Redemption by Dana Delamar

Author:Dana Delamar
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Aspendawn Books
Published: 2013-12-30T05:00:00+00:00

Ruggero, Tommaso, Don Enrico, and several guards waited patiently on the balcony while the officers took statements from Antonio and Bianca, but all Antonio could think about was the hard, tight expression on Enrico’s face when he’d walked in. Was he planning to demote Antonio? Did Enrico blame him for sending Sandro over the edge?

Or was Enrico angry that Antonio had taken up with Bianca? She was Don Enrico’s charge, and of course he’d want her to make a good marriage—one that wouldn’t anger her brothers. Antonio shouldn’t have been with Bianca. He might as well have thrown a lit match into a pool of petrol.

Yet another thing he’d screwed up royally.

Finally the polizia left, and Enrico and the guards stepped inside. Enrico still looked angry, and Antonio’s pulse jumped. The don’s eyes traveled from Antonio to Bianca and back. “I hadn’t realized I’d given you permission to court Bianca,” he said.

Oh fuck. “Forgive me, Don Enrico. I have no excuse.”

“You do realize this is just about the worst thing you could do.” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I thought you were trying to help me resolve the situation with Sandro.”

Antonio said nothing. What could he say?

The don crossed his arms. “I want you to move back into the house.”

What? “That is not necessary.”

“You were right. It’s not safe for you here.”

So now, suddenly, Antonio was right? Out of nowhere, his anger erupted. “I don’t want to cause any more trouble between you and your wife.”

Ruggero gave him a look loaded with disapproval. Enrico passed a hand over his face, then stared down at the tiles, his eyes straying to the pool of blood that marked where Raffaele had lost his life. “I want you safe, Tonio, whatever it takes.” His voice was unexpectedly soft.

Antonio wasn’t willing to let go of his bitterness just yet. “Give me two guards then.”

“I’d really like you back in the house.”

“So you can police who I sleep with?”

“Tonio.”

“I’ll be fine with two guards.”

Enrico focused on the guards and Bianca. “We need a moment.” As soon as they’d all gone out to the balcony, Enrico sighed. “I thought you had grown up some. That you’d stopped acting like a boy.”

“This is about Bianca.”

“Among other things.”

“She’s an adult.”

“She’s also my goddaughter.”

“And you want her to do better than a damn orphan.”

Enrico scrubbed a hand through his hair, the gesture impatient. “That is not the issue. If she were Giovanna d’Imperio, would you have taken her to bed?”

“Of course not.”

“And why not?”

“Her father would skin me alive.” His cheeks heated at the admission.

“And I should do any different?”

Antonio studied the marble floor. “Bianca and I—there’s something there. Something we can’t resist.”

“You should have spoken to me about it.”

“I know.”

Enrico was silent for several moments, probably waiting for an apology Antonio wasn’t going to make. Finally he spoke. “Because you’re my second, I’ll let this pass.”

“Do we have your blessing?”

“For what? Is this headed toward marriage?”

What a question. “I don’t know.”

“Do you love her?”

Antonio remembered Enrico’s desperation after Kate left him.

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