I pinched the bridge of my nose as I listened to Danilo’s recount of today’s search efforts. We’d spent the night in the safehouse and would stay here for a couple of days—until we found Serafina or until we decided it made more sense to return to either Minneapolis or Chicago.
“I think we have to take into consideration that Serafina is already in Las Vegas or another city in Camorra territory. I doubt they’ll keep her close to our borders though.”
“Let’s obliterate their Kansas properties. Kill the fucking Underboss there and every of his Captains,” Danilo said fiercely. He was young. He was driven by wounded pride and the utter need to protect what was his. I understood him too well, but a brutal attack on one of Remo’s Underbosses would be too risky with Serafina in his hands.
“It’s too risky. Once we have Serafina back, we’ll have our revenge.”
Danilo straightened and began pacing the room.
Samuel sagged in his chair, looking exhausted and desperate but I could see the same hunger for attack in his eyes as I saw in Danilo’s. They weren’t that different.
Pietro was more restrained. His worry for his daughter wasn’t any less acute than theirs, but he knew how dangerous Remo was and that he wouldn’t give us Serafina back because we began killing his Underbosses. He’d send her to us, piece by piece.
Val appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. The children and the women had spent the day in the garden, waiting and worrying. “We can eat.”
Pietro and I got up. Samuel didn’t move and Danilo only shook his head and glared out of the window. “We have to do something.”
“Danilo,” I said imploringly. “If we attack driven by anger and fear, Remo will not only kill Serafina, but also many of our men.”
“I don’t care how many men die.”
“But you care about Serafina’s wellbeing.”
Danilo gave a tight nod then lowered his head and took a deep breath.
“Let’s eat and then try to discuss options. We need a pause.”
“I’m not hungry,” Samuel muttered.
Pietro touched his son’s shoulder. “You need to eat so you can heal. We need you strong.”
That convinced Samuel and he finally pushed to his feet, wincing and his hand clamping over his side.
The table in the big kitchen was set for our family. Ines looked up when we stepped in and the sorrow in her eyes lay itself on my shoulders like an additional weight.
I didn’t get the chance to sit down because my phone rang. I took it out, glancing at the unknown number and suddenly a foreboding feeling took hold of me. I raised the phone to my ear. “Cavallaro.”
“Dante, good to hear your voice.”
I had never heard Remo Falcone’s voice and yet I knew it was him. Every word dripped with confidence, arrogance, and mocking triumph. I could feel heat rise into my face as anger burst through me. My fingers around the phone tightened and I struggled to keep my strong emotional reaction from showing. It would only excite Remo and worry my family.
I crossed the room and left but of course steps followed me.
“Remo,” I said.
“Tell him I’m going to rip his fucking throat out!” Samuel roared.
Danilo caught up with me. “Where’s Serafina?”
“Let me talk to my daughter!” Ines cried.
“I would like a word with you, Capo to Capo. From one man who had his territory breached to another. Two men of honor.”
I held up my hand to stop the others. Their cries and shouts would only give Remo what he craved and I would not allow that. “I’m a man of honor, Remo. I don’t know what you are, but honorable isn’t it.”
“Let’s agree to disagree on that.”
“Is Serafina alive?” I asked quietly after I’d brought a few steps between me and the others but they followed me. Ines froze and clutched Pietro’s arm. Pure, undiluted fear flashed in her eyes.
“I will break every fucking bone in your body!” Samuel shouted.
I made another shush motion but this was useless. Remo had gotten what he wanted. He’d bathe in his triumph for a while. “Is that her twin?” He didn’t even try to tone his gloating down.
My own fury burned so fiercely, I was surprised I hadn’t caught flames. “Is she alive?” Everyone looked at me. Their fear, their hope, their despair hit me like an avalanche I could hardly brave.
Remo chuckled. I would make him pay for this. One day I’d make him suffer tenfold. “What do you think?” he asked.
“She is, because alive she is worth more than dead.” Remo wouldn’t give up this game of cat and mouse any time soon. It was too much fun for someone like him.
