Page 233 of Savage Devotion
“You messaged me. I figured you’d show up. I wanted to introduce you to my friends. It was perfect timing really, but Marbles is almost as good as Asylum when it comes to that stuff.”
Marbles winked at us as he rolled the marbles around in his hand.
“You have questions. Nox has answers. So ask.” Church settled back in his seat. The room went silent.
I cleared my throat and focused on Nox Virelli.
“Roberto is your father?”
“Unfortunately,” he answered. “I’m the dreaded love child of him and Satan, aka Julia Moretti.”
“Moretti?” I frowned. “As in… Marissa Moretti? Anabella Moretti?”
“Yes. Aunt Marissa and Aunt Ana.” Nox gave me a smirk. “Your mother, Marissa. Ana, Dominic De Santis’s mother.”
“My mother only had Anabella?—”
“Julia was a monster. They tried to marry her off to Anthony, your father, but his parents refused the marriage because she was having an affair with my father. They didn’t want their name tarnished or for Anthony to raise a son from another man. The Morettis were desperate for the alliance with the De Lucas, so they offered Marissa. Anthony accepted without hesitation when he was told about it, and so, there you are, and here I am.”
“Where is Julia?” I demanded.
“Dead.” Nox eyed me. “She’s here and there. I took parts of her body and left them like a scavenger hunt for my father to find. As you can imagine, he is not happy. He continued to fuck her all while married. Even had a second kid with her. My sister Hailey, who is missing. It’s why I went on a killing spree. Why I ended up in Stillwater. Why I’m still searching for my sister. My other sister, Kara, works with Church.”
“Kara works with you?” I looked at Church, who nodded.
“She does. She is one of my best. She’s very good at getting into places she doesn’t belong. Moves like the night and strikes at midnight.” Church smirked at me. “She is an asset.”
“How are you involved?” I looked at Marbles, who had been quietly playing with his marbles in his hand.
“Timing,” he murmured. “I was locked away at Stillwater and along came the insomniac.” He smirked at Nox. “I like his brand of crazy. He is like your Ethan. Very good at creating drugs, but his drugs are definitely meant to do harmful things. I like harmful things.”
This man was truly insane. While I didn’t think Nox Virelli was nuts, I didn’t question Silas De Santis’s sanity. He really was crazy.
“I am a psychopath. A sociopath,” Marbles murmured. “Yes. Crazy. But who isn’t around here? It’s my purpose. My father is a really great guy like that. I am only doing what I was created to do. With a twist, of course.” Another wild laugh.
“So you knew I was coming for answers?” I asked Church.
“You’re a smart man, Lorenzo. You’re always wanting more, answers included. Tell me, what’s it like not being in charge of the empire you created? My brother-in-law has been doing some impressive work over the last few hours. I knew you’d left before he could even dial my number to tell me. He was meant to rule. Did you know seventeen men from Virelli’s side have died today under his rule?” Church laughed.
Rosalie shook in her seat beside me.
“Constantino De Santis is a force,” Church continued. “The Virelli family is losing its mind. They don’t understand what’s happening. Dominic De Santis is storming the city under Constantino’s orders. It’s hell out there. You were a scary ruler, Lorenzo, but Constantino? That’s what a man who loves a woman looks like when he rules. He tears apart worlds to protect her and those he loves. You should take notes.”
I swallowed hard at his words. “I also love Rosalie.”
Church scoffed. “You will always be second. Maybe even third, because Cole Scott is really putting in the work. I’m impressed.”
“He is not second,” Rosalie said. “Dante, enough. I love him. Evan is doing this to bring our family back together.”
“He is.” Church nodded. “I’m just feeling really fucking proud of him, sister. I’m merely boasting. Besides, Lorenzo pisses me off.”
I glared at him. “I came here for answers.”
“And yet haven’t asked me the question. So ask it.” Church eyed me.
“Were you involved in my parents’ deaths? Everett helped orchestrate the massacre at our engagement party. Did you help?”
Church was quiet as he studied me. Rosalie sat forward, her lips parted.
