Page 141 of Scarlet Angel

Sophia opens a drawer, pushes some buttons on an odd-looking mobile, and hands it to me. “Here you go. And you should be fine, but let me disable that mobile.”

I take the device Sophia hands me, give her mine, and head to the back of the long van. Nick catches my eye and gives a reassuring wink as I press the mobile to my ear. That small gesture helps ease some of my guilt. He understands that in the heat of the moment, even trained operatives can make mistakes. I’m as far away from the others as I can be. There are no windows back here, and I can’t see outside other than a distant view through the windshield up front, but we’re traveling at a quick clip.

Nick sits in the seat beside Sophia at the computer, and from here, it appears he’s in an intense conversation with the Americans.

Orlando doesn’t answer. It’s an unknown number, and I’ve no idea what area code shows for my number, or if it simply says unknown number.

I shoot him a message.

It’s me. Pick up.

This time, when it clicks and rings, he answers right away.

“Scarlet?” He’s mystified, understandably.

“Yes. I’m okay.”

“Oh, thank god. The blast…were you close by?”

“Closer than I’d wish. But I’m okay.”

“You’re not injured?”

“No. I’m good. How are you? I’ve been wanting to reach out, but I wasn’t sure you wanted me to.”

“Straight up, I didn’t. But, seeing the explosions…you know, there’s video of the blasts. Looks like a nuclear bomb went off.”

“It can’t have been that bad.” The ground shook sure, but nuclear?

“It didn’t mushroom, but it could’ve been a movie set. Lots of locals caught the explosion through the trees. It’s all over the news. I’m just…I immediately thought the worst, and…thank you for letting me know you’re all right.”

“How are things there?” I soften my voice, not because there are listening ears nearby, but because this has to be a difficult time for Orlando.

“I’m being sent away to boarding school. I leave this weekend.”

“Really?” It’s not unheard of for mafia kids to get shipped off to boarding school, but now he’s one of the men.

“Sixteen arrests last week. The rival mafia clans smell blood. They’ve been attacking locations under our protection. We’re spread too thin. I want to stay and fight, but Papa believes it’s only a matter of time before the Ombra come down, and…his priority is Titan Shipping. Willow was right. She always said that, and I told her she was wrong.”

Uncle Alessio built Titan Shipping from a small shipping company to a worldwide force. He served as a blood member of the Grigi, not out of desperation for funding but out of loyalty. Ironically, the fallout from the investigation may free his son of his misaligned allegiance.

“I’m relieved he’s prioritizing you. It’ll be good for you to get away from this.”

“You know, I think I understand why you did it.”

“Oh?”

“Forgiveness is hard.”

My mouth drops. “You think…” I can’t quite say the words.

“The irony is that if Papa had forced Willow into a contractual marriage, she would’ve forgiven all involved. Forgiveness is intrinsic in her nature. And it’s ironic because Papa saved her only for her to die.”

There’s no response to his warped reasoning.

“But between the two of you, I think I’m more like you, Scarlet. It’s truly hard to forgive.”

“You mean it’s hard to forgive me? You understand that the family is a criminal organization, right? They traffic drugs and murder people.”

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