Page 18 of Salvatore

I sit a little taller. Breathe a little faster.

The mafia’s presence hereisa coincidence.

It has nothing to do with me.

I release all the painfully thick air in my lungs and send out mental words of gratitude to a god I don’t believe in. My leg starts to jolt again, this time in relief.

I didn’t bring the underworld to Liv’s door. Butholy fuck,does Liv know her dad did?

I glance at her staring at the screen. She had to have provided the files for the montage. But is she aware of the sinister connection?

More words are spoken by the celebrant. Music is played. Then the funeral draws to a close and Liv takes the lead to start down the aisle.

Allison follows.

I question my sanity before I stand and do the same, walking past Salvatore and his family without acknowledging them, my senses on alert as I wait to be attacked, assaulted, abducted.

Thankfully, nobody makes a move.

I escape outside, the warm midday breeze feeling like freedom.

“I need to greet everyone and let them pay their respects.” Liv continues toward the courtyard. “You two can leave whenever you want.”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Allison answers for me.

“She’s right.” I swallow down my apprehension. “We’re staying until you’re ready to go.” I might just hide inside while I wait.

“Do you need something to eat?” Allison asks. “Coffee? Cake? Water?”

“No.” Liv cringes as mourners trail out of the chapel and make their way toward her. “I’ll get something later.”

Allison and I escape into the wake room where catering staff have laid out trays of food on numerous tables along with hot and cold beverages.

I hang by the glass doors as Liv greets her father’s friends and relatives while Allison helps herself to the spread.

I take note of each person that leaves the chapel—every old man, sniffling female, and unfamiliar guest until the warm light of the midday sun kisses the disgustingly handsome features of Salvatore Costa.

He stands tall and confident as he takes his place in line with those wanting to express their sorrows to my best friend. Himandhis much older uncle, Lorenzo Cappelletti—the head of the East Coast freaking mafia.

I should go out there. Should protect her. But I’m sure she’s ignorant to who they are, and remaining that way is for the best.

I bite my lip as they inch closer, the line before them dwindling with most moving inside for food until the old man stands before Liv.

Everything in me is attuned to her, ready and waiting to run out there if she so much as flinches. Instead, she greets the murder boss with pained eyes and exchanges a few words while seeming distracted by someone else out of my view farther along the building.

She isn’t scared or unsettled. She doesn’t need me to storm out there and become a human shield… I don’t think.

Then it’s Salvatore’s turn.

I’m on edge as he talks to her, my annoyance returning when whatever he says has her flashing a half-hearted smile.

“Hey.” Allison moves to stand beside me. “You should get something to eat and drink before the hoard steals it.” She raises a filled white coffee mug in one hand, her other carrying a plate with a square slice of chocolate cake. “You know the drill—the old ladies will start stashing food in their purses if they think it’s going to go to waste.”

I scoff a faint laugh. “Yeah, I know.” I glance back at Liv, the murderous criminals no longer in sight.

Shit.I scan the courtyard and the inside crowd, unable to find them.

“Is everything okay?” Al asks.

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