Page 54 of The Sting of Love
“I appreciate that, but I have family who could be in danger.” Every time I think of Lurlene, my heart squeezes. I can’t believe that I’ve practically gone from the frying pan into the flames of hell. There I was, starting my journey worried about William and my paintings, and all that he’d taken away from me. Now I’m worried for my life and Lurlene’s too.
“I understand. Donny will make sure your aunt is safe. This is a bad situation we’re trying to fix. Please, can you just try to trust what we’re doing and trust that we’re doing our best to ensure your safety?”
Trust.There’s that damn word again.
“I don’t want to stay here.”
His face tenses. “I’m sorry, my dear, but you’ll have to.”
That’s it. No choice, no option, no further discussion.
“I want to speak to my aunt.”
“That would not be wise, Willow. I can’t allow you to do that.”
Shit. This is such shit. I stare back at him until he looks away and returns his attention to eating his food.
I can’t just stay here and be expected to trust people I don’t know. Dangerous people. Armand has that cool edge I sensed with Donny. The same edge that alerted me to danger that I chose to ignore. I can’t believe this is happening to me, and yet the sting of betrayal is what cuts me deep.
Once again, I’m mad at myself. I allowed myself to fall for a guy who I couldn’t be with. And damn it, this time somehow feels worse to me.
I don’t care where we are, and I don’t care what any of them say. I have to be sensible and try to leave.Escape. I’ll contact Lurlene, and then I’ll get myself back to LA. I never even got the chance to warn her that she might be in danger.
I have to try and leave this place. I’ve already been foolish. I won’t be careless too.
Chapter Sixteen
Donny
“Donny, I want these people eliminated,” Claudius says through the phone.
Although his voice comes across with a bit of static on the line, I can feel his power and authority. He’s always been like that for as long as I’ve known him.
“I hear you, boss,” I answer and glance at Alex as he stares at me.
We just sat down for a break on the upper deck of the yacht when Claudius called me.
“Donny, if you want to prove to me that you can handle business in Italia, you do this. It’s a big job.”
“I can handle it,” I assure him, but I know I don’t sound sure. It’s not because I lack confidence; it’s more to do with the fact that I’m worried about Willow. I spoke to Pa earlier, and he told me that while she came down to eat, she was talking about leaving.
“Don’t disappoint me. Get rid of the scum and get everything back in order. You did good firing the staff. You can’t work with men you can’t trust. At the same time, we need people there to run the place. Get some temps in, and if they’re good, keep them. Get your father to help if he’s able to, and anyone else you see fit.”
At least he’s talking to me like he still trusts me to handle the affairs here.
“I will, and thanks.”
“I want a report of the Amadeo situation by nightfall. His relatives here have pulled out of business on his word. They’ve received threats. I haven’t actioned anything yet. I’ll let you know what I decide. I want him dead, Donny, and Mario too. They both screwed with us in a way that requires death.”
“I got it. I’ll provide you with a full report tonight.”
“Eight o’clock sharp, not a minute later.” He hangs up, and I release the breath I was holding.
Alex straightens up, and my shoulders slump. I don’t even feel like taking a break now. I feel like I’m wasting time.
We started looking for Amadeo at the crack of dawn, and surprise, surprise, we came up with nothing. It’s just gone midday, and we plan to continue our search for as long as we can.
“Was he mad?” Alex asks.
