“I don’t care how many men die.”

“But you care about Serafina’s wellbeing.”

Danilo gave a tight nod then lowered his head and took a deep breath.

“Let’s eat and then try to discuss options. We need a pause.”

“I’m not hungry,” Samuel muttered.

Pietro touched his son’s shoulder. “You need to eat so you can heal. We need you strong.”

That convinced Samuel and he finally pushed to his feet, wincing and his hand clamping over his side.

The table in the big kitchen was set for our family. Ines looked up when we stepped in and the sorrow in her eyes lay itself on my shoulders like an additional weight.

I didn’t get the chance to sit down because my phone rang. I took it out, glancing at the unknown number and suddenly a foreboding feeling took hold of me. I raised the phone to my ear. “Cavallaro.”

“Dante, good to hear your voice.”

I had never heard Remo Falcone’s voice and yet I knew it was him. Every word dripped with confidence, arrogance, and mocking triumph. I could feel heat rise into my face as anger burst through me. My fingers around the phone tightened and I struggled to keep my strong emotional reaction from showing. It would only excite Remo and worry my family.

I crossed the room and left but of course steps followed me.

“Remo,” I said.

“Tell him I’m going to rip his fucking throat out!” Samuel roared.

Danilo caught up with me. “Where’s Serafina?”

“Let me talk to my daughter!” Ines cried.

“I would like a word with you, Capo to Capo. From one man who had his territory breached to another. Two men of honor.”

I held up my hand to stop the others. Their cries and shouts would only give Remo what he craved and I would not allow that. “I’m a man of honor, Remo. I don’t know what you are, but honorable isn’t it.”

“Let’s agree to disagree on that.”

“Is Serafina alive?” I asked quietly after I’d brought a few steps between me and the others but they followed me. Ines froze and clutched Pietro’s arm. Pure, undiluted fear flashed in her eyes.

“I will break every fucking bone in your body!” Samuel shouted.

I made another shush motion but this was useless. Remo had gotten what he wanted. He’d bathe in his triumph for a while. “Is that her twin?” He didn’t even try to tone his gloating down.

My own fury burned so fiercely, I was surprised I hadn’t caught flames. “Is she alive?” Everyone looked at me. Their fear, their hope, their despair hit me like an avalanche I could hardly brave.

Remo chuckled. I would make him pay for this. One day I’d make him suffer tenfold. “What do you think?” he asked.

“She is, because alive she is worth more than dead.” Remo wouldn’t give up this game of cat and mouse any time soon. It was too much fun for someone like him.

“Indeed. I don’t have to tell you that I will kill her in the most painful way I can think of if a single Outfit soldier breaches my territory to save her, and I can be very creative when it comes to inflicting pain.”

Relief filled me knowing that Serafina was still alive, could still be saved. But I’d heard what Remo and his brother Nino had done to their enemies and could only hope that they wouldn’t show that side to Serafina. Not because they felt pity but because they wanted to dangle her fate over my head. “I want to speak to her.”

Ines sagged with relief, realizing what that meant. She clutched Pietro who let out a visible sigh. Danilo closed his eyes, releasing a deep breath. Samuel hovered close to me, his hand pressed to his side, which had started bleeding again.

“Not yet.”

“Remo, you crossed a line, and you will pay for it.”

“Oh, I’m sure you think so.”

“What do you want?” I’d attacked his territory. From what I knew from Remo and how he’d conquered the West and won back his birthright to rule over the Camorra, he wouldn’t be placated easily. Remo saw himself as the undisputed ruler of the West. Everyone who doubted his rulership was removed in the most brutal way possible. That my men had dared to attack him and his brothers was something he’d never forget or forgive, and he’d make me pay thoroughly for it. I doubted he’d name a price in exchange for Serafina I’d ever be willing to pay.

“It’s not time for that kind of conversation yet, Dante. I don’t think you are quite ready for it. Tomorrow morning, we will have another date. Set up a camera. I want you, her brother, father, and fiancé in a room in front of that camera. Nino will give you instructions how to set everything up. I will set up a camera myself so we can see and hear each other.”

“Remo—” I growled but then a click sounded. Remo had ended the call. I resisted the urge to smash the phone. I had more control than that, even if it was slipping with every passing moment. Slowly, I put my phone back into my pocket, weighing the words I’d say.

Danilo smiled bitterly. “He’s toying with us, isn’t he?”

I gave a terse nod. “He’s trying at least.”

Samuel stepped up to me. “What about Fina? Do you know anything?”

“She’s alive,” I said. “Tomorrow morning, he wants to establish a video connection.”

Ines frowned, glancing between Pietro and me. “What does that mean? Will he allow us to talk to Fina?”

Val pressed a palm to her chest and swallowed hard, realizing what Ines was incapable of seeing.

Danilo shook his head. “He’s going to make us watch?” He sank down on an armchair and propped his elbows up on his knees. “The fucker is going to make us watch when he tortures or… or… fuck!”

Samuel nodded toward the doorway where Anna, Leonas, and Sofia were poking their heads in, eyes wide, lips parted.

Danilo shoved to his feet and stalked out of the room, past the children who gawked at him. A few seconds later the front door slammed shut and the engine of his Mercedes roared to life.

Ines stumbled toward me. “Dante, do you really think they’re going to hurt my girl in front of a camera and make us watch?” She peered up at me, hoping I’d deny it, begging me to do it, and I wanted to do it, needed to do it and so I lied. “Danilo is overwhelmed. We don’t know what Remo wants to achieve with this call. Maybe he’ll let us talk to Fina to prove she’s well so he can start making demands.”

Ines nodded. She needed to believe this.

“Mom?” Sofia whispered and slowly came in. Pietro stared down at his clenched hands and Samuel had gone to the window and was clutching the frame.

Ines turned to Sofia and hugged her tightly, whispering words of assurance to her. Val approached me and squeezed my arm then kissed my cheek, whispering. “This was the right thing to say.”

Lies had a way of getting out and in this case, they would undoubtedly do so tomorrow.

Ines led Sofia back into the kitchen.

“Can you take Leonas and Anna back to the kitchen as well? I need to have a word with Pietro and Samuel.”

Val nodded then she turned around and gently ushered our children out. Leonas threw me a curious look while Anna pressed up to Val.

When it was only Samuel, Pietro and me, I let out a sigh.