Page 28 of King

Guido and I will disappear from this earth.

That evening I start reaching out to my connections. I need to get ahead of this. I message the private investigator who helped me with proving Guido is Gio’s son. At first he’s reluctant to become involved, but I assure him that he will be compensated double whatever he’s expecting and that I won’t mention his name to anyone. He can remain anonymous.

I’m flooded with relief when he agrees.

After that I’m still tense and anxious, but at least I’m not going to be caught off guard when this whole thing comes crashing down.

Putting my phone away I make my way downstairs. Dinner will be served soon. I have to put on my brave face and confront whatever shit his sons are going to be handing out tonight.

But half way down the stairs I hear screaming and shouting and instantly know something is very wrong.

I run down the stairs, two at a time, almost tripping. Bolting into the dining room, Santino has Guido pinned to the floor, and he’s punching him, over and over again while Guido screams and does his best to fight back.

“Get off him.” I scream, but my voice is lost in the chaos.

Romeo and Dante are standing to the side. Romeo is smiling. Dante looks horrified.

“Get off him.” I scream again, trying to grab Santino’s shirt and pull him away, but he swings backwards, and I lose my grip and fall hard onto my ass.

Giovanni bursts into the room and grabs Santino, lifting him in the air as he tugs him off Guido . He pushes Santino away and stands between the two of them.

“What the fuck is going on?” he snarls angrily.

Santino immediately starts accusing Guido .

“He stole from me. That fucking little dickhead went into my room and stole from me.” He shouts.

“When?” I say in desperation. “H’s been in his room all day. He doesn’t even come into your side of the house.”

“What, you have eyes in the back of your head? Don’t defend him. I found the money under his pillow.”

“Money?” I stammer in disbelief.

Guido has never stolen in his life. And he doesn’t need money. There is no reason for him to risk everything to steal from Santino.

I look at Giovanni, desperate for him to put an end to this.

“Apologize.” He says to Guido .

“What?” I snap in disbelief.

“If the boy stole, he needs to apologize.”

Guido is standing, his hands shaking as he listens to the accusations. Blood is flowing from his nose and one eye is already darkening with a blue bruise.

I step in front of him, protecting my son because apparently his father isn’t going to.

“My son would never steal.” I snarl, like a lioness defending her cub.

Giovanni bites down hard and shakes his head.

“Apologize.” He says again.

Santino is smiling so coldly it makes me want to slap him.

NINE

giovanni

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