Page 77 of Immoral

Papà steps forward and puts his hands on Massimo's cheeks. "If she isn't, then you have nothing to worry about."

Five seconds pass. Massimo replies, "The Abruzzos put her through enough. I won't subject her to your scrutiny."

"Then tell me what they did to her."

Massimo sniffs hard. "No. It's no one's business but hers."

"Everyone out. Massimo, you stay," Papà directs.

"My wife almost died. I have a right to stay and hear whatever it is he's hiding from us," I proclaim.

"I'm not hiding anything. And that's rich coming from you," Massimo hurls.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"What the fuck does that mean?" I bellow.

Massimo sarcastically laughs. "God, you're such a hypocrite."

"I'm a hypocrite?" I ask in shock.

"Yeah. You take off to buy Cara at an auction. You use Luca to do your dirty work and tell none of us what's going on. Then you disappear to the middle of nowhere in Canada without telling any of us your location or when you're even coming home."

I cross my arms over my chest. "This isn't the same thing."

"Isn't it?"

"No, it's not," I maintain.

"You're delusional."

"You better watch your mouth," I warn again.

"Enough! Everyone but Massimo out!" Papà orders again.

I don't tear my eyes off Massimo until Dante puts his hand on my shoulder. "Gianni, let's go."

I point in Massimo's face. "If I find out she tipped off the Abruzzos and almost killed my wife, I'm going after her."

"Don't throw your threats around."

"Oh, it's not a threat, little brother. It's a goddamn promise, and you'll be next on my list."

"Out!" Papà shouts louder.

I toss Massimo another dirty look and stomp out of the office. When the door shuts, Tristano and Dante huddle around me. Tristano states, "Can we just assume it wasn't Katiya for a moment?"

More anger seers through me. "You're asking for a punch in the face."

"Cool it. Tristano is right. We need to look at all angles," Dante says.

I close my eyes and count to thirty, attempting to stop my insides from shaking. When I open my lids, I catch Cara out of the corner of my eye. I tilt my head toward the top of the landing. "Tesoro, are you okay?"

"Yeah. My stomach is growling. I thought I'd go to the kitchen and grab a snack."

I glance at my brothers and reply, "Good idea. I'll go with you. I'm over this conversation." I meet Cara at the bottom of the stairs and maneuver her through the hallway toward the kitchen.

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