Page 74 of Promise Never

Huffing, I lower the weapon and nod tothe men to release the messenger.

“Grazie, signora,” the lanky mansputters before running for the gates.

I motion to one of the guards. “Followhim.”

He hurries off.

Tiana faces me, sympathy in herexpression. “I’m sorry about... It doesn’t mean he’s gone. It might not even behis—”

“It’s our family ring.” I show hermine. “And Enrique has that same tattoo on his finger.”

She sighs deeply and looks at the boxstill in my hand. “Try to calm down and check for details.”

She’s right.

I open the box again, remaining strongas I analyze the interior and Enrique’s severed finger.

“There’s no note,” I grumble.“Nothing.”

Tiana wiggles her nose while screwingup her face. “Um, aside from the blood and the scent of flesh, do you smellsomething fishy?”

I bring the box to my nose a little.Sure enough, it does have a faintsealifestench.

She covers her mouth with her hand.“Is that...”

“Crabs!” I blurt out and cut toRuni.“Gather a few men and leave the rest here toguard my mother and Tiana.” I raise my hand to stop her from arguing. “It’ssafer to stay here. I’ll call for help to check the ports.”

“Alessandro,Ican help you,”she insists.

“I won’t lose you, Tiana. Stay here.”I crush her mouth for a fervent kiss then press my forehead to hers. “You’vechanged my world so much. All I thought I knew doesn’t matter anymore.” I shakemy head in awe. “You’ve stolen my heart. Should anything happen to you, I’ddie.”

Her eyes twinkle with something akinto delight.

Three words dangle on my tongue, butI’d rather say them when I return. If things go sour today, I don’t want Tianacarrying that with the other things she regrets.

I hurry into the waiting car, leavingwithRuniand other guards following us.

Instead of my cousin, I call Vincenzo—aman who can narrow down my search. He’s a mutual asset for every family, andI’ll avoid further dwindling theFattorename bybegging Martelli for help.

This time, I’ll prove to skeptics thatwe can stand on our own and handle problematic gnats like ZenoCostantini.

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Fuck that!

TheFattoremen are too few, and I’m sure Alessandro won’t call his cousins. He’s pridefulabout his family and will go at it alone.

I run into the house and make a beelinefor the kitchen, lowering at the side of the island.

“Do not do that,” the guard whofollowed me warns in his thick Italian accent. “Ales ordered you to stay.”

Ignoring him, I trace my fingers overthe wood, searching for the secret button. I’d seen Alessandro open it forweapons before we went to the harbor.

“Come on,” I murmur, gritting myteeth.

“Signorina, you—”

“A little further down,” Sofia’s raspyvoice fills the kitchen. She waves him off.

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