Page 7 of Mafia Betrayal

“Alessandro has been in this business since he was seventeen. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows exactly who he can trust and who he can’t.”

“So, are you saying that you don’t trust me?”

He covered his face and groaned. “Tesoro,tesoro,tesoro …”

“Is that why you gave Alessandro the address and not me?”

After a few moments of silence, he shook his head. “That’s enough. If you are looking for another chance to redeem yourself, you need to take it up with Alessandro. You are dismissed.”

My eyes widened. He was serious. Oh my God.

“But, Dad—”

“Go home, Chiara,” he said. “Tommy is probably waiting for you.”

Of course. How could I forget good-boy, suck-up Tommy?

“Don’t forget the party tonight. I expect you to be there,” Daddy said.

I pushed past him and rushed out the door.

“Good morning,reginetta.” Alessandro walked into the restaurant, gazed back at me, and flashed me a smirk right as the door shut on my face.

I wanted to go back in and make him pay, but Daddy wouldn’t believe me and wouldn’t allow it. Killing Alessandro would just make more of a mess for Daddy.

But did it matter? He already didn’t trust me—and he shouldn’t.

5

chiara

“All the menin this family arestronzos,” Giorgia said over the phone. “What can you do?”

I clutched the pillow in my hand, wanting to rip it apart.

“So, will I see you at the party tonight?”

What a great friend.Giorgia had given me a one-liner and changed the subject so she didn’t have to deal with it. If I hadn’t needed to get it off of my chest, I would’ve shut my mouth, but Alice wasn’t picking up the phone, and Giorgia was the only otherfriendI had left that I trusted.

“Giorgia.” I shook my head. It wasn’t even worth it. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

The door to my apartment opened, and Tommy walked in with a big smile on his face.

“Hey, babe,” he called.

I gave him a half-smile.Fake it. Fake it. Fake it.

“Is that Tommy?” Giorgia asked, suddenly interested in the conversation. “Tell him I said hi!”

I rolled my eyes and plastered a fake smile on my face. “Of course.”

Everyone loved Tommy, it seemed. Everyone but me.

“Giorgia, I have to go. I’ll see you tonight.” I shut off the phone before she could respond to me.

Tommy pulled on his tie, loosening it. “Sleep well?”

After gathering all the patience I had left, I stood and helped him remove the damn tie. “Yes.” I hung the tie off of one of the kitchen stools. “You’re home late.”

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