Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“I completely understand,” I tell her. I try to imagine myself with two babies in my arms while crying over the death of Angelo, but I force myself to stop. It’s way too morbid. “This isn’t an easy life, is it? I mean, you have all this comfort, but—”
“The money and power only get so much.” She smiles and there’s a deep sadness in her. “Sorry, but I’m not going to sugarcoat it. This is just the first of many future evenings where you sit up and wonder if your husband’s going to come back in one piece, if he comes back at all.” She curses and throws back her wine. “Okay, I’m being such an asshole right now. I’m sorry, seriously, don’t listen to me. I’m just on edge.”
“You’re totally fine. Let me get some refills, okay? Maybe if we keep drinking, we’ll pass out eventually.”
“Worth a shot.”
I head into the kitchen, trying to imagine myself going through this night over and over again, and even though this is hellish, I think Angelo’s worth it.
Once the glasses are full, I start back to the living room but stop when there’s a knock at the door.
Stefania and I exchange looks and she jumps to her feet. She hurries to the foyer as the door opens and Angelo comes into the room.
I put the glasses down. I damn near throw them on the floor. He says something softly to Stefania, and she looks so relieved it’s almost painful, and then I’m running to him. I throw myself into his arms and he hugs me, pulling me up into the air and slamming a fierce kiss onto my mouth.
“It’s okay, baby,” he whispers, holding me tight. “I’m back and it’s over. It’s okay, it’s all over.”
“I was so fucking worried,” I say and look around for Stef. “Is Davide okay too? What happened?”
“Davide’s fine. He’s on clean-up duty but he’ll be home soon.” Angelo steps back and takes my hand. “Come on. I have something I want to show you.”
My heart’s skipping beats as we walk into the night. Stefania waves from the porch before closing her front door.
There are a million questions in my head. I want to throw them all at Angelo, but he’s got this little knowing smile on his lips, and I can’t bring myself to open my mouth. I’m too scared, and too hopeful, and even more scared that my hope’s about to get smashed into little pieces alongside my heart.
We walk up the steps to his house and he takes me into the kitchen.
“Hey, Claud.”
I stare at my sister, my mouth hanging open, then I look at Angelo and he’s grinning huge. He nods at me and pushes me toward her, and then I’m stalking across his house, and I’m hugging Serena so hard I feel like I might break her spine in half. She’s all skin and bones and so stinking skinny, and I don’t care, because she’s safe and she’s finally here.
“Oh my god, are you okay?” I pull back, finally noticing the bandage on her face. I touch it, fussing.
“I’m fine. The doctor already looked me over and stitched me up. Sorry we didn’t get you sooner but Angelo says he wanted to make sure I was fine before doing this little reunion.” She smiles slightly and I can see a million years’ worth of pent-up sorrow in her eyes. “Listen, Claud. I am so, so sorry, and—”
“Everything’s forgiven.” I take her hands in mine.
“Seriously? Just like that? I was terrible to you.”
“And now you’re here. It’s okay now, right?”
For the first time since I started working at Cage, the real Serena shines through. She smiles, bright and airy, and she makes a little casual shrug, like this is no big deal. “I guess we’ll manage.”
Chapter 47
Claudia
Ican’t remember the last time I felt good and normal hanging out with my sister, but for an entire day I do nothing but act like we’re kids again, and it feels so good.
Serena’s in a bad state. She’s strung out and suffering from what happened with Tommy. She gives me some of the story, and it’s pretty terrible. After they ran from his condo, they hid in the basement of that butcher’s shop, and she basically had a mattress to sleep on and nothing else. All day long she’d be stuck in there with Tommy and his Serbian friends, and they’d feed her drugs sometimes to keep her quiet, but mostly she was ignored and suffering as withdrawal took over.
I can tell that’s happening now. The sheen of sweat on her skin, the manic look in her eyes. She’s trying to hide it from me, but I know her well enough by now to tell when she needs a fix.
“I’m toughing it out, big sis,” she says when I gently mention it. “Didn’t your boyfriend tell you the deal?”