Vendetta (Blood for Blood #1)(78)

“Because …” I faltered.

Valentino narrowed his eyes, and I felt colder all of a sudden.

“Because my father would never hurt someone deliberately,” I said with renewed confidence. I wasn’t sure of much, but I was sure of that. “He’s not capable of such a thing.”

“Did you think your uncle was capable of masterminding an entire drug cartel before today?”

I hesitated.

“Did you think I was capable of overseeing a dynasty of assassins before the moment in which we now find ourselves?”

I looked away from him, but he didn’t relent.

“Did you think, the first time he kissed you, that Nic was capable of drowning a man in his own bathtub?”

“Stop,” I pleaded, feeling an overwhelming urge to vomit. “Just stop.”

“Masks,” said Valentino. “Look what happens when we take them off.”

“It’s horrible.” I buried my face in my hands again so he wouldn’t have the satisfaction of watching his words burn right through me.

“Absolute chaos,” he reminded me calmly, like he had not just annihilated my family’s reputation. “Since it is principally my decision, I think when we have apprehended your uncle at the warehouse, the correct course of action is to settle your father’s blood debt, once and for all.”

I lifted my head again, feeling dizzy and nauseous. “So you’re going to use me to lure him out and then kill me anyway?”

Valentino shrugged. “It is the best plan.”

I thought of my mother and Millie and had to choke back another sob. My mother wouldn’t survive this, she was barely hanging on as it was. And Millie — she had given up entire friendships to stick by me after my dad went to prison. She didn’t have anyone else, not anymore. We only had each other.

When Valentino spoke again his voice was clinical, though the musical edge endured, lilting his words as they stung, one by one. “Nic won’t come for you, Sophie. He doesn’t know about any of this.”

I didn’t say anything. I just sat there, feeling the hollowness inside me harden.

“Do you want a handkerchief?” He pulled a silken red square from the pocket of his shirt. His initials were monogrammed in black thread in the corner.

I ignored the gesture. “I thought you liked me. I thought we understood each other.”

“I do like you.” He tucked the handkerchief back in place, unaffected by my refusal. “If the circumstances were different, I think we’d be friends.”

“But you’re all set to kill me?”

He spoke matter-of-factly. “The reason I was appointed to this position by my father was because I have always been adept at keeping my personal feelings separate from the Falcone mission. I have the ability to compartmentalize.”

“Congratulations,” I spat.

“I’m not sure what Nic told you about me.” His left leg twitched against his right in a sudden spasm. “But Luca and I were appointed together, did you know that? Two bosses. It was a decision that was unheard of in underworld circles, but for our family it made sense. We have done everything together since before birth, each of us a half of one whole. I would remain cool and collected, making the decisions from afar, and he would ensure they were carried out effectively. That was the idea of it. Together we would be the perfect boss: fair and efficient. Removed and yet completely involved.”

“But he’s not the boss. He’s the underboss,” I argued pointlessly.

If Valentino was surprised by my knowledge of their infrastructure, he didn’t show it. “That’s right.” He smiled, revealing a glimpse of his teeth. “He deferred to me entirely shortly after our father’s death. He stepped back from his part in this role.”

“Why?” I gaped. If any of the five brothers fit the definition of a mob boss, it was Luca. Or so I’d have thought.

Valentino raised his hands, gesturing at the room and everything it encompassed: me, him, a black leather couch, my impending death. “Perhaps because of this. These kinds of maneuvers are particularly difficult to stomach.” He paused for a moment, ruminating on something. “Or,” he ventured, “perhaps he felt like he owed me.” He casually fanned his fingers toward his mangled leg, but his face flashed with something else. “In any case, Luca and I had always worked together in perfect harmony, until this situation came upon us. Of course, I argue with Nic all the time, so it’s no surprise we’ve had to keep him out of this, but this is the first time in my life that I have ever disagreed with my twin brother over anything. And the fact that it’s about the fate of a Gracewell girl he doesn’t even know is truly beyond me.”

I felt an unexpected heave in my chest.

“But I’m the boss,” Valentino surmised, the lyrical lilt of his voice veiling the bluntness of his statement. I got the sense he didn’t want the flicker of hope inside me growing any stronger.

“So the final decision rests with you,” I realized.

“It does,” he said solemnly. “And Luca will respect that.”

And just like that, the flicker died.

“Have you heard from my uncle?” I wished I could call Jack and tell him not to bother coming for me. If they were going to kill me anyway, the whole thing would be a trap.