Page 15 of Blood and Penance
“Who?” I ask as soon as I am in front of her. “Who did you kill?”
“My husband, Lio D’Amico.”
Jesus Christ!
Chapter Ten
Phoenix
Before I know what’s happening, he drags me out of the confessional, and out the back entrance of the cathedral. The cool night air caresses my skin, but it doesn’t give me any relief. My skin is scorching hot from the humiliation and anger that engulfs me as he hauls me out of the church like I’m some nuisance.
He might as well had thrown me over his shoulder like a caveman. Asshole.
He ignores the whispers and shocked stares of his parishioners who are scattered throughout the church waiting to confess their sins—many of them with questions on the tips of their tongues. But he didn’t even acknowledge them.
His stride is long and hurried, like if he doesn’t get me off holy ground the Lord will strike me dead for confessing to murder.
“Gianni, you’re hurting me,” I say as his blunt nails dig into my arm. “Slow down. I can walk on my own, goddamn it.”
He just looks at me over his shoulder but doesn’t loosen his grip on my arm even when I try to pull away from him. The look he gives me almost makes me stop in my tracks, but he looks forward again, continuing to pull me along without saying a word.
It’s like he’s punishing me for doing what I needed to do without hearing the entire story. I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t spend the rest of my life with Lio. I’ve already wasted so much of my time and my son’s. We deserve to live a happy and safe life. It was either Lio or me and Giancarlo.
I chose us.
There’s no one I can call to find out what’s happening back home since I’ve left. No one other than Matteo and I’ve tried getting in touch with him, but he’s cut all contact with me. I don’t blame him. He’s Lio’s right-hand man and went against his boss to help me get out. I’m not stupid enough to believe it had been out of the goodness of his heart. Matteo had his eyes on taking Lio’s place. However, it doesn’t matter what his reasons were for helping me. I just needed help. Hopefully, trusting Matteo doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.
Gianni only lets me go when we reach the front door of where I assume he lives so he can unlock it. I rub the sensitive spot on my arm that will be bruised by tomorrow.
I look up at the small but impressive house, noticing the intricate carvings on the porch and the scent of freshly cut grass, well-kept gardens, and trees. The old brick home, with its weathered pitch roof and chimney, has a timeless, homely look.
“Is this where you live?” I ask even though I already know the answer.
I just need to break the intense silence and tension between us.
He pushes the door open, then steps to the side. “Get in.”
His voice is riddled with anger. Gianni is a Puglisi despite the collar around his neck. He can protect me and Giancarlo if we need it. But why the hell is he angry at me?
“Never mind.” I begin to back away. “I’ll deal with it myself.”
I don’t know how I can deal with it, but I will. I know coming back here will cause issues in his life, but other than my sister he’s the only person I know I can trust. And if he doesn’t want to help me, then I’m my own. I’ll take Giancarlo and run. Where to, I have no clue, but I’ll do what I have to do.
He grabs me by the arm again, stopping me from leaving. “Get. In. The. House.”
My eyes widen. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Gianni’s angry side.
“Not until you calm down.”
He looks at me like I’m the crazy one. His eyes have darkened, his breathing is labored, and his tone with me has shifted from that irritation from earlier in the confessional to being entirely pissed off.
“Phoenix, you come here after years of silence to confess to me you’ve killed your husband, and you want me to calm down?” he says with his fists clenched at his sides.
I expect him to be calm and help me decide what to do. I’ve not only killed a man, but I killed someone who is also a high-ranking member of the Camorra. Shit won’t end well for me unless I can figure out my next steps.
“Yes.”
“You got married?” His voice waivers just a little, then he clears his throat. “You got married and his name is… was Lio D'Amico?”
