for Raphael and his cousin to leave the church, but found them gone when they ventured inside to look for them. I should’ve remembered Raphael knows his way around the church better than I do.
I keep expecting Antonio to walk in and sit behind me, the way he used to, but the silence is my only friend. I promised myself this morning I wouldn’t hang my head and hide from the cross today like I have every other day, so I raise my head and stare at the replacement cross. If I’d had a gun with me the day of the funeral, I would’ve put a bullet in Raphael’s head in front of the entire congregation. I doubt the chief of police would’ve arrested me for it. He’d probably be glad this fight was finally over.
“Alexander has been blowing up my phone, wanting to know where you are.”
I should’ve heard Trey approaching, but I didn’t. Unlike Antonio, Trey sits beside me.
“If he knew me, he’d know I would be here.”
“He says he has a surprise for you, and that you need to get over to his place as soon as you can.”
I’ll just jump right on that, then, all because he said so. Yeah, right.
“His surprise can wait.”
Alexander can most certainly wait. Glimpsing the cross, blood red fills my vision, and I blink rapidly to make it go away.
“Raphael has a lot to answer for. He must feel how I feel.”
“What are you thinking?”
“We’re going to attack—an eye for an eye. We’re going after Leo Marocchi.”
“You want to go after his bloodline?” His surprise too much for my liking.
Turning my head to face him, I say, “Are we not at war, Trey? Besides, he’s the easiest target.”
“Yes, but you’ve never given orders to go after his blood before.”
“Raphael’s never gone after anyone this close to me before. Make the arrangements.”
“Once I make the call, there’s no going back. This will escalate like never before.”
“Then I’ll be one step closer to achieving everything my father never could.”
Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on his knees and hangs his head.
“Raphael will come for you like never before, and he won’t stop until he’s got you. You’re going to have to go into hiding and let me and the soldiers carry out your orders.”
Frustration ripples through me. Standing, I look down at him as he looks up at me. “I’ll do no such thing. Camarco’s don’t hide, and you suggest it again, I’ll have you shot.”
Suddenly, a visit to the mayor’s mansion is more tempting than listening to Trey wanting to hide me away like a fragile child who needs protecting.
His footsteps grow louder behind me, and he grabs my arm and spins me around.
“Mila, you’re the fiercest woman I know. I’d rather have you at my side than any man walking this earth. But you know how I feel about you, and you can’t blame me for wanting to keep you safe.”
Dropping my eyes from his softening gaze, I focus on the angel statue to our side.
“And that’s why you’ll never have me the way you want me. You still don’t understand that I am who I am because I don’t let others fight for me. I may not pull the trigger on our enemy, but never forget their lives end because I say so. If I pull away from the fight, it’ll be because there’s a reason to, not because a man is blinded by love for me and thinks he knows better.”
He certainly knows better than to show an act of intimacy toward me, yet he brings his hand up and strokes the back of his knuckles over my cheek.
“I don’t underestimate you, Mila, I want you to succeed.”
“If I were my father, would you advise him to hide?”
“Yes, I would.”
Stepping out of his embrace, I hold my head high.
“Then he would’ve had you shot and your body thrown into the river. Camarco’s don’t hide from a fight.”
Walking around him, he follows me out, but wisely keeps his distance until we’re in the car. Instructing the driver to take me to the mayor’s mansion, I sit and mull over my move after Leo’s body is found, riddled with bullets.
Raphael will come for me, and I’ll be more than ready for him.
Alexander isn’t alone when I’m shown into his office. The priest from Father Antonio’s funeral is seated on the small couch, sipping on a glass of red wine. It’s a little early for wine in my opinion, but I don’t