nose, blood splattering everywhere. But he didn’t look fazed. Instead, his lip curled into a sneer.
“It was me, you know?” he spat. “I did it. I killed Lucia.”
A chill rolled through the air as we all realized what he’d just confessed.
“You lie.” My father advanced toward us, dark energy rippling off him. “She left.” His voice cracked with pain, matching the vise around my heart.
He’d killed her.
My own uncle had taken my mother’s life?
What nightmare was this?
“She didn’t leave.” Vincenzo didn’t show even an ounce of remorse. “She found out what I’d done and threatened to tell you. Always so loyal,” he said.
“You’re telling me you killed my wife?” My father was shaking, anger radiating from him, making the air around us crackle. “I’ll fucking gut you and feed you to the fish.” My father went to attack, but a gunshot went off and a hole blew right through Vincenzo’s skull.
We all looked at Enzo who stood as still as a statue, not even an ounce of emotion in his eyes as he stared at his father’s dead body.
“You good, son?” My father walked over and took the pistol from his hands.
“Better than him.” His eyes were black. Soulless.
This was bad. Real fucking bad.
“What do you want us to do with the body?” Michele asked.
“Burn him for all I care.” Enzo stalked out of the room.
“Go,” my father ordered me. “Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
I gave him a tight nod and took off. But when I got outside, Enzo was gone.
And so was his car.
Arianne
“Do you think he’ll be okay?” I asked Nicco as we cuddled in bed. It was two days after Nicco had returned from the cabin, his face pale and hands trembling, and fallen into my arms.
I hadn’t asked what had happened.
I hadn’t needed to.
Vincenzo was gone.
Enzo was fatherless.
And everyone in Antonio’s most inner circle needed to learn how to adjust to life after Vincenzo’s betrayal.
But then Nicco had told me about Vincenzo’s final confession. He’d killed Nicco and Alessia’s mom when she’d discovered her brother-in-law’s betrayal. She wasn’t gone. She was dead. Nicco had broken in my arms that night and I’d comforted him the only way I knew how—with my body, heart, and soul.
“He just needs some time,” Nicco said. “His dad wasn’t exactly a doting father growing up but he was still his dad.”
“I can’t even imagine how he must be feeling. Nora’s going out of her mind with worry. He won’t answer any of her calls.”
“She should probably back off, give him some space.”
“This is Nora we’re talking about...” And she didn’t know the entire story.
Nicco rolled me onto my side so we were face to face. “They’re our friends and I know you’re worried, I am too, but what I’d really like right now, is to enjoy waking up in bed with my wife.” His hand slipped between us, finding my center.
“Oh, God...” I moaned as he rubbed lazy circles over my clit.
“Does that feel good?”
“Hmm-hm,” the words got stuck in my throat as he slowly pushed a finger inside me.
“You were already wet for me, Bambolina.” Nicco kissed me, his tongue mirroring the way his fingers glided in and out.
“More,” I demanded
“Patience.” His laughter tickled my face.
“I need you, Nicco. Please...” I wasn’t above begging. Besides, it usually paid off.
Nicco dragged one of my legs over his hip, dropping down the bed slightly to position himself at the perfect angle to rock into me.
“Fuck,” he hissed. “You feel incredible.” Nicco anchored me to his body, doing all of the work. His mouth was everywhere, on my lips, my neck, latched onto my breast. He was like a man starved, feasting on my skin, savoring every inch.
“Ti amo.”
“Always,” I said, waves of pleasure rising inside me, threatening to pull me under.
But I wanted to fall.
I wanted to lose myself in him. In the way he loved me so completely.
“Jesus, Bambolina. I don’t think I will ever get enough of this.” He rocked harder, pushing us both closer to the edge.
I was almost there when my cell phone blared.
“Leave it,” he growled, sucking and nipping my collarbone.
“I wasn’t going to answer it,” I panted, barely able to breathe, too overwhelmed with sensation.
Nicco hooked my leg higher, going deeper. So deep it was like he wanted to consume me. “Let go, amore mio.” He whispered against my ear and it was my undoing. I shattered around him, my body trembling with ecstasy.
“God, Arianne.” He stilled, clutching my body to him as he