Page 24 of Condemned to You

Marco leans back, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “That’s where the games get interesting. You make him doubt. You make him think he’s being watched, that he’s surrounded. You send a little bird to whisper in his ear— there are eyes everywhere.”

“What if he calls your bluff?”

“Fear is a tool, Emilio. Use it wisely. But remember, you can’t just threaten; you have to charm as well. Make him think you’re the friend he never knew he needed. Get him to trust you while you’re tightening the noose.”

I nod, absorbing the lesson, but a flicker of doubt crosses my mind. “What if it backfires? What if he doesn’t care?”

Marco leans forward, his demeanor shifting from mentor to predator. “Then you remind him who he’s dealin’ with. You show him just how deep the roots of this garden run. Never forget, Emilio—every king has his pawns, but it’s the king who controls the board.”

He extinguished his cigar with a finality that echoed through the room.

“Rachel tells me you’re street smart and I trust her judgment. I also don’t forget those who helped my family. My wife is grateful that you saved her sister that night.”

“I would only hope if one of my sisters were in that position someone would do the right thing too.”

Marco taught me a lot of things and I’d only grown to perfect the art of mental warfare. Finding out who the target’s closest friends were. Got to know their weaknesses. Then planted seeds and watched how they grew. I’d made a name for myself from it, so I knew the signs of them and I guaranteed it was being done now to me.

Chapter Thirteen

I did my best to enjoy the spa even though my skin crawled with paranoia. My gut said everything was fine but my mind was spiraling into madness. Bethany didn’t seem to notice which made it easier to conceal my concern. The car ride home was long and by the time we got back we were starving.

“Why don’t we do dinner tonight at that place you keep eyeing?” I suggested.

“Sjávargrillið? That’d be nice. Not sure I have anything nice enough to wear.”

“Maybe you need to look a little harder.”

Scratching her head, she sat up in the bed. Getting out of bed, I walked over to the closet and pulled out a dress she had been eyeing at a local boutique. It was an olive green long sleeve form fitting dress that hit her mid thigh. As I pulled it out, I held it out for her to see.

A big smile crossed her face, “Emilio, you didn’t have to buy me anything.”

“I figured you’d feel more like yourself if you were dressed up for dinner.”

Jumping to her feet she gave me a big hug. “I’ll go shower.”

When the room was cleared, I grabbed my phone. In order for me to have peace of mind, I needed to make sure my communication through Father Joel wasn’t exposed. For years I was in the know of everything. I knew what was going on at every given moment. Since being gone, the stress of it fell off my shoulders but now I felt the burden of it on my chest heavier than ever.

I walked out to the balcony where the cool evening breeze gently caressed my skin and whipped out the phone from my pocket. The conversation started as usual.

“Bless me Father for I have sinned.”

“There’s no sin too great for the Lord to forgive my child,” the familiar voice responded.

Father Joel was assuring me our communications were still private and safe.

“I’m feeling lost and confused.”

“You must trust God has a plan and will reveal it in his own time. Job was a wealthy man who lost everything, including his children, to the devil. Job remained faithful to God and in the end, God rewarded Job's patience with twice as much as he had before.”

Father Joel was letting me know that Nicoletta no longer had concerns about her daughter. Perhaps Bethany’s note gave her a sense of ease? Were they not looking for her?

“God will always take care of his own,” I said at last.

“Yes my child. Remain steadfast in prayers and let me know when the man above speaks to you.”

“Thank you Father,” I replied before ending the call.

“Who is that?” Bethany said from behind me.