Page 32 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
“And then?”
“When you emerged a made member of the family, I was happy for you. I figured you might have had a hand in killing Leonardo.”
He shakes his head. “Heard he was shot down in the Bronx.”
“Yeah, well, he had enough enemies.” My lips curl up as I glance sideways at him. “But look at you now, little brother. You make his big time look like a drop in the ocean. You’re right at the heart of the biggest crime family on the east coast, expanding into new territories, and taking this business beyond the black market. I’m fucking proud of you.”
He angles his body toward me. “I appreciate the sentiment,” he says with a slight note of annoyance. “But don’t ever call me ‘little’ again.”
I bite my cheek and nod.
“And I don’t forgive you for letting me believe you were dead all these years. Not even close.”
“I understand,” I reply.
“But I do want in on Ajello’s neck. That asshole made my life miserable. He needs to die.”
I hold out my hand and we shake on it. He’s quicker to pull his away but I will feel my brother’s palm on mine for hours to come, because blood is thick, and finally, it’s only our skin that separates us.
Serafina
I stare at my knees until we’re on the freeway. I can’t bear to look at the beautiful surroundings I’ve begun to call home until we’re safely out of the Hamptons.
I still feel sick with humiliation and despair. The faces of my colleagues are inked on my eyeballs. Some of them reflected the sadness that is eating my insides. Some seemed genuinely concerned for my wellbeing. Angela shoved her contact details into my hand before I climbed into Papa’s car, telling me to call her if I need anything. One or two stared after me with a curious glint in their eyes. Those were expressions I’d begun to notice more frequently, and particularly since my sister became engaged to Cristiano.
Most people are curious about the Mafia in general,but especially the notorious family that has ruled the streets of New York for decades. A year ago, the thought of being even remotely connected to them was laughable. But now that my sister has married us all into the heart of the Di Santo’s, the cold, harsh reality is that there is no escape.
The sun is starting to peek over the horizon as we drive away from the hotel. Because I needed to pack up my belongings, we were the last to leave. And because of the events of the night, a few staff members hadn’t left the premises so were still around for my final farewell.
Trilby and Cristiano departed to the nearby home of an associate for their wedding night, while Cristiano’s caporegimes, including Benito, drove back to the Di Santo residence. No one wanted to stay at the hotel after so many had lost their lives. Fifteen men and two women. The true horror of that has yet to sink in.
I’m sitting in the back of Papa’s car, sandwiched between Tess and Bambi, presumably in case I try to throw myself onto the asphalt while traveling at seventy miles per hour.
Tess took my hand as soon as I sat down but my senses are numb so I don’t register the feel of her fingers. Bambi keeps turning toward me, her expression one of confusion mixed with sympathy and a little bit of terror. And every few minutes, Allegra looks over her shoulder from the front passenger seat and shoots a worried, sympathetic glance in my direction. Papa’s jaw hasn’t unclenched since we left.
It’s the early hours of the morning when we arrive back at home. Papa and Bambi unload the bags from the trunk while Allegra and Tess chaperone me into the house as if I might bolt at any second.
The thing is, you need energy to run, and mine has been spent on crying every last tear.
“You should try and get some sleep,” Allegra says, tipping her chin toward the stairs. Then she turns to Tess. “You too. I’ll wake you in a few hours.”
I doubt I’ll be able to sleep, but I’m exhausted, so I follow Tess up the stairs. Our rooms are next to each other but I haven’t stepped foot in mine for almost a year. I stand outside it, staring at the closed door.
“It must be weird being back here, huh?” Tess says, letting the door to her room swing open.
I nod but I’m not really listening.
I can’t go inside.
It’s like there’s an invisible energy field where the door frame is. On the one hand it’s trying to pull me in and wrap its familiar arms around me. On the other, a voice in my head is screaming at me not to turn the handle. I’ve come so far. I was beginning to heal. But leaving the Hamptons has thrown everything into disarray. I’m now faced with everything I fear, everything I’ve tried to run away from, and I’m not prepared for it.
“Tess…” I’m shocked at how my words tremble. “Please can I sleep in your room?”
My younger sister is about to step inside when her head swings around in surprise. “Really? You sure?”
I nod earnestly. “Yes, I’m sure. I don’t want to be alone.”
“Your room is way bigger than mine. I could sl?—”
