Francesca
We entered the basement of the restaurant and crawled through the tight space until we were able to stand upright in the sewer system. Of course, it smelled like shit, and even breathing through my mouth didn’t prevent the humid sensation forming on my tongue.
Don Russo was in the lead with some of his men, and I stayed with Leo and Andre and Elio, who all stuck to me closely, Cosa Nostra and us combining in a way my father never would have imagined.
Don Russo knew where we were going, taking a turn and then opening a door that was locked with a combination padlock.
He tugged the door open and then entered, moving up the vertical stairs, into another passage, and then reaching stone steps that led upward into the dark.
A metal handlebar was welded into the ceiling, and Don Russo grabbed on to it and then began to slowly drag it backward, creating an opening that pointed right to the sky.
Another guy helped him, sliding the door farther until the gap was big enough for people to climb through.
I’d never expected there would be a secret passageway when I’d had dinner in the restaurant a couple weeks ago.
“You can change your mind,” Leo said as he stood beside me and watched the men ahead climb up into the garden.
I turned to look at him.
“I go where you go.”
I stared at him in the low lighting, the sunlight a little too distant from us to blanket our features. I wasn’t sure if I saw fear or remorse in that stare. “He made me watch Wolfe be sealed in that coffin and lowered into the ground while a priest gave his last rites.”
Leo didn’t have a distinct reaction to that, but his pupils dilated as if that information was disturbing.
“It was worse than watching Dad get shot in the head. At least with that…it was over and done with. No suffering. I watched his life leave his eyes within a second or two. But knowing Wolfe was in the pitch-black and listening to the dirt fall on the lid… I can’t bear it.
I know he would say he wasn’t scared and that’s the kind of adrenaline he used to chase, but I’m not sure I would believe him. ”
Leo continued to listen to me as we moved farther up in the line to get out.
“The only thing I’m scared about is someone getting to Icarus before I do.”
Leo gave a nod in affirmation. “Then I’m with you.”
“You don’t have to come, Leo. I don’t need you—”
“I go where you go,” he said as he looked ahead. “If you die, I die with you.”
Leo had tried to win me over with his words multiple times, but I couldn’t deny that he’d put his money where his mouth was this time.
He’d stayed at my side when Icarus came for me, and he’d helped me dig Wolfe out of that grave, when he could have easily been shot in the back of the head.
“I know you don’t want to hear this right now, and I’m sorry for saying it, but…
I love you.” He didn’t look at me as he said those words.
“I never really appreciated you as my sister until Dad was gone. Until—until I got him killed, I mean. Just wanted you to know that in case one or both of us doesn’t make it out of here. ”
I didn’t know what to say to that, and within the next step, it was my turn to climb out. Men from above offered me a hand and helped me to my feet, my rifle dangling around me from the strap over my shoulder. I had a pistol in my shoulder holster and extra ammo clipped to the strap.
The gardens were beautiful, immaculately manicured edges and trees, paths lined with pavers in between.
It seemed like a waste of space for such a big property.
It could easily be demolished, and an entirely different building could be built instead.
But it was special, all this natural beauty in an ancient, stone city.
Once everyone was out, we began our approach to the rear of the terrace, the sound of gunfire loud from the front of the house, despite the enormous building between us.
Don Russo put his phone to his ear and made a call.
He held his phone there for a long time before he lowered it. “Rosaria isn’t answering.”
That wasn’t good.
“Move ahead.”
At Don Russo’s order, Cosa Nostra flanked out and proceeded to approach the terrace like they’d trained for this, when there was no way they could have anticipated such an event.
Leo and the rest of us followed behind, and I gripped my gun as I looked ahead, hoping Wolfe was okay in the battle in front.
Everyone came to a halt, and it took me a second to understand why.
And then I saw it, Icarus standing on the terrace with his arms crossed over his chest…and a big smile on his face. Behind him were a woman and two teenage girls, all of them with nooses around their necks as they stood on boxes.
Armed men were everywhere, their guns gripped but not aimed.
My heart did a somersault before it rolled to the bottom of the hill in the pit of my stomach. I immediately glanced at Don Russo to see his horrified expression. I could only see the back of his head, but I could tell from his posture he was scared.
