Page 87 of Luciano (Belles & Mobsters 1)

Footsteps echoed and the door closed. Then sobs broke through the audio. Hearing Grace cry felt like multiple stabs into my heart. A knock on the door and crying immediately stopped.

“Just a minute.” Shuffling and then the door opening.

“Ella, what are you doing here?”

“I have to tell you something.”

“Can it wait? It’s not the best time.”

“Your uncle plans on taking us both tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”I wondered what they were talking about. Take her where?

“They expect to sell us tomorrow. The auction is tomorrow.”

“No.”I could hear the terror in her voice.“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”Another stretch of silence before Ella’s shaking voice came through. “Could your husband help?”

A pang in my heart. Grace needed me, and I wasn’t there. Damn it, she needed me, and I failed her.

“No, I think we are on our own.”

“But he married you.”

“It was about revenge. I don’t know all the details, but it doesn’t matter anymore. He thinks I betrayed him.“

“About what?”

“About some location he told me about.”

“Did you?”

“No.”Grace’s voice sounded tired.“I think it’s Roberto. I saw him with Uncle once, but it was a few years back, when I was a kid. It was so long ago, a few months before Mom and Dad died. I caught my uncle threatening Mom backstage, in her dressing room. I didn’t know who he was and didn’t understand the words.”She let out a bitter laugh. “I certainly understand them now.”

My chest squeezed. It wasn’t Grace.

“We could call him and tell him.”Ella’s voice sounded hopeful.

Another stretch of silence.

“It doesn’t matter, Ella. I’m leaving anyhow.”There was some noise and a crash. I shared a glance with Massimo.

“Are you sick?”

“No.”

“Oh my God, Grace. Are you-”Retching sounds came through, followed by throwing up.Confusion hit me. Was she sick?“Are you pregnant?”

“I’m done, Ella.”Grace’s voice shook.I was the worst bastard. There was my confirmation that Matteo was mine. No wonder she hated my guts. She should. I wouldn’t blame her if she killed me; I would let her, too.“I’m done being everyone’s pawn. I’m leaving tonight.”

“But your Uncle-”

“Will have me killed, one way or the other. He already controls my inheritance. And that’s not enough for him. He’s going to sell us. We have to run.”

“Does Luciano know about the pregnancy?”

A bitter laugh came through the air.“I was going to tell him at dinner.”

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