Page 34 of Ribbons and Roses
Paulio is telling the truth.
“Mommy!” Dominic whines, tearing up.
“It’s okay, Dom. Please don’t cry. Just keep calm and do as Mommy says.” I inhale another breath and then strengthen my tone, turning my head slightly for a peek over my shoulder.“Whatever Marcel owes you, Salvatore and I will pay it. Please let the children go back inside.”
“You’re all going back inside. Take us your lovely husband the don. Now.”
I’m stiff standing aside to let Dominic and Bryce pass through first. The soldier with Marcel goes next. Paulio nudges me forward last. We cross through the kitchen, the noises from the rest of the house now audible.
It feels like a horrible nightmare approaching the den. Thinking about how Salvatore and the others don’t yet know what’s happened.
They’ll be so surprised once we walk through the door. They’ll be terrified and angry at these intruders seeking to do us harm.
Salvatore will be bloodthirsty.
The moment arrives.
Dominic and Bryce dash into the den with tears streaking down their cheeks. Sasha notices first, rising from the armchair where she’s seated to ask them what’s wrong.
“Bryce. Dominic? Boys, what’s—?” she cuts herself off once she sees who next walks through the door.
Salvatore, Dad, and Stitches stop in the middle of the conversation they’re having. All three men look up to find Paulio Belini and his soldiers have entered the room.
Salvatore steps forward immediately, his eyes telling me what I’ve known. He’s already imagining how best to slaughter these men. They’ve signed their own death warrants.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asks. “Put the guns down and get the fuck away from my family.”
“I’ll tell you what I told your wife, Salvatore. You’re not calling the shots today. I am,” he says. “And I’ve decided that I’m going to collect what’s owed to my family. Ladies and children,you can stay here. Some of my men will look after you. Gents, you’re coming with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere and leaving your men with my family,” Salvatore snaps.
“You don’t got a choice.” Paulio returns to pointing the Glock at me. Instead of my spine, it’s dug into the side of my ribs, his finger hovering over the trigger.
Pure feral rage flashes in Salvatore’s eyes.
“Get away from her,” he warns.
“You heard me. Ladies stay. Gents come. We’ve got matters to discuss.”
It’s only begrudgingly that Salvatore finally listens. After he’s assessed the situation and concluded Paulio Belini holds the cards right now.
We’re at his mercy.
He makes sure to look at me from across the room, silently communicating to stay calm and do as I’m told. He’ll find a way to get us out of this situation. I give the most subtle nod of my head I can.
The henchman Paulio’s leaving behind to watch over us gestures to the couch and demands we sit down.
“Mommy, what’s going on?” whines Serena, grabbing onto my legs.
I pick her up and place her on the sofa cushion next to me. “Everything will be fine, Rena. I promise.”
Paulio and his other henchman walk out of the way behind Salvatore, Dad, Marcel, and Stitches. Their footsteps fade until they’re gone altogether and we’re forced to listen to the silence in their wake.
I release a breath I’ve been holding in and look at the man who’s been left in charge of us. He’s of average height and build, with the stoic kind of face that reveals he’s nothing more thana soldier. I could possibly take him down if I weren’t concerned with his gun going off.
It’s been years since I’ve used some of my defensive maneuvers and I’m a little rusty, but I’ve faced off against worse opponents.
Salvatore’s assessment mirrors mine—we simply have to wait until we’re able to flip the script against them and regain control.