Page 74 of Arranged Addiction

“We should probably talk about the end.” He says it so simply, but it startles me.

“You know about what happened to them?”

“Everyone did.”

“What can you tell me about… Senesi?”

His face twitches. He looks sideways, jaw tightening. “The Butcher of Milan,” he murmurs. “Always thought it was an absurd nickname, but I suppose it fit. Senesi was a realpsychopath in those days. Everyone was terrified of him… including your parents.”

“What did they do to him?”

“I don’t know too many details. But from what I understand, there was an investigation into Senesi’s activities. The Feds were circling him and somehow your parents got caught up in their dragnet. They flipped on him, gave the Feds some evidence, pointed them in the right direction, even agreed to testify. But before the Feds could catch him, the Butcher disappeared. Nobody knows what happened, only that he hasn’t been seen in the States in over twenty years. And only a few days after he went on the run… your parents ended up dead.”

I let that sink in. I knew it was Senesi who did it. But hearing Marco confirm the story sends a new wave of grief through me.

“They were trying to take him down,” I say softly. “They were doing the right thing.”

“I told you. They were good people.”

“But he killed them for it.”

“Senesi was a monster, but he’s been gone for a long, long time, dear. I’m sorry for what happened to them. I always thought they didn’t deserve it. But here we are.” He gives me that ugly, crooked smile again.

I manage to pay for lunch. We stand and walk out together. Marco has a limp and shuffles slowly. I hold the door and we pause on the sidewalk. Cool wind blows through my hair and Marco turns to look down the block with a slight frown. There’s nobody else nearby but the two of us.

“I appreciate you meeting with me,” I tell him and offer a hand.

He looks back and takes it. “The pleasure is mine, Casey.” His grip is tighter this time. He holds on and doesn’t let go. The sparkle in his eye fades as he stares at me and I get a strange feeling in my stomach. “I have to admit something to you. I feel so very bad about it. But I lied to you in there.”

I try to pull my hand back, but his grip is iron. “Lied about what? Don’t worry, it’s totally fine.”

“Your parents. They weren’t good people. Honestly, they were sanctimonious fucking pricks. Especially your pretentious fucking father. That cock-sucking pansy thought he was better than everyone around him. But your mother, she was beautiful. Just like you are. Your mother was perfection, Casey. She deserved better than your fucking father.”

“What… what are you…” I try harder to wrench away. But Marco doesn’t budge. “Why are you saying that?”

“She was wrong. She was always fucking wrong. Your father acted like he was better than me. Like he was better than everyone. But they were both criminals, just like me. I wanted to lift your mother up, but your father, he was going to bury her in filth.”

“You’re hurting me.” I finally manage to rip my hand away. “What’s the matter with you?”

His eyes are cold and dead. There’s no life in him suddenly.

“God, you really are such a stupid bitch. I can’t believe you’re really her daughter. The fact that I haven’t sent you to hell with your worthless fucking father a long time ago is a stain on my honor. I can’t believe Declan Whelan gives a fuck about a pathetic bitch like you.”

I take a step back.

Cold, black horror fills me.

And I realize who Marco Russo really is.

He lunges for my throat, but I’m already turning and running for my life.

Chapter 25

Declan

“You’re going to have to do more than just send her presents.” My mother sits in the chair across from my father’s desk. Actually, it’s my desk now, but I can’t stop thinking about it like that.My father’s desk.

“I know, but I’m not sure she’s ready to talk.”