Page 109 of Mafia King's Secret Baby
“Why?”
“Because,” I grimace. “I think we’re going to have to start at the top of the list and just work our way down. But one way or another, we need to figure out who is coming after us before they come after Luna. And we need to figure it out. Fast.”
“What’s the urgency?”
“Whoever it is,” I say, “has Marco. And, they know exactly what buttons to press to turn Marco into a nuclear weapon against Elio.”
“Shit,” Sal breathes.
I nod. Everything seems so confusing, but there’s one thing that I’m absolutely certain of.
I turn to address the group.
“They’re going to try and start a war. And we’re all going down in the process.”
22
ELIO
Caterina gets up to leave.“I’m going to bed,” she announces.
I blink at her. “Right now?”
“Yes. Right now.”
I look over at my sister and Sal.
Dislike rumbles through me again.
I do not know who Sal thinks he is. He just walks into my house. Showers in the same room as my sister. Looks at her like…
Dislike roars through me again. “Good. Sal, your room is around the corner...”
“He’ll be here with me,” Gia says clearly.
I stare at her. “Gia, what are you…?”
“I’m tired. I’m real fucking tired, Elio. According to the doctor, I have a cracked rib and a bruised liver. Not to mention the cuts and all the other shit, and the fact that I basically haven’t slept in two days. I’m tired, and I’m too tired to deal with your machismo bullshit.
“No, Sal and I are not fucking. But if you have a problem with him staying in my room, then we’re going to go rent a room in town and stay there. Because I’m not going to sleep unless he’s here with me.”
Gia’s words stun me.
Sal, for his part, looks at least a little ashamed. “Elio, look?—”
“Sal. It’s okay. Elio and I are going to bed,” Caterina asserts calmly.
Then, she turns my world over once again.
And she takes my hand.
“We’ll talk more about this in the morning,” she says with a soft smile at Gia and Sal. “You two sleep tight. I won’t send Luna in to wake you, but there’s no guarantees that she won’t scream outside of your room until you wake up.”
Sal smirks a little at that. “I am her favorite uncle.”
“And I’m her favorite zia. So scoot,” Gia says.
Caterina pulls on my hand and I follow her, marveling at the feel of her fingers beneath mine. I’m so lost in the sensation that I don’t notice we’re walking past Luna’s room until we’re fully down the hall.