Page 145 of The Don’s Omega

My heart is racing as I hold his dark gaze. The man I’ve known as warm and fatherly isn’t there anymore. He’s looking at me like I’m his enemy.

“This is what happens when you get too close to the Foschini family.” His voice is filled with disgust. “People get hurt. Innocent people like you and my son.”

“You admit I’m innocent in all of this?”

“Yes.” His mouth thins. “But when you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas.”

I blow out a shaky breath. “So, what you’re saying is you’re mad at the Foschinis for something and I’m going to pay the price?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Even though I… I did nothing to you?”

He shrugs. “Marcello is much harder to get to. You were easy to manipulate. I mean, just look at how you showed up at my house searching for answers. You literally delivered yourself to me. Am I not supposed to take advantage of that?”

I realize it’s in my best interests to keep him talking while I try and figure a way out of this nightmare. The cavalry isn’t coming. Marcello is on the other side of the country, and Dante has no idea where I am. It’s up to me to do something because this isn’t just about me. If I die, my child dies. I can’t let that happen.

“What… what happened to your son?” I ask.

He curls his lip. “You don’t really care about my son.”

“Well, I’d certainly like to know why I’m going to die,” I rasp. “The reason is obviously connected to Marcello’s family and your son.”

He considers me for a moment, then says, “Fair enough. My son’s name was Cristiano.” His mouth tilts downward and he looks older all at once. “He was such a good boy. Wanted to make a mark in the world, but he wasn’t arrogant about it. He just wanted something to show for his life. All men do.”

“Yes, of course.”

His mouth hardens. “But he died before he could do that.” His eyes glitter with resentment. “All because Adriano Foschini got himself into trouble.”

“I don’t understand.”

“No, of course you don’t.” He lets out a harsh breath. “My son died because Adriano was too precious to do time in prison.”

I watch him apprehensively. “I’m sorry, I still don’t understand.”

“Adriano got into trouble with the law. My old pal Domenico Foschini came up with a plan to keep his son out of prison,” he says bitterly. “The golden heir couldn’t go to prison. So my dear old friend bought Cristiano. Paid him a fortune to stand up in a courtroom and claim another man’s crime. He seduced my son with promises of riches waiting for him on the other side.”

Uneasiness curls in my gut as I listen. “Your son took Adriano’s place in prison?”

“Yes.” His mouth hardens. “Spoiler alert, he never walked out of that prison.” Salvatore’s knuckles have gone white. “Some lowlife who wanted his cigarettes stuck a shiv in him in the showers.”

“Jesus.”

“My son didn’t belong in there. Cristiano wasn’t made for a place like that.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I… I can’t imagine losing a child.”

He grits his teeth. “Marcello is going to understand how painful it is.”

Terror rolls through me. “No, Salvatore, please. It’s tragic what happened to Cristiano, but I… I had nothing to do with it.”

He curls his lip. “You made your bed when you married a Foschini.”

“Killing me and my baby won’t bring your son back.”

“No.” His lips thin. “But it’ll destroy Marcello, and that’s enough for me.”

“That’s not fair,” I say hoarsely. “My child shouldn’t have to die for his father’s sins.”