Page 46 of Savage Union
I read over the message twice, wondering if I'm making things better or worse. But I have to try. The Irish need to understand I didn't double-cross them. I hit send before I can second-guess myself further.
The message shows as delivered. I stare at the screen, willing a response to appear, but nothing comes. My heart races as I check the time—forty-five minutes until Vito expects to "discuss" my shopping spree. I need to delete any evidence of my communication and return the phone to its original state.
I systematically clear the message history, cache, and make sure there's no trace of my activity before setting the phone aside. Just as I finish, there's a knock at the door that nearly makes me jump out of my skin.
"Yes?" My voice sounds strained even to my own ears.
"Delivery for you, Miss." It's Antonia, her voice muffled through the door.
The purchases. Of course.
"Just a minute." I quickly tuck Elena's phone in the bottom of my purse and smooth my hair before opening the door.
Antonia stands with two uniformed delivery men behind her, each carrying multiple garment bags and boxes. Behind them, I can see more waiting in the hallway.
"Where would you like these, Miss?" one of the men asks.
"In here is fine." I step back, watching as they begin bringing in my extravagant haul.
It takes nearly fifteen minutes for everything to be brought in, the pile growing until it fills a significant portion of the spacious room. As the last box is set down, I hear footsteps in the hallway—measured, deliberate steps that I instantly recognize.
Vito appears in the doorway, surveying the mountain of merchandise with an expression that might almost be amusement if it weren't so cold.
"Satisfied?" he asks.
I lift my chin. "Very."
His eyes sweep the room once more before settling on me. "Enjoy your organizing, Caterina. I'll see you at dinner."
He turns to leave, then pauses. "Oh, and one more thing."
"Yes?"
"I hope whoever you were texting was worth the risk." His eyes flick meaningfully to my purse, where Elena's phone is hidden. "Actions and consequences, remember?"
My blood turns to ice as he walks away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
He knows. Somehow, he knows.
And now I wait for the consequences to fall.
CHAPTER 14
Rina
Dinner passes in tense silence.Vito eats with his usual precision, cutting each piece of food to the exact same size, chewing a specific number of times before swallowing. I push mine around the plate, my appetite gone after his cryptic comment about my texting.
He knows I used Elena's phone. How? Did he have someone watching us in the restaurant? Does he have some way of tracking my movements I don't know about? Are their cameras in my actual bedroom? The uncertainty is maddening.
Even more unsettling is that he hasn't mentioned it again. No accusations, no interrogation, no punishment—yet. Just this suffocating silence and the promise of "consequences" hanging over me like a guillotine blade.
When he finally speaks, it's about nothing important. "The wedding planner will be here tomorrow afternoon. She'll need your input on several details."
I set down my fork. "I thought you were handling all the arrangements."
"The Commission expects certain traditions to be observed. Your participation is required." He takes a sip of wine. "Three o'clock. Dante will bring you to my office."
"Understood." I find myself slipping into his pattern of terse responses, as if normal conversation has become impossible between us.
