Page 53 of The Temptation

FOR INFORMATION THAT LEADS

TO HER WEARABOUTS

My gaze flickers back to my mother. “Where did you get this?”

She casually lifts one shoulder. “I don’t remember.”

My hand shoots out, grasping her bony forearm. “Where did you fucking get this?” I ask again, more forcefully this time. I swear I’ve reached my limit with this woman.

She tries to jerk her arm free from my grip, but I hold tight. I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that she kept that flyer for one reason.

“Why did you have a copy of this in your purse?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Isn’t that obvious. The ten thousand dollars. Do you know what I could do with that kind of money?” Her reply is enough to make me want to hurl.

“Overdose?” Lucia chimes in from behind me.

Unfortunately, she’s not wrong, and as pissed as I am, I have to roll my lips to hide my smile.

“Fuck you,” my mother spits, her leg jerking forward in a weak attempt at a karate kick, which is aimed directly at Lucia. But she’s so high, she just loses her balance and stumbles sideways.

I instinctively reach forward and grab her arm, effortlessly righting her before she falls on her arse.

“Nice try, Crackie Chan,” Lucia deadpans.

I bark out a laugh because I can’t help it. I love her wit.

“Fuck you, bitch. You won’t be acting so smug when I contact your husband.”

That comment quickly sobers me. “Listen here,” I roar, getting up in my mother’s face. “You mention one wordabout this to anyone, and I will be the least of your worries. She’s under the protection of theFamiglia.That man is not her husband. He’s a fucking psychopath.”

“You deserve better than that,puttana(Whore),” she spits in reply.

“Watch your fucking mouth,” I warn.

“And Romeo deserves better than you,” Lucia retorts, without missing a beat.

“You deserve whatever’s coming to you, cunt,” my mother snaps, and I don’t like the way her sharp, unblinking stare locks onto Lucia.

My gut is already bracing for impact. No matter what I say, I know my mum’s about to do something reckless.

“You even think about calling that fucking number and I can guarantee Dante will make sure you disappear,” I state as my eyes flicker down to her loser boyfriend, who’s still crumpled in a heap on the ground, a snivelling mess. “He’ll wipe you both out without so much as a second thought.”

“He’d need to find us first. With that kind of money, we could easily disappear.”

“Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? He’ll hunt you down, and when he finds you, he’ll show no mercy.”

And if Lucia is harmed because of her actions, I won’t stand in his way.

Chapter 11

Lucia

The anger radiating off Romeo by the time we climb back into the car is palpable.

“Fuck!” he bellows, slamming his fist down on the steering wheel. “Fuck!”

“It’s okay,” I say, placing my hand on his leg, in a pathetic attempt to calm him down. “I know they messed up your gate and the door to your garage, but at least we got here before they stole your tools.”