Page 132 of Wicked Truths
Dante and Lia enter the room, her hand protectively over her swollen belly. The sight of them—alive, safe—sends another wave of relief through me.
“Dad,” Dante says, his eyes darting to the bags being carried out to the rear of the hotel to a waiting boat. “It’s over?”
“It’s over,” I confirm, walking toward them. I take Lia’s hands in mine. “You know, you’re probably the strongest person who will ever get to be the boss.”
She smiles, a fierce light in her eyes. “I’ll be the one who changes things. The Syndicate won’t always be about violence and retribution.”
“I believe you will,” I say, and I mean it.
Dante wraps his arms around his wife’s shoulder, kisses her cheek. “First, you’re going on early maternity leave.”
She laughs, the sound bright against the darkness of what just happened. “We’ll see about that.”
I look around the room, at the cleaners, as they check one last time that they've eliminated every trace of what happened before they leave on the boat to destroy the bodies. “Everything is taken care of. I’m going home now.”
The relief of having sabotaged the threat to my family makes my steps lighter as I walk through the venue toward the exit.
But outside, Detective Ingram walks toward me, her badge glinting in the afternoon sun.
She is smiling as she says, “Dominic de Luca. I’m arresting you for the murder of Helena Bailey.”
My euphoria crashes down around me. I straighten my shoulders, meeting her gaze steadily.
“At least you got her name right.”
35
Caleb
I pace the driveway,checking my watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. The news about the explosion after Helena’s funeral has me on edge. When Dom’s car finally pulls up, relief floods through me, only to vanish when I see Amara’s face through the window.
Amara stumbles out, mascara streaking down her cheeks, her entire body trembling. I rush forward, catching her as she nearly collapses against me.
“Hey, hey, I’ve got you,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around her.
Milly climbs out next, slamming the door behind her. Her face is pale but composed—too composed.
“This is insane,” she hisses, pacing the driveway. “Someone just tried to kill Lia and Dante. A bomb, Caleb. A fucking bomb! We should never have left Dad. At least with him, we weren’t targets in some mafia war.”
I keep one arm around Amara while facing Milly. “I’m sure you’re safe.”
“Maybe so, but we’re still living in the epicenter.” Milly runs her hands through her hair. “I need air. I need space. If it’s okay with you, I’m going to the casino.”
I stare at her in disbelief. “The casino? Now? After what just happened?”
“Especially after what just happened.” She pulls out her phone. “I can’t just sit here waiting to die.”
Selfish.Considering the state her sister is in, I’d have thought she’d be more caring. But at the same time, I’m relieved at the chance to be alone with Amara.
“I’ll stay with Amara as long as needed,” I tell Milly. “Poppy’s at a sleepover at her friend’s house, anyway.”
“Thanks. I’ll wait here for Enzo to pick me up.”
Amara suddenly jerks away from me, grabbing her sister’s arm. “You can’t go out tonight! Are you crazy? You might be the next target!”
“I’m just me, Amara,” Milly says with a hollow laugh. “Like Caleb said, why would anyone target me?”
“Tell her, Caleb,” Amara pleads, turning to me with desperate eyes. “Tell her it’s not safe.” She clutches at my shirt. “Someone tried to kill Lia and Dante. There was a car bomb, Caleb. My sister could’ve died!”
