Page 51 of Doll's Eye

I pick my head up to look at him. “Unsure? I’m locked up because of uncertainty?”

“It was the De Luca’s, we’re certain about that. But it is possible that Angelo was working alone.”

I sit up and scoot off the bed to my feet. “Then let me call him and talk to him, Santino. He really wouldn’t lie to me. I know I can get the truth out of him.”

“I’m sorry, Alessia. I can’t do that.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Can’t.”

I pause, knowing that Santino really is not the enemy here. Tullio is now a capo, and just because we’re family doesn’t mean we can disrespect the boss whenever we’re in discord. “How long are you guys going to keep me here?”

“I don’t know. Maybe until you come around to reasoning or when the problem is dealt with.”

“Dealt with.” I take a deep breath through my nose. “Can you at least promise me one thing?” He waits. “Whatever you find out, can I please talk to Massimo before you do anything to him?” The thought of his betrayal is like acid in my throat.

“I’ll do my best and advocate for you, I promise. But you know I don’t call the shots around here. Now, come eat.”

Unable to argue with Santino any longer, I sit with him, and we chat while I eat. He lets me know that Mamma is stable, and if she continues to improve while her body is trying to heal, they’ll try to pull her out of the coma soon.

Another thing I will never forgive Tullio for is keeping me from visiting our mother.

There’s a knock on the door, and I call out to whoever it is to come in. It’s one of our men who pokes his head in. “Tullio needs to see you, Santino.”

“I’ll be down in a minute.”

“He says it’s urgent.”

I frown. “What’s going on?”

Santino stands up. “I’ll be back.”

“Oh, come on,” I whine and stand up to follow him to the door. “I’m not going to try and run, I swear. Please let me go with you.” I don’t even try to disguise the desperation in my voice.

“I’ll see if you can come out. Just hang tight for a minute.”

I growl and slap the door when he closes it in my face. “Damnit!” I fuckinghatenot having a clue as to what is going on outside of these walls. Gemma is the only one who would tell me anything, but she’s no use. She never knows anything.

I’m pacing my room when Santino comes back, not much later. “Alright. Come with me.” He looks tense, so whatever is going on, it isn’t good. Santino is hardly moved by anything.

I follow him out and down to our father’s office, which I guess Tullio has now taken over. We walk into Armando and Tullio having some heated conversation. It comes to a halt when their eyes snap in my direction.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” Armando growls as he runs his hand through his jet-black hair.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Massimo is at our gates,” Tullio says calmly.

My heart rate automatically picks up from the mention of his name and knowing that he’s near. It’s been over a week since seeing or speaking to him, and I miss him so fucking much. “Right now? Let me go talk to him.”

“Alessia.” Tullio stiffly approaches me. “Massimo has been on a rampage. He’s cleaned out three of our businesses so far.”

“What? Why?”

“Because he thinks he’s still entitled to you,” Armando says, his anger and disgust directed at me, and I choose to ignore it.

“He’s here for me?”He wants me back.