Page 49 of Vincenzo's Promise
I could see the rage in his eyes. Cyrus was just as pissed someone would dare try to take out his daughter, but I hoped once he found out who it was, he kept that same rage because Alessio Lombardo would die tonight.
Angelo returned with everything he’d gathered, including video footage of Daniella and Alessio meeting up, wire-tapped conversations carried out by her own father, and still images. Angelo had his shit together, and there was no fucking denying what was in black and white. Alessio Lombardo had tried to kill his younger sister.
I nodded to Angelo.
He walked around the desk and handed Cyrus the file, then stood behind me on my left side. We watched every emotion flicker across Cyrus’s face from shock, to remorse, then rage, and finally acceptance.
He closed the file and took in a deep, shuddering breath. The room was deathly silent. This was a heavy moment for Cyrus. I understood he had to accept what was right, what was just, but in doing so he would condemn one of his children to death. I would give him time, but make no mistake. No matter what Cyrus said, he would bury his son.
“When?” he asked.
“He’s being picked up as we speak,” I responded.
Cyrus nodded and wiped the stray tear that slipped from his eye. “Have you told Bella yet?”
“I have not. I wanted her to have the chance to see her brother and let him explain why he did what he did.”
“I once told you, no matter who it was, I would burn the entire world down for my Bella. Although he is my son, and I love him, he has no loyalty if he would do this to his own blood. I will see him take his last breath.”
I nodded. “Cyrus Lombardo, I, Vincenzo De Maio, promise you I will always protect Bella with my life, whether from enemies afar or those within.”
He nodded and stood, straightening his blazer. “Let’s get this over with,” he said, and we all walked out of my office.
It was time to break the news to my wife.
* * *
“Where is he, Zo?”Bella yelled as we made our way to the room in the back of the warehouse. I hadn’t expected to be back so soon, but it needed to be done. Someone who had no loyalty to his family didn’t deserve her sympathy, her tears, nor her love.
When I opened the door to the small room, she gasped at the sight of him. She took a step forward, and I tightened my hold around her waist. She glared at me, but I wouldn’t let her near this piece of shit. He’d tried to kill her.
“That’s as close as you’re getting, Bella. He tried to have you killed.”
“Zo, he’s my brother. He wouldn’t do that.”
Cyrus walked up beside her with tears pooled in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Bella, but Vincenzo’s right. Alessio is behind it all. My son, your brother, tried to kill you.”
She frantically shook her head, then looked at her brother, shackled to the wall. “Alessio, tell them it’s not true. You wouldn’t do something like that.”
Alessio looked at her, causing her to flinch and take a step back. There was no love in his eyes. There was only hate. Her hands flew to her mouth once she saw who her brother truly was.
“Why?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“Why?” He repeated her question mockingly. “Because you deserve to die! We could never have a real family because of you! My mother told us all about how your mother tried to steal Papa away, and you would do the same when you were old enough. And that’s exactly what would happen when you married Vincenzo. You aren’t a Lombardo! You will never be a Lombardo!” He pulled at his chains in vain. “Why should you have what’s ours?”
“Enough!” Cyrus yelled. “She is your sister regardless of the poison put into your head by your mother, Alessio. She is as much a Lombardo as you, and now even more. If you cannot be loyal to your own blood, then who will you be loyal to Alessio?”
“Papa…” he started, but Cyrus held his hand up.
“You are no longer a Lombardo.” Cyrus looked at his son, whose eyes widened at his father’s proclamation. “You have dishonored our name with your actions. Vincenzo, Bella, my sincerest apologies from the Scuderi Family. An eye for an eye.”
Cyrus kissed Bella on her tear-stained cheek and left the room with his son screaming for him to come back, to save him. But his pleas were in vain. Cyrus had made amends with the De Maio family by sanctioning the death of a madman, a member of the Cosa Nostra and his son.
Bella’s grip on my arm tightened when her brother glared at her with the most hatred I’d ever seen in a person’s eyes. This had been building for years. I knew this must have been a heartbreaking time for her, but this was our world. Sometimes, even family couldn’t be trusted.
“This is all your fault! Yours!” he screamed. “I’m going to kill you, bitch! I will not rest, Bella. If it’s the last thing I do, you will pay.”
I tightened my embrace. She watched her brother with sadness, then fury, then acceptance. She inhaled and exhaled a calming breath, steeling herself. “Alessio, I love you. You are my brother, but you have dishonored the Lombardo name. You tried to kill me and almost killed the love of my life. An eye for an eye,” she said, giving me the permission to do what needed to be done.
