3: 3
Once I made up my mind to leave, I started clearing out everything I didn't want.
The whole penthouse had been dressed the way I liked it, high above the city Salvatore ruled through his hotels and his shadow rackets. Most of what filled it, I'd chosen myself.
Salvatore said he wanted me to feel at ease here, wanted me to wake up happy and come home happy every single day.
I'd picked the gray-blue curtains.
I'd sat in more than a dozen sofas before settling on that one.
The paintings on the walls, I'd only glanced at them a second too long, and he'd bought them on the spot, the way a Don buys anything that catches the eye of what belongs to him.
Now, thinking it over slowly, none of it had ever really been my home. It was a cage he'd built to fit me exactly, gilded and guarded, with an enforcer always somewhere past the door.
Things I used to love, I now hated even to look at.
So I swept it all into black trash bags.
Once everything was cleared, I pulled out my suitcase and packed only what mattered.
Salvatore came in from the hall and frowned. The two men outside straightened as he passed, then went quiet again.
"Why does the place look so empty?"
I didn't look up, kept packing. "Getting rid of the stuff I don't want. Planning to buy some new things."
"Whatever makes you happy. Just tell me if you're short on tribute." His eyes fell on the bare vanity table. "I've got an arrangement out of town in a few days. Anything you want me to bring back?"
"No need."
"Didn't you say last time you were out of that face cream, that brand you like?"
I was patting Isabella's back, coaxing her to sleep, and didn't lift my head. "I don't really want it anymore."
The things, the man, I didn't want any of it anymore.
...
Before the sealed assignment on the allied Family's turf, everyone traveling under their protection had to be cleared by a doctor first.
I finished Isabella's checkup, and while we were in line waiting for the results, I saw Salvatore and Adriana standing outside the urgent-care clinic.
Her voice came soft and stuffed-up with a cold. "This is all your fault. You had the AC blasting yesterday and gave me a fever."
He pinched her nose, helpless. "And who insisted on doing it in the car? Lesson learned. Not next time."
Her number was called just as his phone rang, so he didn't go in with her.
He hung up, turned around, and there I was, standing quietly.
The instant our eyes met, he froze, then came striding over. The people between us stepped aside without being told.
"Francesca, why are you here? Is Isabella sick?"
He reached out to touch Isabella's face. I took a step back, my voice level.
"Family checkup. I brought Isabella along."
"Oh." His eyes flicked toward the exam room, and he answered before I could ask. "One of our people is ill. I came to keep them company."
I didn't ask what associate was so important that the Don himself had to escort them to a doctor.
"I'm going home first."
I didn't wait for his reply. I turned and left without looking back.
So I didn't see the complicated look in his eyes behind me.
That night he came home earlier than usual. The enforcers in the corridor faded back into the walls as he passed.
I sat in the living room watching TV and ignored him.
He came over carrying a cake.
"Francesca, didn't you say last time you wanted the cake from this place? I took a detour after work and picked it up for you."
I glanced at the logo.
I didn't know the brand.
But last time, following the trail, I'd dug up Adriana's social media, and she'd posted it there.
On the outskirts of the city, ten-plus miles from his office.
I smiled.
Keep one foot in two boats and sooner or later it capsizes.
He saw me smile and thought I was pleased.
"Go on, try it." He held out the spoon.
I didn't take it. My smile faded. "Salvatore, let's sever the blood oath."
No. That came later. My smile faded. "Salvatore, I never said I wanted this place."
He went still. I rarely called him by his full name.
"Then I must have remembered wrong." His breathing turned uneven as he leaned in to kiss me. "Don't be upset. Whatever you want, I'll go get it right now."
I dodged him. Then I turned the plain band on my ring finger once, slowly, feeling its full weight before I let it go. "Salvatore, let's sever the blood oath."
The color drained from his face, inch by inch.
