CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: WINTER
I'vealwaysthoughtthat Maximo was the devil, but as Giovanni looks at me, I realize I was incorrect.
I had the wrong brother.
Because Giovanni is about to reign hell down on me and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.
The man that I was just dancing with is now on the ground, holding the back of his head. I’m just thinking that he’s lucky that it’s the only damage he’s procured when Enzo appears. His lips are pressed into a thin line as he pulls the man off the ground.
No one tries to stop him as he drags the man off the dance floor.
Please don’t let them kill him.
Giovanni doesn't say a single word, his hand wrapping around my wrist. His grip is tight and as he pulls me, I know there’s no point in trying to break through,
The night air is cool and as he drags me into it, I shiver for more reasons than one. There’s a parked car waiting just outside, and Givoanni throws me in it, not caring about all the eyes on us. My body jolts as I slam against the seat, thankful it's made of cloth. I push myself up onto my hands. I look in the front seat to find Vito seating in the driver’s seat. He only glances back at me before quickly redirecting his gaze.
Giovanni slams my door shut before opening the passenger side door and getting in.
I remain silent as Vito eases the car onto the road.
The tension in the car is so thick that it nearly suffocates me.
I pinch my lips together, saying a silent prayer, but I’m still more than a little buzzed and I’m pretty sure that I mistakenly sent the prayer to the devil himself, because at that moment Giovanni looks back at me, the disgust on his lips clear.
He turns away from me abruptly, saying something in Italian to Vito. Vito responds in the same language, and I’ve never wished I knew Italian more than I do in this moment.
Vito drives slow and I think maybe he's trying to put off my death. I silently thank him for that.
When we finally pull up to the house, my blood goes cold and I sober up slightly as my heart races in my chest.
Giovanni storms out of the car.
Vito climbs out, opening my door and holding it open as he waits for me to climb out.
Fuck.
I step out, cringing as I look up at Vito. The look on his face is one of pure disappointment and it does bad things to my stomach. I drop my head, letting my hands cross behind my back. “I’m sorry,” I mutter, my words slightly slurred.
“I know you are,” he says with a sigh. “But it won’t save you and neither will I.”
I’m very aware that he says he won’t save me, not that he can’t and it makes me feel even worse. I nod my head, still looking at the ground as I make my way to the compound. I lift my gaze as I cross into the house.
And the first person I see is Maximo. He’s leaning against the stairs, a smirk on his face. “It seems you’ve really fucked up now, Mouse.” He sounds more entertained by the idea than he should, and it makes bile rise in my throat.
“Come,” Giovanni barks, coming in from the door that leads to the dining room.
Fuck, did he go get a knife from the kitchen to kill me?
I take a gulp, following him in the direction of his office. I feel Vito following behind us, but Maximo doesn’t. I’m surprised when Giovanni stops before we can get to his office, turning to the door that leads to the basement.
Holy fucking shit.
I take a step back on instinct and Vito’s hands wrap around my arms. “Don’t run,” he whispers into my ear.
I can’t offer him a reply, because only a fucking idiot wouldn’t run.
Giovanni has punished Maximo in this basement and the man had seemed ever crazier than usual when he came out, and Vito wants me to relax?