Page 56 of Mafia Kings: Dario

I shook my headno.“He tried, but… you got here in time.”

Dario’s expression got even darker, if that was possible.

He turned back towards the stranger. I thought for a second that he was going to tear the man limb from limb –

When another engine roared up to the church.

Tires screeched, doors opened, and Adriano and Massimo ran into the alleyway.

“What the hell happened?!” Adriano shouted.

“Search the church!” Dario yelled, then turned to me. “Was there anyone else?”

“A p-priest,” I stuttered.

“You heard her – GO!” Dario raged.

Adriano ran for the front of the church. Massimo opened the door I had come out of and disappeared inside.

Dario knelt beside me and put his powerful hands on my shoulders.

I thought he might shake me or strike me –

But all he did was stare into my eyes.

“…are you sure you’re alright?” he asked, his voice quiet.

I tried to nodyes–

But my eyes welled up and I burst into tears.

He got down on the ground next to me and cradled me in his arms.

“Shhh… it’s over… you’re safe,” he whispered in my ear. “You’re safe.”

He held me until my sobs subsided – and then I heard shouting from the front of the church.

“Get your hands off me!” howled a familiar old man’s voice.

“Come on,” Dario said as he lifted me effortlessly to my feet.

He put his arm around me and supported me as we walked to the front of the church.

A black Mercedes idled in the deserted street beside the midnight blue Bugatti.

The priest was kneeling on the ground in front of the cars.

Massimo stood behind him; one massive paw on the old man’s shoulder forced him to stay on his knees.

A few feet away, Adriano paced back and forth like an enraged panther, a pistol in his hand.

When Dario and I emerged from the alleyway, Adriano gestured with his pistol at the priest. “Thisstronzoacts like he doesn’t know what’s going on.”

“Leave me alone!” the old man cried out.

Dario nodded to Adriano, who pressed the barrel of the gun against the old man’s forehead.

“Time to answer a few questions,padre,”Adriano snarled.

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