Page 33 of The Mafia Assassin's Redemption-

The church isn’t locked when I arrive. I push open the heavy wooden door, stepping into the hallowed air, the candles glowing and giving life to the saints, to Mary, to Jesus.

The air’s heavy with frankincense.

There’s no one here, but there are gorgeous vases of flowerslining the perimeter.

It’s quiet and still, like the world’s taking a breath before a momentous event.

The calm before the shitstorm hits.

There’s no one in sight but I’m not alone. Life breathes here and I head up the aisle and cross the sanctuary over to the sacristy.

A bottle of rum sits on the table. I put down the flowers and packages I carried in and head through the doors which should take me to the rectory where the priest lives.

Instead, I find a loose wall panel and press on it. It creaks open, revealing a lamp-lit stone staircase that heads down into cool earthiness.

There are two small landings with doors, and when I reach the bottom, I turn toward a room filled with broken furniture. Voices travel into the hallway, echoing against the stone walls. I follow the sound and stop in front of a door. I twist the brass doorknob and enter the darkened room. Harry jumps when she sees me, and a heavyset priest looks up at me, startled.

My lips pull into a tight line. “Ticktock, Harry,” I say in a low voice. “Your time’s up.”

EIGHT

harry

“You.”I speak the word as if it tastes like vinegar on my tongue.

Father Luigi slides me a disproving look, but I can’t do anything but stare at the god in that tuxedo. He’s a bad god but oh Lord, does he look dangerously delicious.

I dig way down, find my last remaining slivers of strength, and lift my chin in defiance. “I’m not marrying you.”

“Yes, you are. My brothers will be here soon. As will your uncle and the man who put the hit on you.”

Horror bites deep, scraping bone. “I’m not…” I turn to Luigi. “Tell him this isn’t happening. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

But I can see it on Luigi’s face. What he was trying to tell me.

What I already knew and why I came here.

This is my only option, aside from running, but I’m done with that.

Done.

I ran as a kid. Ran from myself as a teen. Ran from this monster with my name change. And when I got to New York, Iran and hid in the church, stumbling on a calling. I won’t run from that.

Other women and their children need me.

I’m not running. Not anymore.

“I’m the only one who’ll have you, Hazel.” Torin waits a beat. “You don’t have a choice. It’s a blood marriage or nothing. And we both know you won’t survive without the protection of my family name.”

Those dark-blue eyes dare me to fight him. I look from him to Luigi. “I’ll run. I’ll take my chances, become a nun. They won’t carry out a hit on a nun.” I glare at Torin and make the sign of the cross.

He looks unimpressed. “Yes, they will. This arrangement is the only answer. I need you changed and ready for the wedding in fifteen minutes or I’ll marry you in your jeans.”

“You won’t fit in my jeans.”

“Watch it or I’ll make you marry me fucking naked.”

Father Luigi flushes a deep red and clears his throat.