Page 132 of Till Death Do Us Part

“I wasn’t here for him!” She fisted his pajamas, tucking herself underneath his chin, crying.

“If it’s any consolation, he called your name before he went.”

Then I left.

* * *

R. Corvo.

The rose is beauteous, but time causes it to fade;

The violet is fair in spring,

And quickly grows out of date;

The lily is white, fading when it droops;

The snow is white, melting at the very time when it is congealed,

And beautiful is the bloom of youth,

But it lasts only for a short time.

The plain marker in the cemetery was etched with those words. Just an abbreviation of my wife’s name and a poem by Theocritus.

If her bones were inside, mine would rest next to hers eternally.

I exhumed the grave, which was only a foot or two deep, and came up with a box full of stolen money. There was no casket.

Chapter47

Felice

Corvo’s house was all lit up. The driveway was filled with cars. All his daughters were home, except for one. Alfonso’s car was parked behind Lolita’s. No doubt he rushed over after he heard the news. Tommaso Russo was dead.

He knew who the new boss was.

Lolita answered the door. She sucked in air. “John,” she breathed out.

The other three sisters and their husbands came to stand behind her. Sandro put his hand on Lolita’s shoulder, his eyes not so sure about my intentions. I intended to make them clear.

“My wife,” I said.

“She’s not here.” Lolita lifted her hands. “Honest to God. You know I would tell you. She texts me sometimes, but that’s it. I have no clue where she is. I miss her, John.” Her eyes spilled over with tears. She wiped her cheeks.

I bulldozed my way into the house, Sandro moving Lolita out of the way. The group parted for me when I headed toward Corvo’s office.

Talia stepped in front of me. She was ballsy. I always liked her. Joseph stood next to her. He’d make a move if I moved on her.

“I know what you must be feeling right now,” she said, her voice strong. “But I’m not going to allow you to hurt my dad. He’s aged since…all of this. His heart is…sick. I can see yours is too.”

She saw a crazed man covered in sweat, mud, and blood on the hunt for his wife. I could smell death in the air around me. Had been smelling it since I’d been told my wife was dead.

Corvo stepped out of his office, his eyes narrowed. “Get out of the way, Talia.”

I went to move but Talia refused. Joseph had to take her by the shoulders and lift her. I had no problem with Roma’s sisters, or their husbands, but I’d move like a fucking wrecking ball when it came to my wife.

Corvo moved when I did. He ducked back into his office. He stood behind his desk. Alfonso and Jack stood side by side, backs almost plastered to the bookshelf. Dr. Sala sat in one of the two chairs in front of Corvo’s desk. He was sipping whatever was in his glass.

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