Icarus continued to wear his arrogant grin.
He’d known this would happen.
He’d known Wolfe would hit him from the front, and we would sneak up on him from the rear.
Which meant there was a snitch.
“Glad you could make it, Don.” He turned to one of his men. “Grab the guest of honor a chair. I want him to have the best view for the show.”
I remembered Wolfe mentioning some depravity that Icarus had committed when they met, but he didn’t specify what it was for my protection. It must have been pretty terrible because Icarus seemed willing to kill an innocent woman and two kids.
Icarus gestured to the chair. “Take a seat. Get comfy.”
We were all frozen, unsure what move to make because if we took a shot, then Don Russo’s family would also be shot.
Don Russo didn’t move, probably paralyzed by fear—not for himself, but for his family.
Icarus suddenly lost his patience and kicked the chair. “Sit!” This time, he yelled, yelled loudly enough that his voice echoed back at him.
I pitied Don Russo, knowing exactly how he felt just a few hours ago. We were in this position because I’d asked for his help, and even though Don Russo knew this was a trap, he didn’t know it would come at such a high personal cost.
Don Russo slowly walked up the steps and approached the chair.
I swore that every single person there held their breath.
The younger of the two girls, who looked about twelve, started to sob. “Dad…”
“It’ll be alright, sweetheart,” he said in a calm voice as he moved to the chair.
“How touching,” Icarus said. “To lie to your daughter, knowing full well she’s going to die a very painful death.”
Fucking monster.
Icarus turned to the little girl. His back was to me so I couldn’t see his face, but I had a feeling he grinned at her.
“Daddy is gonna sit here and beg for your life, understanding I’m absolutely going to kill you anyway.
And your sister.” He turned to look at Rosaria.
“And your mother. All because he thought he was sooooo much smarter than me.” He turned back to Don Russo, who’d taken a seat in the chair.
The older sister looked to be about fifteen, and her bottom lip quivered as the fear kicked in. She probably didn’t understand exactly what was about to happen, but she knew her father wouldn’t be able to save her.
Icarus snapped a finger, and one of the other men brought a chair forward for him to sit. They were the same chairs we’d used for that dinner Cosa Nostra had held under the stars and by candlelight. A beautiful memory ruined by a horrible reality.
Icarus took a seat, spread his knees wide apart and sank into the chair like he was tired after a long day.
One elbow was propped on the metal armrest as he looked at Don Russo across from him, cocking his head to one side and then the other.
“I just want to rehash a couple points before we continue the show. I want the record to reflect that I gave you ample warning this would happen—and you disregarded that.”
I didn’t have a clue how Don Russo was doing, if he even looked at Icarus or if he stared at his family behind him.
“You thought—like the silly old man that you are—that you would outsmart me.” His hand moved to his chest, and he released a loud laugh. “Me.”
Just when I thought I couldn’t hate this man more, my rage reached new heights.
“I’ve been moving my chess pieces across the board, and you’ve been running around like cockroaches without heads.
Wolfe and your main guys are trapped out front by my firing squad, while you’re about to witness a public execution.
Then I’ll kill all of you, and…” He started to wipe his palms together to brush off invisible dirt.
“And then my job will be done. Sicily will be a territory under the king’s regime, and everyone’s happy.
So…” He scooted forward in his chair, his elbows still resting on his knees.
“Would you like to say goodbye before I hang them? Or would you rather plead for me to change my mind?”
Rage coursed through my veins like acid because I was sick of this asshole’s games. All of this had been one long, fucking game.
Don Russo didn’t speak.
“Which is it gonna be?” Icarus barked.
Don Russo finally found his voice after a heavy pause. “I’m the one you want…not them.” His voice shook like he was already in tears, a grown man who had been eviscerated by fear.
Icarus nodded like he was raptly listening to every word. “Uh-huh. Sure.”
I shook my head in ferocity, and without really thinking it through, I took a step forward.
But Leo grabbed me around the wrist like he’d somehow read my mind. And he gave me a wild look with wide eyes and mouthed, “Don’t do it.”
I twisted out of his grasp and stepped forward. “No, they aren’t what you want. Not when you can have me instead.”
“Frankie.” My brother’s hiss came from behind me.