Page 102 of When She Unravels
“What do you think?”
“I’m afraid Nelo’s behavior today disqualified him as a potential husband for my sister.”
There’s a prolonged silence before Sal responds with a humorless laugh. “What did my nephew do this time?”
“I had a woman in my home when he stopped by. He got handsy.”
“Hardly a big offense.”
“She wasn’t his to touch.”
There’s a rustling sound, and I imagine Sal is leaning forward in his seat. “Whose is she?”
“Mine.”
This time, he ejects a gleeful laugh. A new weak spot for him to probe at. “You mustn’t have been happy about that.”
“I shot his hand. He’ll be fine.”
“Mio Dio. I’d like to see this woman who has made you so possessive. Well, I’ll tell Nelo that wasn’t done well. He was a guest in your home after all.”
“I would appreciate that,” I force out.
“The business with Mari… Let’s not write it off so quickly. Nelo will act the perfect gentleman next time he’s around. You have my word on that.”
By now, Nelo is well aware the next time he comes around, he’s not leaving this house alive, but I don’t bother getting into it with Sal. “If you say so. I’ll let you get back to your dinner.”
“Say hello to your new friend from me. What’s her name by the way?”
“Ale Romero,” I say without hesitation. “She’s just a seasonal worker.”
“Maybe I’ll have to stop by before the season’s up,” he muses. “Goodbye, Damiano.”
I hang up and head back upstairs to get Valentina.
I find her in my bedroom, folding her clothes on my bed. The sight of her in my space is like a warm caress. It pleases me more than I care to admit.
She hears me enter and turns, holding the clothes in her hands. “I wasn’t sure where to put these.”
“The maid will clear space in the closet for you,” I say. “Leave it for now. Ras is waiting for us downstairs.”
Her posture stiffens. “Did you tell him about Lazaro and me?”
Does she really think I’d share her secret as soon as I left her? “No, and I won’t if you don’t want me to.”
She relaxes. “Thank you.”
I can tell she’s still ashamed. She blames herself for what her husband forced her to do, that sick fucking waste of—
No, enough. I’ll wait to know if he’s alive or not before I contemplate all the brutal ways I’ll make him pay.
We descend to the living room and make our way to my office. Ras is standing by the bookshelf, his arms crossed over his chest. He cocks his head to the side when he sees me helping Vale walk, so that she doesn’t need to put much pressure on her injured foot. She eases down into a chair and looks at him. “I won’t waste your time. Here’s what I know.”
A smile tugs at my lips at her directness.
“The morning of the day Martina and I got away, there was a bridal shower with all the inner-circle women.”
“Your sisters were there?” Ras asks.
