“Hey! What the fuck are you doing?” The sound of Sal’s deep voice and his thundering footsteps made my heart sing. I’d never been so relieved in my life.
The man released me and took off in a sprint. Sal grabbed him by the collar of his black trench coat and pulled him to the ground. Arms, legs, and bodies flew in the air, interlaced with the sounds of grunts and flesh meeting flesh. Sal’s head whipped sideways, and blood splattered the front of his previously pristine shirt. He didn’t waste any time regrouping. He charged, wrapping his arms around the man’s waist, forcing him to the ground. Sal straddled him, landing punch after punch.
Sirens sounded in the distance. While I doubted they were heading here, the noise snapped me out of my stupor. I had to end this before someone called the police or Sal got seriously hurt. I vaulted off the bench, rushing forward. My boots slapped against the gravel, slipping and sliding in my haste to reach Sal. The man’s eyes were glazed, and his face was bloodied and bruised.
“Sal, we need to get out of here. That’s enough.”
He kept going.
Smack. Grunt. Moan.
Blood and saliva splattered everywhere.
I tugged on his suit jacket. “Sal, stop it. Please. Take me home. I want to get out of here before anyone comes.”
Scrambling to his feet, he dragged his bloodied hand through his disheveled hair. His gaze cut to me, and a chill rocketed down my spine. Those eyes feathered with shades of green, brown and gold burned into me. Anger radiated out of him like a tidal wave, and my heart stuttered. I’d never seen Sal like this. I didn’t know this man. It was like someone had finally pulled back the curtain, and bloodthirst and rage had replaced his mild, caring manner. Even when he shot that man in the warehouse, he’d exercised control and deliberation. He reminded me of a statue or robot. Not today.
“Sal, I-I’m sorry. I should have listened—”
“I don’t want to hear it.” His hand came down on the back of my neck, both a warning and a gesture of support. Without a word or backward glance he guided me away from the park and toward the street, his stride determined, confident, and filled with authority. The muscles in his jaw jumped and seesawed. People dodged out of his way, their eyes fixed away from him like they feared catching his attention.
I glanced over my shoulder. The man was already on his feet, marching backward, his attention firmly on me. He pointed at me and then at the side of his head reminding me of his message. I stumbled over the uneven pavement when we hit the sidewalk, and Sal’s arm slipped around my waist steadying me. I didn’t care about his message or the meaning behind it. I only wanted to go home.
A strangled moan worked its way up my constricted throat, stopping before it exited my mouth. I sagged into Sal, wrapping my arms around his waist and tucking me into his side, not caring if he was still angry with me. I needed to be held. I needed something solid to keep my musings out of the quicksand of despair pulling me under with every step closer to his car.
The little freedom and decision-making I had would be over the instant my dad learned what happened tonight. I might as well call him now and tell him to bar my windows and add a keyed lock to my bedroom door. He’d never let me out of his sight, not until he handed me over to Marcello. Then I’d be married and who knew what he’d expect of me?
CHAPTER TWENTY
“How the hell did this happen?”
My father paced back and forth, his leather soles clomping over the floor, repeatedly shoving his hand into his salt and pepper hair. His eyes were darker than normal, and I hadn’t been able to find my voice for the last five or ten minutes. I hadn’t uttered a single word since we reached my house.
My dad had been waiting, and the minute we stepped over the threshold he unleashed fire and brimstone on Sal. Being a complete and total chicken shit, I did nothing except stare at him. I didn’t even correct the inaccuracies he tossed at Sal one after another like grenades.
Sal glanced up, his legs spread and his elbows resting on his knees. “I got there as soon as I parked the car.”
“What the fuck were you thinking? Why did you let her walk into the park by herself? You had one job: to accompany my daughter everywhere. And you failed. Angelo said he trusted you. He said next to Gian, you are one of his most reliable guys.”
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Sal swallowed, his hands curled into fists. “I’ll understand if you don’t trust me with her anymore.”
My father forced out a dry chuckle that had absolutely nothing to do with amusement. “Trust you with my daughter? Hell, right now I don’t trust you period. Now get out of my fucking house. I don’t want to see your face for at least a week. Angelo can decide what to do with you in the meantime.”