Page 79 of Tormented Diamonds
The man who killed my family and tried to take my life twice.
“Mrs. Marchesi?”
I look up, my vision cloudy. “No. I’ve never heard that name before.”
“Really?” Gibbs tilts his head, disbelief plastered across his ruddy face. “Because Flynn disappeared from Providence just days before the car crash that took Leo Castellini’s life. The same crash that nearly took yours. I’ve read the report. That wasn’t an accident. Open your eyes, Mrs. Marchesi. This is how the mob operates. Your husband is part of it, and you’ll be next if you don’t take the lifeline we’re offering you.”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. This so-called “lifeline” is the same trap they set for Gianni with his father—douse him in kerosene and hand him a match. But there’s one glaring difference they didn’t count on…
My faith in Gianni.
I flip the card against my palm and curl my fingers around it. “Not only am I unfamiliar with the names you’ve mentioned, but I assure you, my husband played no part in my father’s death, including leaving this so-called card at the scene. Furthermore,” I say, adrenaline driving up my voice another octave. “If you had any concrete evidenceagainst either of us, we would’ve already been arrested.”
Gibbs drops his palms on the table. “Maybe we’re giving you the opportunity to do the right thing.”
Or to hang myself.
Everything in that folder is circumstantial at best. Their desperation has them throwing handfuls of shit at the wall to see what sticks. They can’t go after him directly, so they’re taking back roads. While I’m insulted they think I’d entertain their offer, I need to keep them dangling on the line long enough to let Gianni know.
“Am I being charged?” I hold my breath, waiting for another arrow to fly. When they say nothing, I push back from the table and rise to my feet. “Then, we’re done here.”
“You have twenty-four hours to decide,” he warns crisply. “After that, the offer expires, and we’re declaring war on both of you.”
“Get in line,” I mumble, stalking toward the door.
Cupping my hands under the faucet, I splash another handful of water on my face. It doesn’t help. I’m still replaying every minute of what happened in that room, counting every punishing thud of my heart as it slams against my ribcage.
Declan Flynn.
Even though I already knew his name, it threw me to hear it spoken so casually. It sounded so jarringly normal. I guess I imagined a more sinister name for the monster who tormented my days and haunted my nights.
I wonder if knowing his name all those years ago would’ve changed anything, or if it would’ve only amplified the fear. It’s the supernatural feel of monsters that keepsthem in the dark. It’s when they’re revealed to be normal, day-walking humans that the real terror sets in.
Bowing my head, I watch the water drip from my chin into the sink. “Declan Flynn,” I whisper. “You’re not my monster anymore. I’m yours.”
An insistent vibration has me wiping my hand on my jeans and dragging my phone from my back pocket. I don’t know why I’m bothering to read the text. I already know what it says.
Where are you?
I’m surprised it took this long for him to lose his shit.
Stopped by the bathroom. I’m on my way.
Three dots bounce on the screen before his paranoia strikes a new chord.
Leave through the side door. Got a bad feeling about the front.
Taz’s “bad feelings” had us circling the block for half an hour earlier for no good reason. Still, after what happened with Leo and my dad, I trust his instinct over mine.
What happened to “one way in, one way out?”
There’s a momentary pause, and then…
Do you want a ride home, or not?
I roll my eyes. I swear it takes all of twenty-four hours for new recruits in Gianni’s inner circle to start acting like him.Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I turn the water off and stare into the mirror above the sink. They weren’t kidding when they said tragedy changes you. I don’t even resemble Becca Brennan anymore. Becca Marchesi is like the dirty side of a flipped coin.
I want the woman in the mirror to tell me this thirst for blood doesn’t make me a villain. I want it to be okay to be a loyal, intelligent, compassionate woman who steps over lines when she has to. I want her to tell me I can have it all.
