Page 123 of Impenitent Claim

Chapter 45 – Isabella

The dawn came and went.

I pushed the full suitcases back into my closet, hoping that I would use them later in the morning. The opportunity never came.

When I crept downstairs, driven by the knot of hunger and worry twisting in my belly, there was no one about. Distant doors had slammed the whole morning, but now the house was eerily silent. There was no one to sate my curiosity, even with the most outrageous gossip or ludicrous superstitions.

Barely able to stand not knowing, I assembled a sandwich with the utmost speed and dashed back to my room. I couldn’t spend another minute not knowing.

The food bounced on my bed, falling mostly off the plate when I dropped it to clasp my phone. I dialed the number from the card by heart.

The other device was off, and there was no voicemail.

Ilya!

What the hell happened last night?

Spinning on my heel, I rushed next door to Alonzo’s room. After banging on the wood and not receiving an answer, I shoved inside. Empty. My hunger vanished. Fear soured my gut.

I fled to my brother’s room.

It was also empty.

“They were abducted last night,” a cold voice sneered.

The temperature in the air dropped. Dread crackled through the space. No.No!This wasn’t happening. I refused to believe it.

I rounded on the strega. “Cece, I swear to the heavens that if you’re joking—”

“I’m not,” she snapped. “The Scorso Famiglia outmaneuvered us, taking both lads.”

There wasn’t a line of worry etched on her face. Instead….was that a glint? I dogged forward.

Tripping over her frumpy, squat shoes, Cecilia stepped hurriedly backward.

“Where’s the don? And what are they doing to rescue them?” I menaced.

“Pazza puttana.” She crossed herself. “You’re possessed, that’s what it is. You’re the plague on all of us. Your parents raised a devil, and now you’ve doomed us all.”

Shoving past her, I retreated to my room. Stabbing her with a fork would be too merciful. No, I would get my gun and—

There was a body blocking my door. I hadn’t seen the guard come behind Cecilia.

Who was advancing into my room, plucking my cell phone and laptop off my bed.

“Cece! What the hell is this?” I shouted, stalking toward her.

The strega scrambled back through the door. “Francesco, remember your orders. Signorina Rinaldi is not allowed to leave her room. You will watch her at all times, even in the bathroom. And if she tries to escape, break her leg.”

“Cecilia!” I gasped skidding to a stop before my door.

“You’ll be brought bread and water, but otherwise, you’ll stay there until we can decide what to do with you.”

“I need to find my brother and Alonzo!” I raged.

The bitch cackled. “You think you can do better than what the whole organization is doing? You’re even more delusional than I thought, idiota.”

Francesco cracked his knuckles, a meaty glare raking over me.

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