Page 144 of The Don’s Omega

“Yes.” I smile weakly. “As you know, I’ve been very worried for Marcello. Did it go okay when you spoke to Naldo?”

He studies me for a few moments, then seems to come to some sort of decision. “Unfortunately, I’m afraid you won’t like what I’m about to say, dear boy.”

I tense, stomach dropping. “Didn’t it go well with Naldo?”

He grimaces. “Well, it’s not really that simple.”

I frown. “It’s not?”

“No.” He sighs. “You see, I didn’t talk to Naldo.”

I blink at him, confused. “You didn’t?”

“No.” He sighs and sets his tea down.

“Didn’t you have dinner with him?”

He grimaces. “Oh, I had dinner with him, but we didn’t discuss Marcello.”

“I don’t understand.” I frown. “You volunteered to speak with him. It… it was your idea. You… you offered to smooth things over for Marcello.”

“Yes. I did make that offer.”

The more he speaks the more confused I feel. “I’m sorry. I… I don’t understand why you didn’t speak with Naldo about Marcello. Can you at least explain to me why you didn’t?”

“I didn’t speak with Naldo because I never actually intended to speak to him.” His voice has taken on a hard quality. “I have no real interest in helping Marcello.”

“What?” Shock rolls through me. “But you said—”

“I know what I said, Elio,” he snaps.

“So you lied about trying to help?” A chill shifts through me. “But… why would you lie about something like that?”

There’s the tiniest hint of guilt in his eyes, but then it’s gone. “Why do you think?”

“I have no idea.” Feeling breathless, I set my cup of tea on the table next to my chair. “Did I do something to upset you, Salvatore?”

“I’m afraid this isn’t really about you at all,” he says softly. “You were just a means to an end.”

“Salvatore, what the hell is going on?”

He doesn’t speak but his face changes. Not all at once. By degrees. It’s like watching the tide go out and finding what was underneath the whole time. The warmth drains from his eyes and what replaces it is something cold and hard. “Sorry, Elio,” he says.

My mouth goes dry. “For what?”

“For what’s going to happen to you.”

“What’s going to happen?” I whisper with dread.

His eyes flicker. “You and your child are going to pay for Marcello’s sins.”

“What are you talking about?” I hiss, eyes wide, my hands going protectively to my stomach.

“He needs to pay for what he did to me and my family.”

“I don’t understand. What did he do to you?”

“I had a son once.” He says it so quietly I almost don’t catch it.