Page 58 of The Mafia's Captive

“Are we going out or not?” Jesse says.

“Wait here for a sec,” I tell her. “I’ll be back.” She doesn’t do as I say. She follows me to the living room, where we find Rob and Sal arguing.

“What’s going on?” They both turn around at the sound of my voice.

“You see,” Sal says pointing at us, “she’s with her friend. She knows what’s going on.”

“What is going on?” I turn to Jesse, but her face is cryptic and turn back to Rob. “What’s he talking about?”

“Apparently, the boss called and said you should leave with Sal. I don’t believe him.” I turn my gaze to Sal. There’s something about him that I’ve never liked, and it’s apparent now more than ever. Something at the back of my mind, or maybe it’s Jesse change in mood, telling me not to trust him. “Did Dante say anything to you?” I ask Rob. He shakes his head.

“Dante said I should stay here, so I’m going to stay,” I say to Sal.

Sal looks exasperated. “I don’t have time for this. I’m doing this for your sake. If it weren’t for the boss asking me to take care of you, I wouldn’t be here right now. I have better things to do than protect Saccone’s daughter.” Jesse’s eyes widen.

I cross my arms. “I’m staying here.”

Sal looks down, shaking his head. “Fuck it, you gave me no choice.”

The next moment happens so quickly and yet so slow. Sal takes out his gun and shoots Rob in the head. I can’t do anything but scream as I stare at Rob’s lifeless body crumble to the floor. Then Sal marches over to me and knocks me in the head with the butt of his gun. The last thing I hear is Jesse screaming.

19

As soon as she leaves, I immediately want her back. Even when she sees me as a vile human being, more than she did before, I still want her. Not only that, but having her close to me gives me assurance that she’s okay. But what’s done is done. Regardless of how I feel, it’s better this way. I look around the garden for Gio. He’s at the head of the table next to his wife, who’s receiving gifts from the guests. I make a beeline towards the long queue and wait my turn. After a few minutes, Rico joins me. “I can’t find Nico. Have you seen him?”

“He’s—”

“And your girlfriend?” Rico, wiggling his eyebrows, adds, “Suspicious, don’t you think?”

“They’ve gone back home together.”

“What? Why?”

“I made him go. Nico heard Saccone is about to crash the wedding.”

“Oh. Do you think he’s looking for her?”

“I don’t know yet. It could be a coincidence, or it could be he knows I have her. Either way, I made sure she was gone, so we don’t have to find out if it’s the latter.”

“Good thinking.”

The line is moving fast enough and in no time, I’m standing in front of the bride and groom. They make a beautiful, picturesque couple. Like models in wedding catalogue. They also look like they don’t want to be here. Why they’ve agreed to it still makes no sense to me, but it’s a good thing that they did. I feel like I owe them for their sacrifice. “Congratulations,” I say to both of them and I kiss the bride on the cheek. I hand her the envelope. Gio is impassive. “Thank you.”

“What is it?” she asks.

“A deed to your new home. It’s the least I could do.”

She seems genuinely surprised and happy. “Thank you.”

“You didn’t have to.” Gio says.

“I did. It’s your wedding. You deserve a gift from your brother.”

“It’s a wonderful gift,” she says. “Besides, if we don’t like it, we can sell it and split the profits.” Behind her are two boxes with envelopes. One, a small pile and the other a much bigger pile. She places the envelope in the smaller pile. She must be separating the big gifts from the small ones. Smart woman. Gio will have his hands full if he’s not careful.

“Where’s Corina,” Gio asks.

I look around. There’s no one behind me except for Rico. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” I pull him to the side, away from his bride’s keen ear. “What’s going on?” I can’t hide my anxiety from him, it seems.

---