Page 71 of The Diávolos: Part Two
“You’re lucky I didn’taccidentallyshift my rifle to the left and catch you right in the middle of the head,” I spit. I pick up the Glock and point it at him. Everyone else around the table does the same, including all the other Godfathers. “I repeat. Leave or you’ll be dragged out.”
He looks around the table, realizing he has no support. “This isn’t the end of this, Evander.” Philip takes a last swig of his drink. “Andyou.” He points to Aria with a snarl, and she winces. “We’re going to have a talk when you get home.”
Dion nearly growls at him, creating a barrier between them with his arms.
Philip and his men leave, the door slamming closed after them.
Several tense minutes later, everyone is back to normal. As if convinced by the pathetic outburst we’ve just seen, the Godfathers in unison give us their full approval—we have their support to kill Peter and shut down the Sisterhood.
“My apologies for the distraction. Now that we are all in agreement, I expect you all to fight for what’s right. I will most likely have to call upon your clans for assistance when we close the establishment.” They all bob their heads.
Happy with their compliance, I wish them to enjoy the rest of the night.
My focus then shifts to Angelica. “Are you okay,angeloúdi mou?”
Her eyes fix on me. “Yes. I’m sorry I brought up your family like that earlier.”
“It’s alright. It had to be said for them to understand.” I shift my gaze to her body. “You did great, Angelica. You spoke to them like a true leader. It turned me on a little.”
“Evander,” she scolds, her cheeks turning cherry red. “But thank you. It felt exhilarating.”
“You deserve all the respect, wife,” I respond, placing a tender kiss on her hand. Angelica's skin feels warm as I press gentle pecks up her arm and her posture slackens in the chair. But as if she suddenly realizes she is giving in to me, she pulls away and an invisible barrier comes between us. It stands tall, and I find myself trying to peer over the impenetrable wall, searching for a way back to Angelica.
Yearning wraps around my heart. But I hold on to the belief and sliver of hope that the wounds that are holding us back will heal, that her fortress will open its doors to me.
“Don’t call me your wife,” she snaps.
I can’t help my surprised wince at the force of her anger. “I beg to differ, Angelica. As of exactly three hours ago, you’re my wife,” I grind out. My chest tightens, and I can feel my face heat with frustration. There’s stubborn, then there’s Angelica. Every fiber of my being is on edge. From finding out about Peter being responsible for the death of my family, the stress of managing my business, and the constant ache in my heart from the fear that Angelica will never forgive me, I’m ready to explode. My jaw clenches so tightly, it feels as if my teeth might shatter under the pressure.
Angelica notices my erratic breathing and jittery leg. She places her hand on my thigh, and I search for a way to anchor myself before I succumb to the overwhelming tide of rage.
“Evander. Look, I’m sorry, okay? I’m just having a hard time with all of this.” Angelica’s voice pierces through the veil.
“I’m not having a fucking great time, either, Angelica,” I spit. The desire to lash out pulses through me. “Don’t act like you’re the only one suffering.”
My venomous tone causes her to recoil, but I don’t care. It’s time she realizes she’s not the only one whose life has been sent off track.
“I might’ve royally fucked up with you, Angelica, but I didn’t force you here.” I seethe. “You agreed to marry me for your own gain. I told you my intentions, how I feel.You’rethe one with the problem. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get some fucking air.” With that, I push myself off my chair and stalk out of the restaurant through the back door, leaving Angelica speechless. Xander and Dion notice me and follow.
“Xan, stay back and watch my wife,” I bark, and he nods.
As soon as I feel the cool air, my body relaxes. I pull a cigarette case out of my back pocket and take one out, wordlessly offering one to Dion.
A heavy silence lingers in the air, and the tension is still very much present within me. My hands tremble as I bring the cigarette to my mouth. The first drag fills my lungs with a bittersweet elixir as the nicotine rushes through my bloodstream. It goes straight to my head, and I exhale slowly, letting out all the pent-up emotions.
I lean back against the brick wall. “Angelica told me about my family yesterday.”
“And you still went through with the marriage?” he asks, surprised.
“Angelica is mine regardless of her father’s doings.”
Dion takes a puff. “I can’t believe that son of a bitch did it.”
I nod and take another inhale of smoke. “I should’ve known.”
My uncle hid the truth from me all those years, knowing I wouldn’t let it go until Peter was dead. I don’t understand his reasoning, since my father was his brother. Didn’t he want to getrevenge? Ignatius must’ve been planning something bigger, but I’ll never know now.
I take another pull of my cigarette, grateful for the temporary escape it’s giving me. “I searched every crevice and interrogated every suspect trying to find who had ordered the killing, and Angelica found out in one afternoon from her fucking housekeeper. I can’t believe it.”
