Page 119 of Dark Breaker

“I am,” he agrees. “No thanks to your—”

But I don’t allow him to finish, instead turning toward my next brother and exclaiming: “Stefano!” I hug him. Enrico is next. “Enrico!”

When I’ve hugged them all, I step back to take them all in. “I’m so happy you all came to meet me. I can’t tell you how good it is to lay eyes on each of you. I thought I’d never see any of you again.”

“You must be so traumatized,” Angela says.

“No more than you were when you were kidnapped, I’m sure,” I tell her.

“That was different,” she says defensively.

“Sorry,” I tell her. “I didn’t mean to imply that Massimo was as cruel to you as my kidnapper was. I was only trying to… find common ground. Bond on our shared experience. Sorry.” I look at my brothers. “By the way, where are Massimo and Luciano?”

Stefano gives Fabio an accusing look. “You didn’t tell her?”

“I couldn’t bring myself to,” my husband replies. “She was too happy.”

“Tell me what?” I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Stefano is the one who answers. “The Jackal has Massimo and Luciano. And Fabio’s brother Nicolo.”

What?!

My brothers…

“No,” I say. “No no no.”

Fabio tries to hold me but I push him away angrily and hug Angela instead. “What the hell. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I was going to. I didn’t know how to break it to you.”

I hold Angela close. “Why is it that someone always has to suffer whenever something good happens to me? I’m free, and now my brothers are hostages. Why why why?”

“We’ve already arranged to pay their ransom tomorrow,” Fabio says. “You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

I give him a confused look. “Really?” I glance at my brothers for confirmation.

Stefano nods. “That’s the plan, anyway.”

“But this is the Jackal we’re dealing with,” I insist, not letting go of Angela. “I guy who likes to kidnap people when he doesn’t get his way. Even if we pay, there’s no guarantee the Jackal will actually let the prisoners go.”

“He’ll fucking let them go,” Roberto says. “Because if he doesn’t, we’re cutting off his head.”

My brother’s words are strangely calming. I guess I’m getting more accustomed to violence and its various uses than I care to admit.

I hold Angela for the longest time, then finally release her.

“You really need to put some ice on that,” she tells me. She gazes at Fabio. “You too.”

“I already applied some ice,” he replies. “Then her kidnapper decided to kick me in the same spot.”

“Nice guy,” Angela says. “I’m sure you returned the favor.”

“That and more,” he comments.

“Will we have to worry about him again?” Roberto asks darkly.

“No,” I reply. “Fabio took care of him.”