Page 73 of Promise Never

“Who’s that from?” Tiana asks, voiceraspy from just waking up.

“Zeno,”Runigrates. “A messenger brought it.”

A chilling air shrouds the room.

“What is it?” I’m sure he must havealready checked if he appears so troubled.

Runiflicks to my mother briefly and peers down.

My heart rate increases as I stepforward and take the box from his hand, delaying to look inside.

Tiana draws closer, curious.

After a hard swallow, I open the box, flinchingfrom a sudden jolt the second I see its content.

Tiana gasps and holds my arm as if tocomfort me.

Anger boils in my veins the longer Istare at the bloodied finger with the familiar tattoo andFattorering. It belongs to my brother.

“Fuck,” I grunt and wipe my faceroughly. “Sothis is Zeno’s final act. Bastardo!”

“What is it?” Mother asks. “Let mesee.”

I quickly cover the box.

Tiana steers her to the other side of theliving room. “Don’t, Sofia. You shouldn’t look.”

“What...” Mother starts to sob. “Dio...Enrique... How did Zeno get ahold of him?”

I twist to look at her. “Did Vito knowyou had someone watching Enrique?”

She scrunches up her face as if havinga migraine. “That swine must have gone through the office, found a papertrail.” She harrumphs and touches her chest. “Hetoldhis son everything. Now he has Enrique….” Her voice cracks, and fresh tearspool in her eyes.

Tiana attempts to calm her by rubbingher arm.

A surge of rage I’d never felt beforeconsumes my body. I pivot back toRuni, asking, “Themessenger?”

He motions to the front doors as hespeaks. “The man is outside. He said ZenoCostantinipaid him to deliver it.”

I retrieve a gun from the coat closetand head outside.

The messenger staggers back in fear,almost tripping over his feet when I bustle down the steps towards him.

My guards seize both his arms and holdhim in place.

I point the gun between his eyes. “Doyou work for Zeno?”

“No-no, signor!” he insists, voiceshaky. “I deliver goods. That’s all. He paid me to bring that box.”

“Dov'èlui?” I bark. “Where did you see him?”

“At the back of Carlito’s club.Please, signor. Please don’t kill me. I beg you.”

“Alessandro.” Tiana’s voice brings mea bit of calm. She hastens to my side. “Look at him. He’s scared shitless. Lethim go.”

I hiss. “It could be an act.”

“It’s not.” She touches my arm that’sholding the gun, saying softly, “Come on.”

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