Page 27 of Promise Maker

“That’s not all he said, Solari.” He wipes hisface with the palm of his hand. “Your father told me he didn’t want hisdaughter marrying me. He respected my father, but he wanted better for you.Sohe asked me to stay away. He asked me to swear it.”

“Let me guess,” I grunt, infuriated with him. “Youagreed.”

He turns his head. “Solari…Martelli keeps ourword.”

“That’s it then.” I start backing up. “Mydad’sgone. You have to keep all your promises to him. Eventhe one not to pursue me. That was his wish, so we’ll honor it.”

Twisting, I hug myself and stride towards thepatio doors, getting away from Domenico.

Part of me is relieved he came back after sixyears. It lets me know I wasn’t stupid for waiting. But hearing thatDadturned him down saddens me. He didn’t want us together,and my dad’s wishes mattered a great deal to me, even more so now that he’sgone.

8

I’m damn near on the verge of exploding fromfrustration as I storm across the piazza.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have said a word to Solariabout going back for her.

Maybe in time, she would have gotten over waitingand allowed me to have her. But now that I’ve spilled the truth, it seems she’smore determined than I am to keep the promise.

I glimpse my mother and father arguing in Italianby the tall plants at the edge of the piazza. She appears livid.

“You’re turning our son into a monster,” shegrates. “I see the same darkness growing in him that I saw in my father and yours.”

I halt my steps.

Father touches her cheek, but she swats his handaway. “You won’t stop until you’re both killed. I refuse to lose my son.”

“Alina,” he drones, holding her hand. “Amoremio. We only do what’s necessary to maintain power. To stayprotected. I cannot allow men to disrespect me and live.”

Mother clicks her tongue. Her eyes cut in mydirection, and the tension lessens. “Nico.”

I mosey over.

Father releases a hefty sigh before telling me, “Ireceived info about Bishop.”

“Was it Rossi and Mathew?”

He shakes his head. “Rossi isn’t involved. ButMathew is.Santediscovered that he took money fromone of Bishop’s accounts months before.”

“Bastardo.” I look down the hallway atSolari’sdoor. “Did they find him?”

“Not yet.” Father’s reply pulls back my focus. “Myold friend must have realized he had a rat in the house because he froze hisfunds days before his murder. The only one untouched isSolari’s.No one has access to his accounts besides her. Bishop’s lawyer has paperwork,including her father’s will. He’s sending everything.”

“Still nothing on who Mathew worked with on thehit?”

His shoulders droop with a profound exhale. “Notyet. How is Solari? I hear she left the room today.”

I blink away from his gaze. “I let her call herfriend. But she kept it brief.”

“You told her,” Mother realizes.

I motion towards the back of the property as Iask, “What was the intention?”

Mother leans her head to one side, a frown on herface. “I thought…perhaps you could connect. You seemed so fascinated with herall this time.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I grumble. “I promised Bishopnot to pursue her.”

“But you also promised to keep her safe,” Motherreminds. “Protecting her could include—”

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