Page 146 of The Best of Us

I finally returned his hug, burying my face at the side of his neck like I was only sixteen. “Ti perdono, Pap´a. I forgive you.”

Chapter48

Juliette

“I knowyou plan to talk to your attorney about hiding the fact his son hit your granddaughter, but do me a favor, and let me have a word with him first.” Constantine’s voice was low and measured as he spoke with Giuseppe. “I have a few things to say to him myself.”

That was all the more reason to change schools, knowing Giuseppe’s granddaughter and his lawyer’s son went there as well.

No wonder Zach’s dad was so anxious to keep what happened from getting out to the public, especially to the police.

Full circle. No. Scratch that.Our lives were all starting to feel more interconnected than one loop. It was more like we were at the intersection point of an infinity symbol.

Everything had lined up in such a perfect way that this had to be God’s doing, and that gave me hope. Gave me confidence everything would truly be okay.

I blinked my way up Constantine’s long denim-clad legs, over his black T-shirt, and on up to his stern expression as he switched to Italian while talking to Giuseppe, now leaving me in the dark.

I glanced around the living room, checking for everyone else’s reaction since most were presumably fluent in Italian.

Alessandro and Enzo were near Constantine, their reactions impartial as they listened. Both were still armed, weapons holstered at their sides. Like Constantine, they carried themselves with power and authority. All of them radiated warrior vibes.

When Constantine silenced the speakerphone, ending the call and handing the phone back to his father, I couldn’t help myself. I struck my palms together twice, an awkward clap breaking the silence. “So, what’d he say?”

Constantine exchanged a quick look with Hudson, who stood beside his wife. When their eyes met, the slight drop in his shoulders sent unease skittering through me.

I doubted Hudson knew Italian, which meant he was probably as clueless as Colin and me about the conversation that had just taken place. And since Izzy was born here, unlike her brothers, how much did she understand?

Constantine’s gleaming eyes moved to me, giving me his focus as if it were only the two of us in the room. “Giuseppe knew more than he let on when we spoke earlier.”

“And?” I prompted, my anxiety speaking for me as it had the annoying habit of doing.

“He told me the real reason he agreed to allow Tommaso to go to that meeting with Jamie and Daniel at the rave.” His gaze cut briefly to his parents who were sitting next to Colin on the sofa. “A crime syndicate in Naples called in a debt to be paid. They didn’t tell Giuseppe why they needed his help, but they named-drop The League. Giuseppe was told his debt to them would be paid if he took the meeting with the Irish and helped them out however they needed.”

“By holding me hostage,” Colin said under his breath.

“Wait,Naples?” Izzy’s eyes went wide. “You don’t mean?—”

“No, notthem.” With a dismissive hand wave, Constantine shut down whatever Izzy was about to ask.

Well, that answered my question about her fluency in Italian. It was clearly not at the same level as the rest of her family.

I couldn’t help but notice the strange look passing between Constantine and his father as Salvatore stroked his beard, seemingly unnerved by something.

Well, I supposed there were a lot ofsomethingsto be upset about. At this point, too many to count.

“Tommaso never heard Jamie and Daniel’s offer since I showed up at the rave for Colin. Giuseppe let themafiosiin Naples know the deal was null-and-void due to my involvement.” Constantine impressively kept his tone matter of fact as I’d heard him do so many times now this weekend.

“You don’t believe Giuseppe, do you?” Enzo bit out. “If you’re suggesting Emilia’s the one who?—”

Izzy cut off her brother. “She’s not technically in charge in Italy anymore, remember? She gave up her spot, even her home there. Yeah, she’s stepped back in once or twice since she recused herself from the role, but she’s currently back in Ireland with her husband and baby, not in charge in Italy.” She blinked rapidly. “But, oh wait . . .shit.No, it can’t be. Can it?”

Izzy pulled out her phone and went to town typing.

I read the room, realizing everyone was patiently waiting for her to explain instead of asking her to translate her thoughts out loud.

This must have been the norm for her—for all of them.

“Hold on, Sebastian’s calling me,” Constantine announced before she could share herahamoment with the rest of us.

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