Page 6 of Dark Breaker

“And if not?” I ask.

Massimo holds my eye. “Then I call Stefano, Roberto, and Enrico, and tell them to meet us at the D’Alimonte residence so we can mow down Fabio and his goons.”

“I don’t think he lives on their main estate,” Luciano says. “I heard he lives in downtown Palermo. Though I’m not sure where, exactly.”

“Either way, we take him out if we don’t hear from his father,” Massimo comments.

Angela nibbles her lower lip nervously. “Is that the only way?”

“It’s either that,” Massimo replies. “Or wait for Fabio and his goons to show up on our own doorstep with their guns drawn.”

“Can’t we move to a different villa?” Angela asks. “You own so many of them.”

Massimo gives her a hard look. “Is that how you want to live your life, always on the run, constantly looking over your shoulder, wondering when a D’Alimonte associate will stab you in the back? We’ve talked about this. We have to face our problems, and nip them in the bud before they balloon out of control.”

Angela leans back and rests a hand on her swollen belly. “You’re right.” She furrows her brow. “Maybe we should call my father for help?”

“I contacted Giovanni as soon as Luciano arrived and broke the news,” Massimo tells her. “He says he’ll stand with us no matter what happens. He knows Raffaele well, apparently, and he’s willing to broker any negotiations. In fact, Raffaele might get in touch with Giovanni directly, rather than me. I have no doubt Raffaele knows I’m married to you, after all: our relationship is well known among the mafia families.”

“Yeah, no doubt because you sent online auction invites to all the major families after you kidnapped me,” Angela says with a snort.

Massimo shrugs. “I never said I was a good man.” He caresses her belly, and she can’t help but smile.

The love is so obvious between those two. A fiery, all-consuming, almost desperate kind of love. Their relationship is so passionate and full of intimacy.

I really wish I knew love like that, but I think it’s so rare that I’ll never find it.

When Massimo kidnapped her, he wasn’t expecting to fall in love with his old teenage crush, but I could see it coming from a mile away.

“Why do you always seem to attract stalkers?” Luciano comments.

“I already said, he wasn’t stalking me,” I tell Luciano. “Oh wait, you weren’t in the room when I said it. But you’re right, I do attract stalkers in general.”

“You have to admit it’s kind of suspicious he parked right behind you in the grocery store parking lot,” he insists. “Though I suppose it could be a coincidence. Unlike what’s his name.” He glances at Massimo. “What was the name of that ex of hers?”

Massimo shrugs. “Carlo or something? Or Nunzio.”

“Yeah that’s right,” Luciano says. “She had two exes. Both stalked her.”

“I never heard about this,” Angela says, sitting up. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” I tell her. “They just didn’t take too kindly to my breaking up with them. Carlo was the worst. Started showing up at random times, the store, the gym, the house… until my brothers had a little talk with him.”

“This ‘talk’ didn’t involve any broken bones, did it?” Angela asks.

I shrug. “Only a couple.”

She shakes her head. “You guys.”

I hear a ringtone. Massimo reaches into his back pocket and retrieves his phone. He looks at Angela. “It’s your father.”

I exchange a nervous glance with Angela.

Massimo answers the phone.

“Giovanni,” Massimo says in greeting, sounding rather stiff. He pauses. “Uh huh. Yes. That was us.” Another pause. “Yes, my sister.” He glances at me. “She says she didn’t do it.” He waits, then nods. “I understand.” Massimo hangs up. “Your father has arranged a meeting with Raffaele D’Alimonte.”

“I thought he was in prison?” I ask.