Chapter 4

The next day, I called Antonio and told him to drive me back to the estate to pick up some cash and my things.

He was quiet for a long time before he answered. "Ms. Ricci, the Don hasn't finished dealing with the press coverage of the bell tower shooting. You... you're better off staying at the safe house. You're already barred from leaving the country, and our enemies could come after you."

I let out a short, cold laugh.

Donatello had been with Gia every day. No wonder he'd forgotten about the shooting.

"I only want to pick up a few things. I'll come right back."

I had no intention of telling him what I was actually doing.

Antonio let out a long sigh of relief when he heard how calm I sounded.

"All right, I'll be there in half an hour!" Then he added, "The Don is having dinner tonight with Chief Marcello Bruni from the border agency. The travel ban will be lifted soon."

I didn't say anything else.

After I hung up, I sat looking at the harp that took up almost the entire living room. On the couch lay a flyer for Gia's recital that evening.

Whether Donatello went to that dinner or to Gia's recital, I was past caring.

I was just glad I had Luca's number. My life was in my own hands.

With cash and a packed bag, I could leave whenever I wanted.

I reached into my pocket and took out the diamond engagement ring Donatello had given me. I only ever wore it at the estate after dark. I set it gently on the table and left a note beside it. "I hope you'll give this to the person you actually love."

The next day, something unexpected happened: I was officially a wanted woman.

The press called me a terrorist and the Vicari family's top assassin. All of Sicily was on edge, and the danger was growing.

Donatello switched off the TV in frustration. "I was supposed to have dinner with Chief Bruni yesterday, but..."

He pressed his left hand to his forehead, closed his eyes, and fell silent.

I could guess the rest. He'd gone to Gia's recital instead. Chief Bruni felt the Don of the Vicari family had made a fool of him, so he'd worked with the police to put me on the wanted list in retaliation.

Strangely, I didn't feel the least bit sad. All I felt was a quiet relief that I'd planned ahead.

"Carla, this is on me. I'll take you to Malta by boat. Go pack."

For safety's sake, I agreed.

Donatello quickly packed my things and loaded them into the trunk. As he opened the car door, he got a call from the hospital. "Mr. Vicari, Ms. Ferrini was stabbed at the mall by a few Ferrini family thugs."

It was a doctor on the line. "Ms. Ferrini is in bad shape..."

Donatello clenched his jaw and slammed his fist against the car door. But he didn't hang up or move toward the driver's side. He just stood there.

I could see him hesitating. "Go see her."

I moved his hand off the door and shut it.

"Carla, I..." His lips moved, but he couldn't get the rest out.

"You need to go protect Gia. The Ferrini family won't leave her alone." I stood perfectly still. "I have my gun. I can protect myself."

Donatello swallowed, then forced a pained smile. "Wait for me at the safe house. I'll come get you!"

When we exchanged vows, he'd promised we'd make the marriage legal once things in the family settled down. Later, he'd said we'd announce it once the rival family was wiped out.

Always waiting.

Then, the night before Valentine's Day last year, we'd gotten completely drunk and walked from the house to City Hall, laughing the whole way. We sat outside, waiting for morning so we could be the first couple to make our marriage official that Valentine's Day.

I thought we were finally going to be husband and wife.

But at dawn, his phone rang, waking us both. Once again, a call took him away.

"Wait for me. We'll make it legal when I get back." He kissed the top of my head.

I sat outside in thin clothes all day, until City Hall closed and the streetlights came on. He never came.

He told me family business had held him up. All I could do was believe him and tell myself we could wait until next Valentine's Day.

Now, as I watched him walk away from me, I felt surprisingly calm.

Because I wasn't going to wait for him anymore.