Page 75 of Claimed By the Possessive Mafia Prince
SIENA
The music has started again, and people are trying to go on as though everything is normal, but it isn’t. I catch snippets of their conversations. “The Don shouldn’t…” Then they see me and go quiet, but that’s all I need.
As I put the pieces together, looking around at these slick men in their fine suits with gold jewelry gleaming everywhere, it seems obvious. It feels like I should’ve guessed this much sooner.
I finally find Rosy near the waterfall. She’s got her arms wrapped across her middle, and she’s staring into the water. Normally, she’s a figure who holds herself with pride, at least as long as I’ve known her. That’s not the case now.
She frowns at the men behind me, two mobbed-up bodyguards hovering like the angel and the devil on my shoulders. Though I suppose they’d both be the devil.
“Can you wait here?” I say to them. “I need to speak with Rosy alone.”
“Stay in our sight,” the big one says, staring at me blankly.
They back off a little, then I turn back to Rosy. She looks at the water, not at me, as though she doesn’t want to meet my gaze.
“Rosy, how did the power go out?”
“I don’t know,” she mutters, but I can tell she’s lying.
“Look at me and say that again.”
She won’t. She keeps staring into the water.
I take a step forward. “Rosy, I think you’re scared, and you know something. I can help you.”
“How?” she whispers.
“I’ve got a… friend who can help you. Dario–you know him, Vittorio’s son? He’s going to sort this out, okay? He’s going to make this right.”
I’m not sure if any of this is true, but I need to know what’s going on so I can save what’s left of this event. There’s a sour mood hanging over the entire party now, the good mood drained away.
“You saw who cut the power.”
“I didn’t…”
“I’m not asking you. I know you know. So, you might as well drop the act and just come clean. Who was it? Describe him to me.” When she doesn’t respond, I snap, “Was he tall? Full head of gray hair? Were his teeth straight, white, and noticeable, perhaps new or worked on? A gold watch on his wrist?”
With each follow-up question, she tightens her straitjacket grip around her own body.
“His name is Rocco,” I say.
She finally looks at me – sharply. “How do you know that?”
“Instinct,” I say, thinking about how strange he’s been acting, the smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
She shakes her head slowly. “You don’t understand…”
“They’re in the mob, and he threatened you because he’s the one who’s behind this mess, right? Right?”
“His nameisRocco,” she mutters.
“And he threatened you to cut the power and to sabotage this event.”
A quick nod.
“I didn’t say anything.” She stares at me pleadingly. “Okay? I said nothing.”
“I understand, Rosy.” I touch her arm softly. “I’m going to make this right.” I turn to the two big men. “I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your names.”
