Chapter 37 - Angela

"We're going to steal her from that wretch. We're going to rip my entire family out of his hands!" I declared, sitting at the table even though I'd completely lost my appetite.

"And how do you plan to do that?" It was Marco who questioned, still behind me.

But at that moment, the last thing I wanted was to talk to him. Hatred bubbled inside me at the thought that the bastard had hidden that from me.

If I'd known, I would have postponed the wedding to save my sister before the worst happened. I'd never leave my little Alessia to her own devices, to be used as bargaining chips with pedophilic, sick assassins.

Knowing this made me think of all the times I'd read to her and our brother, Enrico. The two helped distract me from the endless rules, just as books took me out of the prison I lived in.

I'd spent too much time there and forgotten I should save them too. I'd gotten comfortable and started thinking only of myself, but now it was time to change that.

"You're not planning an attack on your parents' house, are you?" Nero asked, drawing my attention and pulling me from my thoughts.

"That's exactly what we're going to do. I know better than anyone every weak spot in that place, every passage we can use to infiltrate, and I want the best soldiers with me on this."

"You're not leading a damn attack on your father's property!" Marco bellowed. "That's not how things work, Angela. No matter how angry you are, it doesn't help to be irrational."

I was determined to keep ignoring him, but I wasn't going to let him keep treating me like I was some silly child.

"Irrational? The only irrational thing I've done is marry you before ensuring my siblings' and mother's safety!" I shouted, standing up and slamming my hands on the table. "Irrational was believing you when you said we'd rule everything together, that we'd be equals, when you keep treating me like some helpless little girl!"

"But you are a helpless girl."

"Because you treat me like one! You don't let me know anything about what's really happening because you want to keep me in a glass castle. But wake up, Marco—there's no more glass castle. I left it, and I have no intention of going back," I shouted, pushing the chair back into place. "You can do this with me or not—it's your choice. But if you try to stop me, I'll love annulling the marriage."

I marched out of there and didn't hear him say another word. Marco knew well that it hadn't even been twenty-four hours since the wedding, and I wouldn't have any problem canceling it.

I went straight to change clothes—a dress wouldn't help me today, and I'd need to ask Nero or Frank for a blueprint of my old house. I could mark all the hiding spots and where each camera and sniper was.

Two hours later, I was in the training area Marco had set up at home for me, surrounded by soldiers. Nero and Frank were by my side, and the house blueprint was on the table.

I hadn't seen any sign of Marco and had no idea where he could be, but he wasn't in our room or his office.

I just hoped he wouldn't disappoint me and that he'd be on my side in this, because as much as I liked him, I wouldn't put his whims above my siblings' well-being.

"So that's it—two teams, each entering from one side of the property," Nero repeated what we'd agreed on. "Everyone will have silencers, and do everything possible to keep them from firing their weapons—that would be like sounding an alarm..."

"And if that happens, my mother will lock herself in the panic room with my siblings, and we won't be able to get them out. Only Mancini has the key," everyone nodded, eyes back on the paper. "Don't forget you might need to use brute force to get them out—I don't care, as long as they're alive."

I knew how my father had trained us; they'd definitely try to escape since fighting would be pointless.

"Memorize the points—it's going to be dark, and we'll use night-vision goggles, but you have to know the weak spots of the property or you'll be left behind," Frank reminded them. I just hoped those two points outside and the others inside the mansion would be enough for us to succeed.

"If you can kill Mancini, it will be..."

"He won't be home," Marco's voice interrupted me, and I quickly lifted my face to find him standing in the doorway. "I just set up a meeting with your father, so his soldiers will be divided, and the house will be more vulnerable. Now get out and leave me alone with my wife!"

The harder tone when he said "my wife" didn't escape me. He might think that would calm me down with him, but he was wrong.

One by one, everyone left the room—even Nero went without a single joke.

"Your idea might be good, but it will divide our soldiers too," I said as he circled the small round table and came toward me.

"We'll have help from the Russians—they asked for an alliance with us after the cartel joined. They know that thanks to your father, the Cosa Nostra is fracturing without allies. They won't do anything stupid."

"And when were you planning to tell me the Russians want to ally with us?" I crossed my arms in front of my body, staring at him without being intimidated by his closeness.

Marco stopped in front of me and extended his arm, grabbing my waist, but I didn't change my stance. I'd let myself be carried away by his fanciful words of freedom and ended up in another prison—maybe prettier, but still a prison—and I wasn't going to let that continue.

"I didn't want to say anything until I was more sure of everything..."

"Your men knew. So don't lie to me, Marco!" I let out a breath and pushed his hands away from my body, but Marco grabbed them, pulling me against him. "How long are you going to keep treating me like your sister?"

"It's hard to want to protect you and share all the Camorra's problems at the same time—it's even contradictory."

"Contradictory or not, you promised and swore in front of everyone. You shouldn't give your word if you're not going to keep it," I took a step back, even though his hands held mine, preventing me from going far.

Marco leaned in, pressing our foreheads together and staring into my eyes. He'd tricked me like this—with gestures and words, unrealistic promises, and those beautiful brown eyes. But I refused to have the same life as my mother; I refused to continue that cycle.

"I know I was wrong, but I can't lose you," he kissed my forehead, but that wasn't an apology, and he wasn't saying he wouldn't do it again.

I pulled away from him and yanked my hands from his grip. I had a mission to accomplish, and then I'd think about where I'd gotten myself into.

"I can't get distracted now. I need to save my siblings," I said, taking steps backward, putting more distance between us. "I don't have the head for this right now."

I turned toward the door, thinking he'd come after me, that he'd kiss me and ask for forgiveness, that he'd insist I let his soldiers go alone—but I reached the door without any of that happening.

"Before you go, you should know why your father hates me so much," he said as my hand touched the doorknob. "There's a lot you don't know about our history, but I think it's time you knew!"