Page 5 of Savage Union
My mother's voice reaches me, fragile but determined. "We will be fine." I look at her—really look at her. She's broken, standing in a pool of my father's blood, but her eyes tell me to go with him.
I swallow hard. "Let them go, and I'll do whatever you want."
Vito's expression doesn't change. "You're in no position to make demands."
"Fine." My voice catches. "But please let them go. They haven't done anything wrong."
He ignores me, already walking away. "Take Caterina to the car. Dario, clean this up."
I try to break free, but it's useless. The man throws me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. My punches and scratches might as well be raindrops for all he reacts. We reach the door where Vito turns to face us, his eyes cold.
"I swear to god, if you don't fucking behave, I'll put a bullet in your mother and sister." The threat freezes the blood in my veins. It's not a bluff—I can see it in his eyes.
"Put me down," I tell the man. Surprisingly, he complies. I look up at Vito, swallowing my pride. "Vito, please let me say goodbye to my family." I force my voice into submission, hating how weak it sounds. Men like Vito only respond to one thing—obedience.
"Don Vito," he corrects, sending a chill down my spine.
I take a deep breath. "Could May I please say goodbye to my family, Don Vito?"
"You have thirty seconds."
I don't waste a moment, catching Sofia in my arms. "It's going to be okay. Do whatever they tell you. I need you to behave." I tighten the hug and turn my mouth to her ear. "I'll break you and Mamma free. Just keep your head down," I whisper, so softly I barely hear it myself.
"Okay," she responds, her voice small, broken.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
I move to my mother, feeling time slipping away. "Mamma."
"My sweet girl." Her arms wrap around me, safe and familiar.
"It's going to be okay. I promise." The lie tastes bitter.
"Be careful. He isn't a man you want to cross," she warns unnecessarily. I know exactly what kind of man he is.
"It's time," the man interrupts.
"I love you, Mamma."
"I love you too, my sweet daughter," she replies. One last squeeze, and I force myself to let go.
Outside, a fleet of black Range Rovers waits with men dressed in all black. Did Vito expect a bloodbath? Why kill my father? What did Vito mean about my father planning to kill him? The questions swirl as I'm pushed into one of the SUVs.
The city blurs past in streaks of light and shadow, but my focus is fixed on Vito. His chocolate eyes burn with intensity, demanding obedience without a saying a word spoken. The way he looks at me when I enter the SUV sends ice down my spine. Despite his calm exterior, I can feel anger radiating from him in waves.
We approach Central Park Tower on Billionaire's Row—the tallest residential building in New York City. Fitting, I suppose. As the driver opens the door, Vito is still on his cell phone. His distraction might be my only chance to escape, but before I can move, a man hauls me from the SUV, his grip bruising. Vito isn't the type to leave anything to chance.
The building's interior matches its impressive exterior. Vito walks ahead, stopping at an elevator that opens as if summoned. He steps aside, letting me enter first. The elevator ride stretches into eternity, the silence crushing.
"Do you know why you're here?" I don't answer. What could I possibly say? My throat is sandpaper, my tongue leaden with fear. His gaze pins me in place, suffocating.
"You're here because you're the key to something bigger than yourself. Something bigger than your father's need to take me out," he explains.
"Is that why you murdered him?" The words escape before I can stop them.
"He was a dead man walking," Vito states as the elevator opens directly into a private residence. He steps out, not checking if I follow.
