Page 83 of Christmas with the Mafia
Sophia has the patience and manners of a saint as she smiles at Katrina. “Allow me to show you around. You may enjoy a tour, and we can finish off in the kitchen where the chef has some amazing canapés ready for drinks in the library before dinner.”
“Great.” Katrina’s eyes light up, and she jumps up as the door opens and the don himself strides into the room.
Sophia looks at him in surprise, and he turns to me and says in a firm voice, “Meet me in my den in ten minutes, Regina.”
He says nothing else, and as the door slams behind him, I note the shadow crossing Sophia’s usually serene face. Desiree is grinning like the joker and I attempt to quell the sense of impending doom that is threatening my rainbow right now.
I wonder what he wants?
Sophia turns to me, an anxious gleam in her eye, causing me to smile confidently.
“I expect its something to do with Nico and the engagement. It will be fine.”
I stand and she sighs, masking her unease with a soft smile.
As I leave the room, I attempt to stem the nerves that are seriously freaking me out right now. Something is telling me this isn’t to wish me a Merry Christmas, and as I catch sight of the clock nearby, I swallow hard.
I’m not even sure why I’m nervous but I take a detour to Nico’s room, insanity firmly in charge of my reasoning right now and as I slip inside, I waste no time and slidingopen the nightstand drawer, I tuck the revolver in the suspenders around my thigh.
As I head toward the den, I wonder if this was such a good idea. I’m not a killer. I’m not even competent with a gun, but I do have a sense of self-preservation to survive this mini break and if I’m about to be murdered by a mafia don, I won’t go down without a fight.
The trouble is, I don’t know the way to his den, and where I thought it was turns out to be a boot room. Another clock on the wall mocks me as I pass, my heart frantically beating as I sense my ten minutes were up about five minutes ago.
This is not good, and why isn’t there a handy-dandy guard lurking on the corner when you need one? Have they gone home for the holidays? Why is nobody around?
I listen for any sound of life, other than the steady drum of the death bell inside my heart as I rush down the corridor, knocking on every door I find.
Finally, I hear voices, and I attempt to still my frantic heart, which is promising to deliver me to an early grave before the don can do it.
I stop outside the door and recognize his low rumble and then the sneering tones of a woman who makes my flesh creep.
“Put the gun down.”
I stop in my tracks.
The deep voice making the command sends shivers down my spine.
“You’re an old fool, Giovanni.”
Desiree’s voice cuts like a blade through the air, and I edge along the wall, wondering what the hell is going on.
“You won’t get away with this.”
“I already have.” She sneers and hisses, “There is only one woman instructed to meet you here, and she will take the blame. So, prepare to die, Giovanni, in a most humiliating way.”
I sense nothing but the rush of blood in my head as I grasp the gun in my hand and peer around the edge of the door to see Desiree pointing a gun at Giovanni’s head from opposite the desk. As she takes aim, I don’t hesitate and with shaking fingers aim the gun, my finger pressing on the trigger, the sound like a firework going off in my head.
Screams electrify the air, followed by shouting, and as I stumble to my feet, I am thrown against the wall, the gun falling from my imprisoned hand.
I’m pinned against it as Giovanni bellows, “Get Vito.”
I stare into the eyes of one of the guards holding me and then Giovanni heads out of his den, and his face is like thunder as he yells, “Release her.”
Nico moves down the corridor like an approaching storm, closely followed by his brothers and Vito. There is so much noise, but I am in shock and can only stare at the madness unfolding around me.
Desiree is screaming from the den, a crumpled heap on the ground, and Nico stares at the scene in disbelief as chaos erupts around us.
“What happened?”
