Page 40 of Pride

The sob turns into a wail. “Sera! Oh my God, you finally answered!”

“What? What’s wrong? What happened?”

“It’s Daddy! They tried to kill him again! We’re at the hospital!”

Hospital.

The word sends ice through my veins. No made man would go to the hospital unless his injuries were life-threatening. And maybe not even then.

Antony has picked up on my alarm.What is it?he mouths.

Daddy,I mouth back. “Tina! What’s going on? What’s happened to Daddy?”

“He was out on the boat. Someone was supposed to be out there with him but I guess they weren’t.” Tina fumbles for words for a second, then continues. “I was in my room after dinner. The first thing I heard was Mamma screaming. Daddy… somehow he managed to drive the boat back to the dock and crashed into it, and Mamma heard it and went outside to see what was wrong, and… Oh, Sera, there was so much blood!”

Oh my God.My mind is spinning. I have so many questions. But none of them are important right now. I press my hand to my forehead and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to focus. “Is Daddy going to be okay?”

“I don’t know!” Tina wails. “He’s in surgery right now.”

“Where were his men? Where was Matteo?”

“I don’t know! His men are nowhere to be found. And I thought…” She hesitates, then continues. “I thought Matteo was out on the boat with Daddy. But he disappeared! I don’t know where he went!”

Out on the boat. Disappeared.I glance over at Antony. His face is a mask of concern.

“Oh, Sera,” Tina cries. “I’m so scared, and Mamma is hysterical! Can you please come? I don’t know what to do!”

“I’m on my way,” I say automatically. “Which hospital?”

She gives me the name, and I tell her I’ll be there as soon as I can. Then I hang up.

“Sera, what’s happened?” Antony asks as soon as I’m off the phone. “Sera?”

My mind is racing, almost as fast as my galloping heart.

No one knew where Daddy was. No one knows where our safe house is. Except my father’s men and our family.

And Antony, Marco, and Matteo D’Agostino.

The phone falls from my hand.

I look across the table at the man I’ve just agreed to marry. The man who, against all odds, I’ve fallen in love with. Given my heart to.

God. I’m such a fool.

“My God,” I hiss at him. Tears of anger and pain overflow my eyes, start to run down my cheeks. “How could you?”

“How could I what?” Antony leans forward, looking shocked. “Sera. What’s going on? What’s happening?”

“All along… you planned this whole thing. Didn’t you?”

“Sweetheart, you’re not making any —”

“Don’t!” I scream. A waiter who is coming toward us jumps and turns around, skittering back into the kitchen. “Don’t you dare lie to me!”

“Sera. I swear. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Look at me.” His eyes lock onto mine. “I will not lie to you. I swear to God. Just tell me what’s happening.”

A bitter laugh rips from my throat as the tears continue to fall. “I should have known better. Your word, Antony, means nothing. You’d lie to God himself if it got you more power. You’re just like the rest of them.” Angrily, I swipe at my face. “Howcould I be so stupid? How could I have actually believed you? What a sap!”

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