Page 47 of Playing the Sicilian's Game of Revenge

She wrenched the ring off her finger, slapped it in his palm. “If you realize what a mistake you’ve made, I hope you’ll stop yourself. If you regret breaking things off with me in the next few weeks, I hope you’ll come apologize. But if you come to me after you’ve done this horrible thing, once I’ve gotten over you, I will not take you back, Teo. I will not.” She frantically wiped at her cheeks, but more tears poured out of her eyes. Eventually she lifted her chin, met his gaze. “So I would think long and hard about what you want your life—that long, precious thing you have to live no matter what—to be like.” Then she turned and left.

And he was glad of it. That’s why he went to the table and broke every last dish and glass on it.

Glad.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

TEO DID NOTHING with the information that evening. He did not sleep. He did not plan. He sat at the dining room table and looked at Saverina’s half-eaten dessert. He could admit, as morning dawned over the city outside his window, that he’d brooded.

He tried to convince himself that this was for the best. Saverina was free to go after the life she wanted. Love and family and hell on earth if she asked him, but she had not.

He could admit, here, he’d rather enjoyed the idea of spending the next few years together. Not because of love. No children, for God’s sake. Just...friendship. Partnership. A comfortable and enjoyable business arrangement.

Maybe he’d liked an image of all that, but he wouldn’t regret it being over. Alone was best. Especially if she’d continued poking at him about grief and feelings. He didn’t need that. He was better off alone.

He would begin the leak. Meet with his press point person. Have him withdraw all the rumors about the Parisis and focus on Dante’s violent nature. There was no need for Saverina anymore. No need for proving the Parisis were good. If Dante could attack his own son, that would destroy everything.

Poetic justice.

But instead of calling his point person, he got in his car and drove to the address he had for Julia Marino. Because Saverina was wrong. Julia and her son would be happy if he leaked this. He would prove it to Saverina.

If he ever saw her again. Maybe he’d quit Parisi tomorrow. He had saved much and invested well. He could go anywhere. Do anything. He had no use for Parisi, for Sicily, for women who haunted and cursed in equal measure.

He would go to the Caribbean. To New Zealand. As far away from Sicily as possible.

When he arrived at the Marino estate, the gates were closed, but there was a little buzzer and intercom system, so he used it.

“Can we help you?”

“My name is Teo LaRosa. I need to speak with Mrs. Marino.”

There was a long, long silence. Then the squeak of gates opening. Teo got into his car and drove up to the expansive mansion.

He stopped his car at the extravagant entrance and got out. Something beat in him like panic, but he refused to label it as such. It was simply the realization anew that his mother had struggled all her adult life when she should not have. With this wealth and extravagance, Dante could have at least paid her off.

But he’d threatened her, scared her, and left her with nothing.

The door opened before Teo even got up the stairs. Julia stepped out and closed her front door behind her.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she said as she approached. She began to walk past him, back toward where he’d come from. He found himself following as she stalked away, clutching the cardigan around her tightly.

When they got past the fountain, she finally stopped and turned to face him. Her expression was cold. “The cameras cannot see us or hear us here, but I will need to return immediately. Drive down the street to the park on the corner. I will meet you there. You haven’t gone to the press yet, have you?”

He blinked once in confusion, before it dawned on him that Saverina had warned her. Fury leaped through him like pain and grief, but he had no chance to ask Julia any questions.

She went back the way she’d come before he could answer. Teo could only stand frozen for a moment or two. Then he began to follow her instructions.

Because he was right.

Because she was afraid of her husband.

And him exposing her secret would save her. Saverina would see she was completely and utterly wrong, and then they could—

Nothing, he reminded himself harshly. His and Saverina’s partnership was over. Done. He got in his car and drove to the park. He waited far longer than he should have for Julia to finally arrive. She didn’t approach him, just went and sat on a little bench overlooking a small pond.

Teo walked over and took a seat next to her.

“Have you gone to the press already?” she asked again.

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