Page 11 of Merciless Oath

My uncle and father speak at the same time, and I shrink back against the counter, cursing myself for not lying.

But Uncle Luigi would have looked into it and figured it out anyway. Then I’d be caught in a lie, and it’d be even worse.

“Enzo Cavalli is the head of the Romano family,” I clarify, but judging by the horrified look on Luigi’s face, they definitely understood.

The silence stretches, slowly replacing the air in the room. By the time my father finally speaks, I feel like I’m suffocating.

“Valentina, I want you and Matilda to get on the first flight back to California,” he commands, his voice low and laced with anger. “Your work there is done. Luigi and the rest of the crew can finish up.”

“But—”

The call cuts off, signaling my father’s unvocalized goodbye. I grab the stupid phone and hurl it against the wall with all my strength. Uncle Luigi sighs and leaves the room, giving me time to calm down.

Matilda spots me at the window from outside and grins, waving both mittened hands at me. I smile as Alfonso scoops her up and sends her flying into the air.

My fingers pick nervously at the dish towel, unraveling the loose threads while my foot taps against the marble floors of its own accord.

I ignore my body as it screams and begs to move, to stretch my muscles, to lose myself in music. My father’s words echo in my mind.

Ballet isn’t a priority anymore. Quit dreaming about a future that’ll never happen.

I sink into a chair at the kitchen table with my coffee, my mind a jumble of confusion and regrets. The anger builds as I think about the horrific existence my family has trapped me in.

I can’t build the future I want for myself because I need to lead the family. But I can’t throw myself into leading the family because no one trusts me to make decisions.

And then, there’s Enzo. I drift back to that sweltering day in August, after my final recital. We made love on the ballet studio floor for the last time, not knowing it would be the last.

He disappeared after that. For years, I beat myself up thinking it was my fault—I wasn’t pretty enough, fun enough, or good enough for him.

Then I found the check receipt in my father’s books.

When I took over the family, I went through all our accounts to find where we could tighten things up. Stuffed haphazardly into the back of an account book was a receipt for three million dollars made out to Enzo Cavalli, dated the day after my recital.

He traded our love for money.

I sure hope that three million dollars keeps his cold heart warm at night.

CHAPTER FOUR

Enzo

It might beconvenient to believe the Rossis are behind the warehouse attack, but it doesn’t make sense. The shocked look on Valentina’s face when I walked in there today was enough for me to realize she had no idea.

That, and the simple fact that the Rossis wouldn’t attack the Romanos unprovoked.

That leads me back to The8. Of course, it’s possible it’s another family or even some bored teenagers, but The8 is really getting on my nerves.

I finish up my last lap and pull myself out of the pool, shivering at the frosty air. Although the rooftop pool is heated, it’s not enclosed, meaning I have to freeze my nips off getting in and out every morning.

I cocoon myself in a giant velvet robe and slide my feet into a pair of slippers. My brain is moving a mile a minute, trying to sort out all the new information.

As the elevator takes me back down to my penthouse, I check my messages. A few updates from Jack, telling me they’ve reached the warehouse upstate. A video message from Lux and her adorable daughter, Rosie, playing in the snow.

I freeze as the elevator pings open.

A new message from The8.

I click it open with excitement, hoping for something that might reveal their identity. My excitement deflates when I see it’s a series of numbers that don’t make any sense.

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