Page 62 of Veil of Vengeance

“What the fuck do you mean she’s dead?” he asks. I walk further into the room, stepping over some broken vase.

“Thalia was in a critical condition, two months ago. The Terranova clan had attacked the store she was in and was shot by them,” I tell him. His face turns into a snarl.

“And what the fuck has the Camorra done to retaliate?” he demands. I raise an eyebrow at his stupid question.

“We’re dealing with the Outfit,” I tell him, and he scoffs, before wincing in pain.

“How long have I been out for?” he asks, and I hold up three fingers.

“Three months,” I say, and he mutters a “fuck” under his breath before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Get changed so you can go home. I need my Consigliere.” He looks back at me, his eyes empty, but he doesn’t reply.

“I’ll see you soon, Dom,” I say before moving toward the door. I shut it behind me and motion for Romiro to follow me.

“So how did he take the news about Thalia?” Romiro looks concerned.

“Better than I expected.” I shrug. “Just leave it, Rom.”

We head out of the hospital and decide to go back to my apartment. My phone rings in the car and I see that it’s Joseph Terranova.

“Joe, you have some nerve calling me after killing my cousin’s wife, the Camorra’s Consigliere. I’m not responsible for what he’ll do,” I say, and he huffs out an ugly laugh, only to start coughing at the end, probably all that cigar smoking he loves to do.

“Come on, Folonari, she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he explains.

I grit my teeth, trying to stop myself from driving to his place and putting a bullet through his head for being at “the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“You know as well as I do that what you just fucking said is bullshit,” I growl.

“Cut the shit, Emiliano, you and I both know that I couldn’t do jack-shit about it. My brother runs the show, not me.” Orlando Terranova. Fuck-face is yet another thorn in my side. A thorn I plan to take out soon enough.

“What the fuck you calling me up for, then?” I ask, and he doesn’t say anything for a beat.

“I’d like to borrow some money,” he finally says.

I run my tongue over my teeth. Joe’s a snake to everyone, especially his own.

“How much?” I’ll play the long game since the little Terranova clan wants to play the short one.

“Two hundred grand.” His voice comes out too eager and grates on my nerves.

“Done. I’ll have the money transferred within the hour.” I cut the phone call short before he even tries to reply. The car comes to a halt in my apartment’s parking garage, and I step out, waiting for Romiro to pull in.

His speeding car jerks to a stop next to mine, the engine probably sizzling hot because of how fast the asshole likes to drive. He gives me a grin as he steps out, and I shake my head at him.

CHAPTER 17

VALENTINA

By the time I was done showering and changing into another pair of Emiliano’s clothes, my thoughts had cleared and the panic set in. What if he uses this against my Dad to humiliate him? What the fuck was I thinking?

Doing that with him after the nightmare I had... I’m so fucking stupid. I can’t believe that I’ve put both my sisters’, brother’s, and Mom’s life on the line for some short-lived pleasure.

I trudge down the marble staircase as I make my way toward the kitchen. My stomach has been growling non-stop, demanding food, and my dry throat wants water. This time, when I enter the kitchen, it’s not empty.

There are three women there. One with a short silver bob, one with shoulder-length black hair that has streaks of pink in it, and the last one has long platinum-blonde hair and a slender, tall figure.

“Can I help you, dear?” The one with the short silver bob is the one to ask me as she walks toward me.

“I was wondering-” I’m cut off when my stomach loudly grumbles, my cheeks burn, and my palms become slick.

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