“Indeed. I don’t have to tell you that I will kill her in the most painful way I can think of if a single Outfit soldier breaches my territory to save her, and I can be very creative when it comes to inflicting pain.”
Relief filled me knowing that Serafina was still alive, could still be saved. But I’d heard what Remo and his brother Nino had done to their enemies and could only hope that they wouldn’t show that side to Serafina. Not because they felt pity but because they wanted to dangle her fate over my head. “I want to speak to her.”
Ines sagged with relief, realizing what that meant. She clutched Pietro who let out a visible sigh. Danilo closed his eyes, releasing a deep breath. Samuel hovered close to me, his hand pressed to his side, which had started bleeding again.
“Not yet.”
“Remo, you crossed a line, and you will pay for it.”
“Oh, I’m sure you think so.”
“What do you want?” I’d attacked his territory. From what I knew from Remo and how he’d conquered the West and won back his birthright to rule over the Camorra, he wouldn’t be placated easily. Remo saw himself as the undisputed ruler of the West. Everyone who doubted his rulership was removed in the most brutal way possible. That my men had dared to attack him and his brothers was something he’d never forget or forgive, and he’d make me pay thoroughly for it. I doubted he’d name a price in exchange for Serafina I’d ever be willing to pay.
“It’s not time for that kind of conversation yet, Dante. I don’t think you are quite ready for it. Tomorrow morning, we will have another date. Set up a camera. I want you, her brother, father, and fiancé in a room in front of that camera. Nino will give you instructions how to set everything up. I will set up a camera myself so we can see and hear each other.”
“Remo—” I growled but then a click sounded. Remo had ended the call. I resisted the urge to smash the phone. I had more control than that, even if it was slipping with every passing moment. Slowly, I put my phone back into my pocket, weighing the words I’d say.
Danilo smiled bitterly. “He’s toying with us, isn’t he?”
I gave a terse nod. “He’s trying at least.”
Samuel stepped up to me. “What about Fina? Do you know anything?”
“She’s alive,” I said. “Tomorrow morning, he wants to establish a video connection.”
Ines frowned, glancing between Pietro and me. “What does that mean? Will he allow us to talk to Fina?”
Val pressed a palm to her chest and swallowed hard, realizing what Ines was incapable of seeing.
Danilo shook his head. “He’s going to make us watch?” He sank down on an armchair and propped his elbows up on his knees. “The fucker is going to make us watch when he tortures or… or… fuck!”
Samuel nodded toward the doorway where Anna, Leonas, and Sofia were poking their heads in, eyes wide, lips parted.
Danilo shoved to his feet and stalked out of the room, past the children who gawked at him. A few seconds later the front door slammed shut and the engine of his Mercedes roared to life.
Ines stumbled toward me. “Dante, do you really think they’re going to hurt my girl in front of a camera and make us watch?” She peered up at me, hoping I’d deny it, begging me to do it, and I wanted to do it, needed to do it and so I lied. “Danilo is overwhelmed. We don’t know what Remo wants to achieve with this call. Maybe he’ll let us talk to Fina to prove she’s well so he can start making demands.”
Ines nodded. She needed to believe this.
“Mom?” Sofia whispered and slowly came in. Pietro stared down at his clenched hands and Samuel had gone to the window and was clutching the frame.
Ines turned to Sofia and hugged her tightly, whispering words of assurance to her. Val approached me and squeezed my arm then kissed my cheek, whispering. “This was the right thing to say.”
Lies had a way of getting out and in this case, they would undoubtedly do so tomorrow.
Ines led Sofia back into the kitchen.
“Can you take Leonas and Anna back to the kitchen as well? I need to have a word with Pietro and Samuel.”
Val nodded then she turned around and gently ushered our children out. Leonas threw me a curious look while Anna pressed up to Val.
When it was only Samuel, Pietro and me, I let out a sigh.
Pietro cast his gaze up. His eyes were tortured. “You know what a video chat means, Dante. You know it.”
I did. Remo was going to hurt Serafina for us to see. It was the beginning of our torture, the next step in his game. “We can’t allow the women to watch it.”
