with so much sadness, I feel the truth of her statement echo into my bones.

Gone.

---