Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
The first dish was a langoustine barbecued on open charcoal. The presentation was spectacular. Every bit of the meat had been meticulously removed from the shell and laid out. The blackened shell was filled with hot herb butter and bergamot mussel broth. We had to pour the fragrant liquid onto the charred meat, then clean our fingers in the bowls of warm lemon water.
I had to confess, my father had taken me to some of the top restaurants in the country, and I had never eaten anything so delicious. Indeed, Marie had magic fingers.
Someone had put on an Italian opera and the muted sound was piped into the dining room. We ate in silence because the outside world, meaningless conversations, and the mundane couldn’t come into this sacred space. This was our universe where there was no need for words. We looked into each other’s eyes and we smiled wordlessly because neither of us could believe how perfect everything was.
The main course was a freshwater fish, burbot. It had been specially flown in that morning. The tender meat had been skillfully wrapped in seaweed, skewered onto bamboo sticks and lightly grilled. It was served with a creamy coconut and cherry leaf sauce. As soon as my lips closed over the fish, it melted in my mouth. Heavenly.
Marie was not messing around. Dessert was ice cream made with hazelnut and caviar. I would never have imagined such a combination. The smile on Dante’s face was all I needed to slip the spoon into my mouth.
It was divine!
Chapter 74
Dante
She was reaching for a chocolate when my phone began to ring and the sound was so jarring she froze midway, her head swinging around in my direction.
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “It’s okay.”
But the enchantment was gone.
I pulled out my phone, and I almost couldn’t believe the name flashing on my screen.
“Tommy,” I said.
“Can we meet and talk?”
I was instantly suspicious. “It can't be done over the phone?”
“Sure, it can, but I'm not exactly sure how to hand over all the evidence I have against Ugo over the phone. If you have a way, then let me know.”
I wanted to believe he had turned on Ugo, but I wondered what had made him turn when he was so against it only a few hours ago. I had to make sure this wasn't some sort of trap.
“You know where all of my family is located. You can go hold them as hostages if that's the proof you want.”
“No, no need for that. Even if you betray me, Ugo will never trust you again and kill you. Whether you take me out or not you’re dead if Ugo lives,” I said. “Where do you want to meet?”
“That place Joey took us to for his thirtieth birthday party.”
“Yup, I remember.”
“Just be on time,” he said. “50 minutes.”
“I’m an hour and a half away,” I said, and he ended the call.
Zola had her full attention on me.
“Tommy seems ready to turn evidence in. I have to meet up with him to find out what kind of evidence he has."
She nodded, but nothing could take away the terrible fear I saw in her eyes.
“I’ll be careful,” I lifted my hand to gently stroke her cheek.
“What if it’s a trap?” she whispered.
“It might be, but Tommy’s no fool. He knows he’s burned his bridges with Ugo. This is his only option. So it’s a risk I’m willing to take. Please don't worry, all will be fine.”
She stared at me anxiously, and I knew no matter how much I tried to reassure her, she would be afraid. Not wanting to waste any more time I turned to leave, but before I could, she held onto my hand and reached up slightly to place a kiss on my cheek.
I relished it for a second.
Then I grabbed my jacket and hurried out of the house.
I made for the restaurant’s back room and I didn't have to wait long for him. The moment he walked in and saw my men, he gave me a dirty look. He began to head to the table I was sitting at but was stopped and searched before he neared me.
“This is a private meeting, kid,” he said.
“It is. They’ll be leaving in a minute,” I said with a smile. I was leaning casually against the chair, but there was nothing casual about the gun I had underneath the table and aimed directly at his crotch.
“You've nothing to worry about. I’ve made my decision. I’ve chosen a side.”
I saw the deep frustration and devastation on his face, and suddenly, I understood.
"He set you up to take the fall, didn't he?"
"Yeah,” he muttered quietly.
"Again."
Tommy smiled bitterly. "Yeah. He wants to make a deal with you. In exchange for his son, he will drop all charges against you. He wants me to confess to the murder. To admit that I set up the whole thing, staged the crime to implicate you, and everything afterward. It’s actually very impressive how thoroughly he has covered all his tracks. He’s thought of everything. My name was used in everything, signed on every transaction made. In exchange, he will not murder my family.”