Pietro nodded. “Ines will insist, but I’ll put my foot down. She mustn’t see this.” He sank down on the couch, closing his eyes. “Fuck, I don’t want to see it. I…” He put his face into his palms, taking a shuddering breath. “If he… if he…”
I walked over to him and touched his shoulder. “We’ll find her. That video is our chance to gather hints. The more we gather, the better for us.” It wasn’t any kind of consolation but I couldn’t allow my own despair to surface. My family needed my guidance and I would give it to them.
Ines had insisted she watch with us, but neither Pietro nor I had given in. It wouldn’t do any good.
Danilo, Pietro, Samuel, and I gathered in the conference room of the safehouse in front of a camera and screen. Of course, Remo wanted to see us as well. He wanted a taste of our pain. He’d relish in it.
“Try to remain calm,” I urged again shortly before the designated video time. “Remo will only get further ammunition against us if he sees how much this bothers us.”
Samuel glowered. “Bothers us? He kidnapped my sister! He’s going to torture her. And you think I can stay calm?”
Danilo gritted his teeth. His thoughts probably followed a similar trail but he’d learned to think strategically since becoming an Underboss. Losing our heads in this situation would be the worst thing we could do.
I sought Pietro’s gaze. I’d known him almost all my life. Pietro had nerves of steel but right now his emotions were written all over his face. I couldn’t blame him. If Anna was in Remo’s hands… I shoved the thought aside. I could only hope that Remo was bluffing, that he wanted to have us at our breaking point but not willing to risk war. Because if he hurt Serafina, war would be the result.
“One minute,” I reminded them.
Santino lifted his thumb. He’d set up everything since he was the one who had the most technical knowledge. I gave a small nod.
Then the screen flickered and the camera glowed red, announcing that we were life now. Serafina appeared on screen, dressed in a thin silver nightgown, arms crossed over her chest. Her face was pale, her eyes swollen from crying. Good Lord.
Samuel took a step forward, his face a mask of horror. Pietro and Danilo remained frozen.
My fingers twitched, my teeth clenching in an effort to keep my outward calm even as my insides shook with a hatred so pure and raw, it was almost impossible to contain.
Remo stood beside Serafina but he smirked into the camera, not at her. I’d seen photos and videos of him, so I recognized him immediately. The scar along his brow and temple twitched as he smiled triumphantly. “I’m so glad you could make it,” he drawled.
Danilo made the smallest sound, one hopefully only we could hear. His struggle was written all over his face.
Remo seemed to look straight at me for a moment, a challenge, an invitation for war. He wanted war, he’d get it. Then he faced Serafina who stiffened.
“Serafina, in Las Vegas women get a choice…”
“Don’t you dare!” Samuel shouted, storming toward the camera as if it were Remo and he could throttle him with his bare hands.
I clamped a hand down on his forearm and jerked him to a stop. Samuel’s eyes flashed to mine and for a moment he looked as if he considered hitting me. The anguish in his eyes reflected in my insides. I’d held Serafina when she was only a few days old. I’d seen her grow up. She didn’t deserve this. Least of all the choice Las Vegas was famous for.
Even without seeing his face, I knew Remo was gloating. He knew exactly what this did to us. Even if he didn’t care about anyone enough to feel the same anguish when they were tortured, he was well acquainted with human emotions.
Remo pulled a long, gleaming knife from his holster. I released Samuel who began to tremble. Pietro took a step closer, disbelieving, as if he wasn’t sure if what he saw was reality or his cruel imagination. This was a true nightmare that would certainly haunt us for a long time.
“They can pay for their sins with pain or pleasure.”
Danilo shook his head, murmuring, “No.”
Pain or pleasure. I’d kill Remo.
“You have no right to judge other people’s sins,” Serafina said in a shaking voice. She held her head high, tried to appear strong but her fear was obvious to me and it would be for Remo as well.
Remo moved behind her, towering a head over her with a smile I’d never forget. If I found a way to hurt him like this hurt us, I’d pay him back. Fuck, I wouldn’t stop until he was a shadow of the man he was now.
