Page 160 of Bitter Poetry

His face when I walked into Leon’s office was a mask of rage. I’ve never felt his anger directed toward me. I can honestly say I don’t want to ever again. And it’s not because I’m scared of him, more a healthy dose of respect and a strong desire not to be in conflict with my own blood. I have a feeling that I’ve disappointed my brother.

It hasn’t escaped my notice that where we are, and all we have achieved to date, wouldn’t have been possible without him. He saved me from being maimed; he saved Carmela from something far worse than had already happened.

Today, I’m reminded of just how much he does, how he’s still young, still barely a man, yet he carries himself like someone much older. He’s unique, a little unstable, but that’s part of his unorthodox charm.

Our relationship with Carmela is complex, and all the personalities involved are equally so.

This is about revenge against Ettore for what he did to our uncle, for what he did to Cedro and his wife, and for all he did and allowed to be done to Carmela. She was the inciting incident for me, the wake-up call to the reality that my world and the people I cared about were under threat. I never expected Christian to get involved with her, not when he hated her so passionately at the start. But circumstances have thrown the two of them together.

Can we make this work?

I only know the thought of losing either of them is unacceptable.

The place I want to be isn’t the one I planned for, but it is equally compelling, nonetheless.

Christian leans forward in the seat, all business. “Ettore is losing it, big time. Had a meeting with the Russians and the Romanians… and some lowbrow biker gang that operate to the north. As far as I know, he hasn’t told them what happened. He has half his soldiers looking for her. The rest are watching suspects, so, the Russians, Romanians and these bikers, for anything suspicious. It won’t take long for anyone not already clued in to figure it out. Pretty much everyone not yet in the loop is talking about how Cosmo and Carmela haven’t been seen.”

“We need to talk to the other capos,” I say slowly. “And I think it’s time for you to play a more active role, Leon.”

He nods. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

“You need to be seen doing what Ettore wants,” Christian says. “You might not be doing much under the surface, but you need to look busy, yeah?”

“Agreed,” Leon says before turning to me. “We’ll reach out to the other capos. Who do we start with first?”

“We already had a meeting with a couple, so we may as well roll with that. We’ll leave Ettore’s brothers until last. Pitch it as mutual concerns. Let them do the talking.”

“Makes sense,” Leon says. “Mateo, take us through the list of soldiers and teams we have, their current locations, and profiles. And let’s get some of them mobilized, as Christian suggested. Keep them looking busy.”

CHAPTER 49

CARMELA

Icry again, watch some Netflix, and sleep.

Dante wakes me when he calls, telling me he just left Helena’s house after being there only twenty minutes.

He might be lying. My heart wants to believe he is not.

The enormity of what has happened hits me anew. Ettore is on the warpath, Dante said. If my husband finds me here, he will kill Dante, probably Leon, and most likely Christian as well. He might even kill me. The fact I was taken from outside my father’s home, and the possibility that he and Jessica might get caught up in this, rises in my mind with every passing second.

A plan is taking shape. The more I think about it, the more I realize it’s the only way to keep everyone safe.

Everyone except me.

CHAPTER 50

CARMELA

Igo to bed alone again and wake to the sensation of someone sliding in behind me.

For a split second, I’m back in my old bed, and although Ettore has never once gotten into bed with any level of consideration for my sleeping, my foggy brain thinks it’s him.

Strong hands gather me close before I can lash out. “It’s me, Carmela.”

Hearing Dante’s voice—and smelling his familiar cologne—my racing heart calms. “You scared me.”

“I know. I’m sorry. There’s no easy way to wake you up… and you were in my bed.”