Page 87 of A Madness of Crows

And Caterina killed him for it. I search her face for any sign that she’s angling for revenge, that she’ll use this discussion to make us all pay. But she meets my gaze, her chin up.

“I don’t blame her for it,” she says quietly. “You tell her that. My father… first, he sold me to Joseph like meat at a market. Then he did the same with Matteo. This world is a better place without him in it.”

“You can tell her yourself. She won’t blame you for her father’s actions. We’re getting you out of here, Amie.”

Her eyes glimmer, and she glances away. “We’ll see. Alessia is the priority. If she can get out – that’s enough.”

When we are done planning, she jerks when I pull the bedding back. A hint of fear fills the air. “What are you doing?”

I step away, gesturing. “They’ll expect us to be a while yet. You may as well get some sleep while you can. You look like you need it.”

None of the girls here get enough sleep. All of them dragged from their beds at any hour of the day or night at Matteo’s whim.

Slowly, she shifts, crawling under the bedding. I tug the covers over her before moving to stand close to the door. “I’ll keep watch and wake you when it’s time to go.”

She doesn’t say anything as she curls up.

As her breathing deepens into disturbed sleep, her body tossing and turning, I use the time to rumple my clothes, my hair. Pinch my lower lip until it swells. Add to the perception that we’ve spent several hours rolling around in that bed.

And then I let the thoughts in. My throat begins to ache as I stare down at my fingers. Half of my nails are still missing.

Permanently altered. As I have been.

Day 94 – Dante

My fingers trace over the smooth film of the photograph in my pocket. Something tangible, in the absence of anything else to hold on to.

Everyone waits for my assessment.

We’re as prepared as we’re ever going to get.

The Cosa Nostra is going to war. At my nod, men that I have known my entire life stand, pushing their chairs back and heading back to their own families.

Waiting, all of uswaiting, for the moment it starts.

At my side, Rocco is abnormally quiet. Even Vito gives him a questioning look as he clasps my shoulder. “It’s the last stretch, Dante. We’ll be ready.”

“Thanks, Vito.”

Rocco purses his lips when the room has cleared. “I think you have a visitor downstairs.”

“Who?” I frown as he pulls out a tablet, flicking through screens until he reaches the security footage of the casino beneath our feet.

His tone is wry. “He’s been counting cards all night. The men recognized him, but none of them are quite sure how to handle it. He’s taken more than one fifty so far.”

Motherfucker.

That fucking smirk curls up Luc’s lips as he raises a glass to the camera. Cocky bastard.

He’s waiting as I make my way to the table. The dealer swiftly disappears as I slide into a seat. “Feeling lucky,stronzo?”

“Very much so.” He toggles a chip between his fingers, flipping it up in the air. “I was in the area. Fancied a little trip to see the sights, and I thought I’d pay you a visit.”

Like fuck.

My body tenses as he leans back, his eyes scanning the area around us. My men are here, keeping back and keeping everyone else away too. “Did you clean out all of my investments, or did you save some of that sharking for my competitors?”

“You don’thaveany competitors.” Luc looks at me, then. Allows the mask to drop. “I couldn’t call.”