Valentino didn’t dare glance over his shoulder and look at his woman—his wife. Marge was telling enough of the truth that it was the truth to her. Her voice rang with it. Worse, it would play right into Emme’s insecurities as a woman. Those terrible insecurities her mother had worked so hard to instill in her from the time she was a toddler. He wanted to wrap his hands around Marge’s neck and squeeze until there was no life left.
“He cast me aside just the way he’ll cast you aside the moment he has no more use for you. Right now, he’s got your family as allies, and he needs them, doesn’t he? Don’t you see? He’s desperate for allies. He can’t trust that many people, and your family is considered the sacred gold mine. I can’t believe he actually brought it off. The big investment. He hit pay dirt, didn’t he? Oh my God, Valentino, you did what no one else managed to do: you caught the elusive Emmanuelle fucking Ferraro.”
“Four minutes,” Luca said in his ear.
Valentino wasn’t certain he could last four minutes without strangling Marge. Maybe he should have one of the men put her to sleep. Vittorio had come up behind her. Mariko had also. Vittorio didn’t have an expression on his face, but Mariko was looking at him with open suspicion. He couldn’t blame her. Every word Marge said made sense.
There wasn’t the slightest stirring behind him as if Emmanuelle held herself very still. Damn it, they were past all of this. She knew how much he loved her. She had to know. Marge was striking out, trying to rip them apart, trying to find a way to hurt him, because she knew she was going to die and there was no way out for her.
Dario appeared out of nowhere. He walked with that predatory, jungle-cat way he had, stalking Marge, his eyes focused completely on her face. Val could see her attention instantly switch to him. Every hair stood up on her body. She looked scared to death. If the two men hadn’t been holding her up, she might have fallen. As it was, the smell of urine was suddenly strong in the room.
Dario’s eyebrow shot up. “Marge.” He said her name softly. Gently. Almost tenderly. “I don’t like the things you’re saying to Emme. You’re deliberately trying to hurt her. She’s someone I like, and I don’t like very many people. I’d watch what I say because I’m taking note and adding on to your days and nights of excruciating pain. You already deserve so much. Do you really want more?”
Marge shook her head over and over, sagging between the two men. Dario patted her cheeks and indicated the door. “Go quietly, Marge. Don’t give them any trouble. If they have to sedate you, the drug they use will make you very ill. That will just compound how you will feel when we have our little chat together.”
He stepped back.
Marge’s eyes were wild. She looked as if she was on drugs, her pupils blown, bouncing all over the place. “Emme. For God’s sake. Do you know what he’ll do to me? I don’t know where these girls are being held. I don’t know anything at all. I managed Miceli’s club for him. That’s all I did.”
Val nodded to the men holding Marge, and one produced a syringe. She screamed and tried kicking, but he avoided her swinging foot easily. The other man held her head while the first one plunged the needle into her neck. The drug didn’t take effect immediately, but her guards continued walking her to the door.
“One minute, sir,” Luca said.
“Everyone out,” Valentino said. “We’re going to blow the place, so make sure you’re all clear. Get out.”
Dario waited, eyes meeting his. Both men knew he was afraid to turn around and look at Emmanuelle. She was still there, right behind him. She hadn’t moved a muscle. Hadn’t changed position. All around them, the building was emptying, but his woman, Mariko, and her brothers remained. He knew her brothers were waiting to ensure Emme left.
Stefano was in front of him. He put one hand in the air and turned his finger in a circle. Instantly, the Ferraros were gone. Including his wife. He felt her absence. Technically, she was supposed to stay in the shadows. She was part of Stefano’s crew, not his. She wasn’t riding in his vehicle with him. They were raiding Miceli’s many businesses, and the Ferraros were going ahead of them. Emme was part of them.
Valentino cursed under his breath as he walked out of that hellhole with Dario. He just wanted to check in with his wife before she left. Make certain she was all right. Make certain they were all right. Was that too fucking much to ask? He walked across the parking lot, not in the least upset that they were going to take down the monstrosity of a club. The women had been removed from the cages and taken to the medical facility where they’d be taken care of before Val could send them into the rehabilitation programs. He would have to know who had families and who didn’t. Bernado would check into it.