Page 122 of Destined for the Devil
"I had no expectations the day you came to see me. I figured you just wanted to talk about your mom and dad. That was the first time you reached out in all these years. But then…then you told me you knew who Roman was, and it shocked me to my very core."
My stomach dropped into my feet. This was aboutRoman.This wasn’t about me or my father. What could John possibly want with Roman!?
"I didn't tell you I knew who Roman was." I spoke quickly, trying to reject it, but John’s smile widened.
"I admire you trying to protect your man, but we’re in too deep now. I know everything.” Violent chills accosted all of me at his words.I know everything.The glass trembled in my shaking hand, and John noticed, reaching behind me for something. “It’s cold here. Cover yourself so you don’t get sick.”
He tossed the wool blanket in my lap and sat back down, perfectly at ease.
"What were the chances that you would meet him, hm? Like one in a billion, and yet, here you are, with a ring on your finger, hoping to marry your parents' killer." John pointed to my hand that held the glass, but I couldn’t look anywhere but at him, lost for words and thoughts.
My intuition was telling me that this wasbad. It was already bad when I had been locked up in that room for all this time, but now…now something terrible would happen, I was sure of it.
"You see,” John said, folding one leg over the other, “the problem with the Russians is that they always try to play by some kind of rules. Their own rules, usually. Rules that they make up as they go.” He smiled like he was reminiscing.
“What Roman should have done was kill me too. And anyone else with knowledge of what happened between him and your father. But he didn’t touch me. Out of pity, or mercy, or maybe so he could sleep better at night, I don’t know. And that was a very big mistake on his part.”
I brought the glass to my lips, having no clue what was in it. ButIwas inthis.The sweet liquor burned my throat and my inhibitions.
“So you kidnap me to make Roman angry enough to kill you this time?” My own words surprised me. I hadn’t eaten in God knows how long, and one sip of alcohol went straight to my head. “You’ve known me for forever, John. What’s your plan here?”
My own questions barely made sense, but I craved more information, and John was talking about such random, hypothetical shit.
"Neither you nor Roman know who I really am.” Slowly, the kind sparkle in his eyes morphed into something sinister. “I'm not John Clemens. That’s my American name. My real name is Giovanni Pietoso.” I stared at John, barely able to make sense of what he was telling me.
Did my father know that? Was he aware that his closest business partner and friend had a different name? And what does his name have to do with anything?
“Pietoso was once a very powerful last name, Isla. My father was the underboss of the biggest criminal organization in the world—The Cosa Nostra.” I blinked at him, having no clue what that was. “The Italian Mafia,” he clarified, seeing as I couldn’t produce a reaction. “But I never wanted to be involved, Isla. I never wanted any part of that. The death, the crime, the sins. But you can’t fight the blood that runs in your veins, can you?”
I was desperately trying to process what any of this meant. Was my dad part of the Italian mafia too? Was there some kind of unwritten rule? An eye for an eye?!
“When my father was killed, I disappeared. I changed my name, I learned to speak English without an accent, and my fair complexion helped me blend in seamlessly into the quiet American life. I escaped that world, but, little Isla, that world never escaped me.” He shook his head, not the least bit regretful.
“That's why your dad and I made such a good team. I knew of all his dark and shady dealings, and I always fully supported him. I wasn't just a director; I was his partner too. I just didn’t want to get personally involved, so Dave did all the dirty work."
John’s voice was even and calm, like he was telling me a story about something mundane and boring, not about how he was the son of an Italian mafia boss!
"But Roman didn't know any of that.” John sipped his drink, and I did too, trying to fill the shock with something. “He didn't do his homework. Or it's possible that hethoughthe did but couldn’t find anything. I covered all the tracks. No one would ever link John Clemens to Giovanni Pietoso, unless they knew how to dig very deep.”
John looked right past me into the large window, speaking quietly now. “Except the meaning of my last name. Clemens and Pietoso mean the same thing: merciful. And I am Isla. I am merciful. Which is why I won't touch you. I don't want to and don't need to.” John refocused on me and leaned on his knees with his elbows to be closer, making sure I understood his next message. “You’re here because I’m going to trade you for Roman."
The words stabbed me right in the heart. T…trade me for Roman?
The love of my life. We were separated again, but this time, hope that I would see him again began to slowly decay inside me. John wasn’tJohnanymore. AndGiovannididn’t seem to be the negotiating type.
"Why…why do you need Roman?" I asked, though my voice came out thin and useless. I was finally beginning to understand—this was so much worse than it had seemed five minutes ago. John leaned back, still smiling like we were chatting over coffee.
"Because Roman destroyed my world, Isla. Dave and I were riding high—we had it all, and Roman blew it all to hell. I’m going to take all his money—not because I need it—but out of principle.” John paused to make sure I could digest all his words.
“But besides his money…I’m going to take his life. He’s impossible to get to, butyou—” John shook his finger at me happily, “—you’re his weakness. You’re a godsend, Isla!” John’s eyes sparkled with such happiness. “The moment you said his name, I knew right away that you knew him personally. There’s no other way you could’ve found out who he was. Roman’s secretive and careful, but you’re the vulnerable spot.You’re his weakness.That’s why he has you under twenty-four-hour security. That’s why you’re always being watched. Because you’re the only thing he cares about. And he will do anything for you.”
John lifted his glass in a toast, but I was a mere statue in front of him, going over all his words.I’m going to take his life.
“I had you followed. I knew you left with him the day after I saw you. I left those pictures in your littlefuck-villa.”
My breath caught in my chest at this revelation. I was so cold, but my cheeks burned in embarrassment, and while there were so many issues flying at me all at once, I could only focus on one—John saw me naked. Ew, the disgust twisted my face, but John didn’t bat an eye.
“I’ve been getting updates every step of the way. You two are obviously disgustingly in love—it’s pathetic, actually…but it works in my favor. Roman will give himself up to save you without even a second thought. And that’s exactly what I need—for him to knock on my door. You don’t even realize what a precious pawn you are, Isla! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
