Page 135 of Steal My Heart

“Christ, Al,” he mutters. “I’m walking out the door now.”

She ends the call, turning to me. “We’ve gotta get out of here and get to Hotel D’Amico.”

“But I thought your brother wasn’t supposed to be released until next week?”

“Yeah, I thought so too, but the first call was from the correctional officer I’ve been paying for information. Fabien got an early release, and either Angelo is walking into a trap, or Angelo is baiting Fabien into a trap. Either way, my brothers are going to kill each other!” Alessandra grabs a gun from the wall rack.

“Do you know how to use that?” I eye the weapon nervously.

“Of course.” She scoffs, as if I’ve offended her. “I don’t know how to drive, though. Do you?”

“No! I’ve never owned a car.”

“Alright, we’ll figure this out. Let’s go.” Alessandra unlocks the door, and I scoop Nola in my arms, following her out. A guard appears ahead of us, blocking the way.

“Mr. Calvani said?—”

Alessandra aims the gun at him. “I don’t give a shit what my brother said. I’m the only Calvani in this house right now, so that means I’m in charge. You’re driving us to Hotel D’Amico.”

He holds up his hands. “Ms. Calvani, I can’t do that.”

There’s a loudbang, and I scream as blood splatters the back of the wall, the guard grabbing his arm. “You shot me!” he says in disbelief, his hand covering the wound.

“Gah, still not into the gore,” Alessandra says, now aiming the gun at another guard who’s running over.

“You will take us to Hotel D’Amico.”

“Miss, I can’t?—”

I scream, Alessandra having shot him too, this time in the shoulder.

“Enough!” Corinne appears, hands over her ears. “Before you shoot everyone in this household, I’ll drive you. But if your brother asks, you took me hostage.”

“Deal,” Alessandra says.

Chapter Forty-One

Angelo

I sign my name to the last page of the documents, pocketing my pen.

“Congratulations, Mr. Calvani. You’re the new owner of Hotel D’Amico.” The seller’s broker hands me the keys.

“What are your plans for the hotel, Mr. Calvani?” My broker asks as we walk out of the closing.

“There are a few housekeeping matters that must be attended to, and then I plan on rebranding and hosting a grand reopening.”

“I can’t wait! Do keep me in the loop,” she calls after me.

Sliding in the backseat, Maks asks me when he’s behind the wheel, “And you’re sure about this?”

I meet his eyes in the rearview. “I’m sure.”

We park in the alley beside the lounge of my new hotel, and using the key, I enter and flip on the light.

Every gun in the room is now pointed at me.

Fabien’s seated at the head table nearest the stage.