Malavita Read Online Free Page A

added, “It was .”
    “What do you mean?”
    “My father wouldn’t stop the faida until your family was ground to dust. But he didn’t realize what this war was costing him. The men were weary, the merchants were sick of being caught in the crossfire, and the carabinieri wouldn’t keep looking the other way, no matter how much money he threw at them. The war had to be stopped, and in a way that let both sides save face.”
    She honestly thought she’d stopped the feud? “Wait a minute. Your father took advice from you? A girl?”
    She nodded. “I suggested it, and he listened.”
    “But… why?”
    Her face darkened. “Because he loves me. I was afraid for Dario. Especially after we got his finger in a box.”
    “ Madonna ,” Enrico murmured. What must that have been like for her? “I’m sorry about that too.”
    “You might tell Dario that.”
    “I don’t think he wants to hear it.”
    She shrugged. “Maybe not.”
    They stood there in silence, both of them looking anywhere but at each other. Finally he said, “Can we start over?”
    Her eyes snapped to his. “I will never forget the look on your face.”
    He groaned. “I was caught off-guard.”
    “No. It was an honest reaction. The last thing I want from you now is lies.”
    He threw his hands in the air. “ Basta !” Enrico wheeled away from her and tried to retrace his steps but ended up in a dead end. Even though the mid-May day was just pleasantly warm, he was broiling in his suit jacket, so he whipped it off. Then he surveyed his surroundings, searching for anything that looked familiar. Turning around, he saw her standing a few feet away. She’d trailed him, probably having a good laugh at his expense.
    “Follow me,” she said. They’d gone a few meters before she stopped. “You honestly want another chance?” she asked, her voice low, her eyes darting toward him then away.
    Strangely, he did. “Yes.”
    She smiled. When she wasn’t scowling, her face lit up, and her curved lips caught his eye. They were soft, kissable. Plump. She was… passable. Even almost cute. “That’s the first honest thing you’ve said to me today.”
    How had they gotten to this point? She’d been ready to reject him—she’d been ready to do what he’d wanted —and he’d begged her to reconsider?
    The smile left her face then, and she pressed a palm into the center of his chest. “But I want to be clear—I’m no pushover, Enrico Lucchesi.”
    He nodded, letting a hint of a grin touch his lips. “Believe me, I’ve figured that much out.”
    They returned to the table in silence, Carlo’s eyes on them. “All is well?” he asked, his eyes sliding from Enrico to Antonella. She nodded, but all Enrico could think about was how miserable his father looked. Just what had Carlo been saying to him while they were gone?
    This wasn’t how it was going to end. He—they—weren’t just going to roll over for Carlo. Not if Enrico had his way. His family needed to be avenged.
    There was only one problem. Carlo Andretti was a nearly impossible target.
    Then a crazy thought struck him: perhaps the men who’d pulled the triggers weren’t.

 
     
     
CHAPTER 2
     
     
    Even though the Lucchesis had left, the atmosphere at the breakfast table remained tense. Papà repeated his question, but Antonella barely heard his words. Enrico had hurt her pride, hurt her—
    “Toni?” Her father’s sharp voice cut into her thoughts. “What’s wrong?”
    Nothing a nose job wouldn’t fix . But the doctor had said she was too young; she had to wait until she was eighteen. Dio . She’d look hideous in her wedding pictures too. Just like in every other picture taken of her. Why hadn’t she ended up with Mamma’s nose instead of Papà’s? “Everything is fine.”
    He narrowed his eyes at her and pulled out a cigar and his gold lighter. “Walk with me,” he said, rising from his chair and lighting up as he headed toward the olive grove, his favorite place for