“What do you choose, Serafina? Will you surrender to torture or pay with your body?” He dragged his eyes down her body, lingering on her cleavage, undressing her with his leer for us to see.
Serafina didn’t say anything and her eyes flickered with terror. I glanced at Danilo. Dread settled in his eyes. Would he have to watch Remo rape Serafina? This choice Remo gave Serafina was a goddamn farce.
I wasn’t sure if I could bear seeing that. How were Samuel, Pietro, and Danilo going to survive?
“If you don’t choose, I will make the choice for you,” Remo said, his voice brimming with excitement as he barred Serafina from our view.
“I will choose the bite of cold steel over the touch of your unworthy hands any day, Remo Falcone.”
Surprised washed over me. Samuel’s eyes widened then he smiled slightly.
“I will enjoy your screams.”
“Remo, this is enough,” I snapped.
Remo jerked Serafina against him, her back flush to his chest, and grasped her chin, forcing her face up to his. I took a step closer to the screen, couldn’t stop myself.
Neither Remo nor Serafina looked at the camera. “Where would you like to feel my blade?” He showed Serafina the knife. “Or did you change your mind about your choice? Will you pay with your body after all?”
Serafina guided the knife to her forearm. I wasn’t sure what she was doing, what was going on between them. And then Remo cut Serafina’s arm. Blood welled up. She dug her teeth into her lower lip trying to keep her scream in. Remo gripped her waist, holding her up. I curled my hands to fists.
Pietro stumbled forward. “Enough! Stop it. Stop it now!”
Remo released Serafina and she fell to the ground, panting and dripping blood. Remo came closer and then the screen turned black.
Silence rang in the conference room.
Santino switched the camera and screen off then stood and slipped out of the room. Pietro sagged against the wall, his shaking fingers splayed over his mouth. Samuel stared at the black screen wide-eyed, chest heaving.
Danilo’s dark eyes met mine. “He won’t stop. He wants her. It was written all over his face. He wants her!”
I had seen it too. I wasn’t sure what exactly Remo wanted from Serafina. Maybe he didn’t know either. But he wanted to possess her. I knew because men like him and I and Danilo always wanted to possess what we shouldn’t. That look on his face it had been on mine when I fought against my desire for Valentina.
We decided to vacate the safehouse the next day. There was no sense in staying in Indianapolis. Because Danilo hadn’t married Serafina yet, Pietro as her father would officially lead her rescue and thus our operation base would be in Minneapolis.
Valentina and our children accepted it quietly when I told them we wouldn’t return to Chicago for now. The school year hadn’t started for Leonas yet, and Anna was being home-schooled anyway.
Ines took the news hard. For her, leaving Indianapolis marked defeat and as if she lost another part of Serafina. She broke down and refused to leave her bedroom.
Pietro and Samuel both were exhausted and shaken so I took it upon myself to talk to her.
When I entered her bedroom, I was reminded of the time I’d found her crying in the library.
Ines lay curled up on her bed, sobbing. Slowly, I approached her and perched on the bed. I touched her head like I’d done when she was a young girl and Father had treated her badly. Her eyes opened so full of anguish my own heart squeezed tightly. She threw herself at me, and I hugged her. “My little girl is suffering. I can’t bear it…I just can’t. I wish I was in her stead. I’d brave pain for her, I’d brave anything for her.”
I’d considered asking Remo to exchange Serafina for someone else, but Remo had targeted her on purpose for the shock value of having a bride, and maybe worse. He wouldn’t release her. That look on his face had made it clear. He wasn’t done playing yet, not with her, and definitely not with us.
“Ines, we must return to Minneapolis. It will do you good to be in your own home. We can’t do more for Serafina here than from there.”
“I feel like I’m giving her up.”
“You aren’t giving her up. We aren’t. But we need to stay strong and you need to keep Sofia in mind. She’s overwhelmed and being in her home will help her too. We all need stability. Val, the kids and I will stay with you for a while until we’ve saved Serafina. And we will save her. I swear.”
It was an oath I wasn’t sure I could keep.
