He was right. Once the family homes were replaced by storage facilities, the Outfit cars closed in and started firing. Since Matteo was close behind us with the other rental car, Romero didn’t get a clear shot at our pursuers, but I could see Luca shooting bullet after bullet through the open passenger window. I couldn’t see Aria and Gianna; they were probably crouched on the back seat so they didn’t get hit by bullets.
What if we didn’t get away? What if all of our lives ended here?
One of the bullets tore through the tire of one of our pursuers. The car spun around and stopped. But the other two cars closed in. I couldn’t even see their license tag anymore.
I wasn’t sure how long they chased us but I knew at one point either Matteo or Romero would make a mistake and lose control of their car.
Suddenly both cars slowed and then they did a U-turn.
“Why have they stopped following us?”
“Dante’s orders, I assume. I told you, he is a very cautious man. He’ll wait for a better opportunity to make us pay. This is too risky for his taste,” Romero said.
I exhaled. I knew it was far from over. From what I knew of Dante, Romero was right, but I was simply glad that we’d all get away unscathed tonight. We’d figure out the rest tomorrow. I glanced at Romero again. I couldn’t believe I’d finally be allowed to be with him.
* * *
Except for two toilet breaks, we didn’t stop on our drive to New York and then we barely spoke. When the skyline of New York finally rose up outside of the car, relief flooded me. For some reason the city already felt like home and I knew we’d be safer here. This was Luca’s city. It wouldn’t be easy for Dante to attack us here.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Romero
After more than fourteen hours on the road, we arrived at Luca’s penthouse. Lily had fallen asleep a couple of times during our drive but she’d startled awake almost instantly. She was probably having nightmares about Benito. I was so fucking glad that I’d killed him. When I’d walked into the bedroom and seen Benito with a letter opener in his body, I’d wanted to scream with joy. I knew the next few weeks and months, maybe even years, would be hard on the Famiglia, and for each of us. Dante would retaliate with everything he had.
I parked the car in the underground garage and got out. Lily could hardly stand on her own feet from exhaustion but she put on a brave face. I wanted nothing more than to take her home with me, but first, Luca, Matteo, and I needed to have a talk without the risk of an Outfit attack.
When we stepped into the penthouse, Aria and Gianna led Lily toward the sofa. A protest lay on the tip of my tongue. I still felt very protective of her after almost losing her and wanted her at my side at all times, but it would have been ridiculous to say something. She was still in the same room as me. Her longing gaze in my direction when she sat down between her sisters told me that Lily felt the same way.
“We have to call everyone in for a meeting. They need to know that the truce between the Outfit and us is no longer in effect. I don’t want anyone to walk into a trap because they thought they could trust an Outfit bastard,” Luca said. I could tell that he was still pissed at me, and he had every right to be. That he hadn’t killed me was a bigger sign of his friendship than I’d ever hoped for.
“Some people might not be happy with Liliana and you,” Matteo said. “They probably won’t act on their anger but I’d be careful if I were you.”
“Don’t worry. And if someone lays a finger on Lily, I’ll rip their throat out.”
“I think you have done enough damage for a while,” Luca said tightly. “And nobody will try to hurt Liliana. She’s now part of the Famiglia and under my protection. I assume you’re going to marry her?”
I had never asked her but I wanted her to be my wife. “If she says yes, then I’ll marry her.”
“After all the drama of today, she better marry you,” Matteo muttered. He leaned against the dining table and yawned widely.
“I’ll ask her soon enough.”
Luca raised his hand. “This isn’t our main concern right now. We have to double security measures. We didn’t only kidnap Scuderi’s daughter, we killed a Captain with a loyal following of soldiers. There will be blood to pay.”
I chanced another look at Lily. The Outfit might try to kill her. Knowing her father, he’d probably do it himself. He’d have to go through me if he tried to hurt her.
Liliana
After two hours in Luca’s apartment, we were finally at Romero’s place. I’d never been there and I was curious despite my exhaustion. I could tell that Romero was tense but I wasn’t sure why. Maybe he regretted everything that had happened? Or maybe he was only worried about what was to come.
Romero unlocked his door and opened it wide for me. I walked past him into a long hallway. Family photos in pretty silver frames decorated the walls. I promised myself to take a closer look at them later. Several doors branched off of the hallway. Romero led me toward the last one on the right. A master bedroom waited behind it but we didn’t stop there. We had been on the road for hours and I’d been awake for more than twenty-four hours. It was already past noon but I wanted to sleep.
I could still smell Benito on me though; his blood, his sweat, his body odor. It made me sick. Romero opened the door to the adjoining bathroom. I quickly shimmied out of my clothes and stepped into the
