I object.
My blood runs cold. Ice takes residence in the pit of my stomach when I look at Massimo and see his features darken with rage.
Oh my God. No.
Jacob’s cries caught the attention of everyone in the church. He wouldn’t know what danger he’s put himself in by doing this. Or maybe he did. He’s my best friend. He’d do anything for me, no matter what.
He runs in, and the men rush him with guns. I let go of Massimo’s hand and run with everything inside me, throwing myself in front of Jacob.
“No, please, don’t kill him!” I wail.
Jacob grabs my arm, his face p
anicked. Terrified. More terrified than I’ve ever seen him. He’s holding on to me so hard it hurts.
“You’re in danger, Emelia. If you stay with him, you’ll be in danger,” he crie. A stone drops in the pit of my stomach.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“Leave him. Run away. He and his Syndicate won’t be able to save you.”
My God.
Syndicate? He knows about the syndicate.
I don’t get to ask him anything else. Someone grabs me from behind. It’s Manni. Him again.
The guards position their guns again as Massimo and his brothers step forward.
“Get him out of here,” Massimo commands, and the guards take hold of Jacob.
“Run away, Emelia, run far away,” Jacob cries as the guards take him away, back the way he came. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
His voice echoes through the church along with the whispers of the shocked guests. Jacob’s voice is all I hear until the large oak door closes and sucks out the rest of the sound.
I love you…
It feels like the continuation of that conversation we were having at the diner. That’s what he wanted to tell me. Now that he has— in the worst place possible—what will happen now?
Massimo looks at me, and I see the rage again. His hands are fisted by his sides. He’s not a man you embarrass the way Jacob just did. No one would dare, but Jacob tried to warn me I was in danger. Danger would come for me if I stayed with Massimo.
“Take her home,” Massimo orders Manni, and before I can blink, I’m carried away.
My heart squeezes when Massimo walks ahead with his brothers following, down the empty trail Jacob and the guards left on. He’s following them.
Oh my God...
What will Massimo do to Jacob?
“Massimo, no!” I shout. My eyes water.
He doesn’t look back. He continues walking like the angel of death, his three brothers in tow.
“Massimo…” I cry.
He’s going to hurt him.
I’m sure he will…