Page 78 of Redemption

“Mirabella, you should answer your phone when I call you,” he says before I even say anything into the phone.

“I’m working. I was busy.”

“You should really stop lying to me.”

“I’m not—”

His voice turns vicious as he cuts me off. “You’ve been lying to me for months, it seems. I thought you were loyal to this family. But Dante and Ezio both felt like you were giving information to someone. And I believed that to be true after what Ezio told me last week about that burner phone you have. But then it all came together when I received a present this morning. A nice box with The Partners signature all over it.”

A chill goes down my spine. “W-who are The Partners?” I ask.

“Don’t play coy with me, Mirabella,” Giancarlo snaps. “Your brother’s head showed up in a box on my doorstep this morning.”

“What?” I gasp as I collapse into a chair. “Ezio’s dead?”

“Don’t act like you didn’t know. You gave away his location. And the man you’ve been feeding information to took his first opportunity to kill Ezio.”

I’m in shock. Not over Ezio’s death. But that I know it was Kilian. I have no doubt in my mind about that. And the fact he didn’t tell me. After spending the last two days with him makes my blood start to boil.

“What a surprise to find out a man that the whole world thinks is dead is actually alive,” Giancarlo purrs. “And the part that I find the most entertaining of it all. Something I should have seen years ago but brushed it off. Something that Dante only realized when he came to see you and saw Aria in person. That dead man is her father. You were fucking Kilian Bancroft when you lived in Dublin. And I guarantee he did it to find his way into our network. A child was an unfortunate byproduct. He obviously didn’t want it, which is why you left.”

My heart clenches at his heartless words. But I decide to give him some truth for once. “He didn’t know. Kilian never knew.” But I switch back to lying to save him. “And he died not knowing.”

“You can keep lying but I know he is alive. And I know you know he is alive. That burner phone gave it away, Mirabella. You shouldn’t have saved his name in there.”

Stupid, stupid me. But I never thought anyone would find it.

“Now you have a chance to redeem yourself to this family. Tell me where he is and I won’t do anything to harm you or your daughter.”

I grip the phone in my hand with white knuckles. “Do not threaten my daughter.” My voice is gravel as I speak into the phone.

“Mirabella, I don’t think you understand. Aria can be used against The Partners. To give us information we need. And don’t think The Partners won’t do something when they find out about her.” My heart is beating so hard in my chest, anxiety setting in. “Now all you need to do is turn him in and we won’t touch her.”

“She’s your family.”

“And I’ve killed family members before.” I can see his grin through the phone. “You have three days. If you fail to do as we say like last time, you can expect worse consequences than just your daughter going missing.”

He hangs up but I don’t let go of the phone. My hand is shaking. My mind is spinning. What the hell am I supposed to do?

“Mira, are you okay? You look like you are going to pass out.”

I didn’t even see Magda walk into the dining room. Didn’t feel her hand on my shoulder and forehead.

She pulls my phone out of my hand and sets it on the table. “Let me get you some water.”

She walks away and all I can do is stare at the floor. Shame and regret wash over me. I let Kilian back in, knowing it could turn deadly. But I never thought Aria would be thrown into the mix. She’s innocent. She’s just a kid. I can’t let him touch her.

“Drink this.”

I push Magda’s hand out of the way and stand up, grabbing my phone. The one good thing is that Giancarlo has no idea Kilian is here. In Cefalù. In my house.

I need to get him out of here.

I run to the back and pull the burner phone out of my purse. The phone rings and he doesn’t answer. My heart drops. What if Giancarlo was lying? What if he knows Kilian is here?

I end the call and dial again. But he still doesn’t answer.

I pull on my coat and grab my purse. I need to go home. I need to make sure he is alright. I need to get Aria from school.

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