By Fate I Conquer (Sins of the Fathers #4)(100)

“Do you know who did it?” Rage tinged my voice. My mind had gone over the options. The Falcones had many enemies, but few would steep as low as to attack Greta. Definitely not the Outfit. Maybe the Russians but considering that Remo had a tentative bond to the Russian Pakhan in Chicago I couldn’t imagine it either. Another option flitted through my head but I didn’t want to dwell on it.

“Nevio and Remo are currently questioning the attacker. Whatever he knows we’ll soon know as well.”

“Good.”

We pulled up in front of a non-descript warehouse at the outskirt of Las Vegas. Faded lettering and boarded-up windows.

Alessio parked the car and got out. I followed him without hesitation. Fuck. This was enemy territory. For more than a year the Camorra and the Famiglia had been at war. Still I didn’t hesitate to follow Alessio. I would have followed him straight into hell if Greta was there. Maybe it was a trap. Considering that the Falcones knew all about my relationship with Greta, they probably couldn’t wait to dispose of me.

Alessio pressed a button beside the door and a few moments later, Nino opened the door. He looked exhausted. After a curd nod, he allowed me to enter. It felt like a nightmare, one I couldn’t wake from.

“I didn’t think we’d meet so soon. Not like this certainly.”

I nodded.

Nino motioned me to follow him. Soon I spotted Remo waiting in front of a door. “War is on hold for the time being. Greta asked for you, so of course you’re safe here,” Nino said.

I barely listened. All I could think about was Greta lying behind that door.

Remo stepped in my way and our gazes locked. “You are alive for only one reason, Greta,” he said. “You will be safe in my territory because of her and for as long as she wants it. And unlike your word at your wedding, we ‘ll honor said promise.”

“Thanks, but nothing in this world would have stopped me from coming to Vegas to see Greta. Not even the prospect of being torn apart by you crazy fuckers. I’ll go through hellfire for Greta if necessary.”

Remo gripped my shoulder, his fingers digging into my skin. His eyes burned with rage. “Good. Because you will. Nevio and I questioned the attacker and you know what he said?”

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach, one I hadn’t wanted to entertain. “Cressida.” The voice was a hoarse rasp.

Remo’s lips pulled wide, not a smile, a grimace. “Indeed. Your wife.”

Fury and guilt raged inside of me. I’d truly underestimated her. For the second time in my life. “Who else was involved? What about the attacker?”

“He said he belonged to Antonaci, spewed some religious bullshit, and didn’t stop going on about the Famiglia’s traditions until Nevio made him.”

I nodded. Because Cressida couldn’t have done it without her father. He would die, and so would Cressida. So would every single fucker involved in this.

“Let me see Greta now. There’s time for talk about revenge later.”

Remo moved even closer, his face right before mine. “Greta thinks you love her.”

“I do. I love her. She’ll be my wife once Cressida is gone.”

“Divorce won’t be necessary, true.” Something in his expression shifted, pain in his eyes that stirred up my worries. He gave a nod toward Nino. I was starting to grow tired of this conversation. I just wanted to see Greta.

“You might want to know that Greta won’t be able to give birth. Her injuries were too severe.”

I froze, swallowing hard. “What?”

Remo nodded. “They didn’t go in for the kill. They stabbed her abdomen and shattered her knee. Your dear wife thought taking away the ability to bear children and to dance would break Greta and maybe make you see her as less worthy.”

“I love Greta. I’ll still love her if she can’t ever dance, even when she can’t give me children. I love her and I want to be with her. Nothing will change that, and you won’t stop me from being with her either. This time absolutely nothing will stop me.”

Remo stepped aside and pushed open the door. I walked inside and everything seemed to stand still.

Greta looked small and breakable in the hospital bed. Her lips and face were almost white, she was so pale. In two large strides, I was by her side and bent over her, cradling the back of her head and kissing her forehead. My heart throbbed in my chest, every pump as painful as a bullet shot to the heart. “Oh Greta,” I rasped. “I’m so sorry. I should have protected you. I won’t ever leave you unprotected. As long as I live, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

I kept my more violent thoughts to myself. That I would make sure everyone involved in this would die an agonizing death. After another gentle kiss to her forehead, I lifted my head to look at her face. Even now she was painstakingly beautiful. I ran my fingers through her shaggy, chin-long hair. The tips were burned. I hadn’t noticed before but she smelled like a bonfire.

I didn’t want to think about the pain she had to endure, about the absolute terror. Women should be protected in our world, kept away from harm. Maybe it was an old-fashioned view, but I simply wanted them protected. With Marcella my family had failed and now with Greta another woman I loved had suffered.

I could feel Remo’s eyes on me the entire time, but I didn’t care. I’d learned from my father that loving someone didn’t mean you were weak.