Page 109 of Where Wild Hearts Dance
Benito coughs loudly.
“Benito…” Enzo corrected, “told me to leave and take the family far away. The business couldn’t be saved. I let the Di Santo’s down and I owe Benito my life.”
Fed’s stare falters and his grip on Benito’s arms loosens. He’s just become aware he’s unknowingly walked right back into the hornet’s nest. Benito lets go of Fed’s throat but keeps the gun pointed at his head.
“Papa—” Blood spits from Fed’s lips when he says that one word, and his eyes fill with tears.
“Tell him about Mario,” Benito barks.
A sigh can be heard down the line and Federico glances to the side, his gaze resting on Augie. “Your uncle took liberties, Federico. I couldn’t control him. He hadn’t worked for the family business for six months and in the end he only cared about his cars and his mistresses…”
Fed’s eyes widen, letting a tear fall to the floor.
“He knew the Di Santo’s were paying me a visit andhe panicked. All he could think about was losing the life he’d built up on the money we skimmed from the Di Santo’s.”
Federico deflates against the wall and Benito removes the gun and takes a step backward.
“I should have told you the truth, but honestly, I feel so ashamed. I didn’t want you to think badly of your papa, Federico. I didn’t want you to hate me for taking you away from your life, your friends…”
I lower my gaze to the floor. Seeing Federico crumble under the truth is too painful to watch. I only look up when Augie slips a hand under my arm and helps me to my feet.
“Come home, Federico, please,” his father begs.
“He will,” Benito says, sternly. “My men will escort him until the flight is off the ground.”
“Thank you Benito. I truly am sorry.”
Nicolò snaps the phone closed, terminating the conversation. “And wetrulyhave to go,” he says to Benito. I’m pretty certain Cristiano’s closest cousin is the only person Benito allows to speak to him in that way.
“Um—” Federico tries to speak. Augie steps forward and offers him a handkerchief. Fed takes it and mops up his mouth as best he can. Several of us avert our eyes. “I, um… I’m sorry about the restaurant.”
Benito glances at Nicolò who shakes his head.
“We haven’t had reports of it being burned down,” Benito says with an arched brow.
Federico swallows. “But, Andreas said?—”
“Who’s Andreas?” Augie snaps.
“The guy who said he works with the Marchesi’s. He said he would organize it.” Federico blinks at Benito as though he’s expecting another head butt.
“It won’t happen,” Nicolò says, inspecting his nails. “The place is locked down.”
“I… I didn’t burn down your house,” Fed rushes out.
Benito stares at him with the scariest of poker faces. In this moment I understand why he has such a lethal reputation. It’s impossible to know what he’s thinking or planning, until it’s done.
“I-I promise, Benito. I didn’t go anywhere near your house. I promise.”
Still Benito stares, not saying a word. The atmosphere in the room recedes to nothing but cold heartbeats and frigid truths.
“Please believe me,” Fed begs. I can see the panic in his eyes, the acceptance of certain death. “I didn’t burn down your house.”
Benito doesn’t blink. “I know you didn’t.” The room falls eerily quiet. “I did.”
I dart my gaze to Benito. Augie swings round. Fed lets out an audible breath of relief and Nicolò looks up from his fingernails.
“What?” Augie says with a frown.
