Page 212 of Stalking Ginevra

I glance toward the other end of the lawn and find an elderly woman in a housecoat. “Bring her here.”

Reaper strides across the grass toward a group of survivors gathered beyond the reach of the burning mansion. The old woman raises her hands like a shield, her features twisting with anguish. After taking her arm, Reaper walks her to where Salvatore kneels.

When she’s close enough, I turn to face her. “Who is Victor?”

She freezes, breaths coming in quick, shallow bursts. “I—I don’t know who he is, but he’s been blackmailing this family for over twenty?—”

“Mother, stop,” Salvatore hisses.

“Let her speak,” I snap.

She places a hand to her chest. “Victor has been torturing this family for decades. I don’t know what he has over my son, but it has to be something terrible enough to bring us all to ruin.”

“Shut up!” Salvatore barks.

I kneel beside him again, my patience wearing thin. “Salvatore?”

He shakes his head, refusing to speak. Beside him, Antonio stirs, coughing up more soot and gasoline.

“Is your silence worth more than your family’s lives? Because I’m about to set your son on fire, and the flames will spread to you.”

Salvatore trembles, his facade cracking, but still he says nothing.

“Lighter.”

Reaper presses the metal object into my palm. I flip it open, holding a flame in front of his face. “Last chance.”

His eyes flicker with panic, darting from me to the flame, and back to his mother, who fills the air with sobs. He’s ready to die, but will he watch his son burn in a funeral pyre? I turn the flame to Antonio, who thrashes beside him and screams.

“Your mother will be next,” I whisper into Salvatore’s ear.

The old man’s stoic mask slips, and he squeezes his eyes shut.

“Victor has been holding my daughter hostage since she was an infant. I don’t know where he’s hidden her, but every time I try to cut him off, he sends a photo.”

Eyes widening, I close the lighter with a snap.

“Help me find Victor,” I say through clenched teeth. “I’ll even help you find the girl.”

He shakes his head. “He swore to deliver her head in a box if I interfered.”

Reaper and I exchange glances but neither of us speak, even though the threat reminds us both about Carla.

I grind my teeth, my fingers tightening around the lighter. “I’ve run out of patience.”

Turning back to Antonio, I pour the rest of the gasoline over his head, making sure to create a line of flammable fluid across the lawn. With a flick of my wrist, I toss the lighter at the end of the trail. The fire roars to life, racing across the lawn like dynamite to where Antonio tries to flee.

Cesare kicks him in the base of his spine, making him slump to the grass.

“No. Stop this!” the old woman sobs, collapsing onto the ground. “Salvatore. Say something. Save him!”

Salvatore lurches forward with a strangled cry, his eyes fixed on the flames closing in on his son.

“I’ll tell you everything!” he blurts. “Just please, stop this madness!”

I give Reaper a sharp nod. He steps forward, stamping out the flames before they can reach Antonio. The fire hisses and dies, making Salvatore slump with relief.

“Speak,” I hiss.

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