Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Arianna POV:
You had to give my father some credit; his act of painting Giovanni and me as revengeful money seekers was smart, trying to give them somebody to blame for all of this, instead of him, and pointing the finger anywhere else was the best tactic.
But I don’t think he expected to lose his school in the courtroom, seeing his mask slip had the jury firmly on our side. I couldn’t quite believe it myself, but now every time his lawyer asked questions and tried to paint us in an evil light. The jury made faces, turning up their noses at them.
He did his best to grill Giovanni on the stand, but to no avail. Geo was prepared for his line of questioning and was hitting back. Every chance he got, he made comments about what kind of father does this to his daughter. Asking where Giulia was.
I was still worried about her. I had no clue where she might be, if she was safe, if she was all right. If she were in the hands of my father’s goons, there was no telling the horror she was enduring. I saw the way they stared at me, and knowing my sister, it was ten times worse for her with the way she encouraged men to fall at her feet.
I sat back in the car as we drove home, rubbing Giovanni’s hand as we passed through the city. For whatever reason, my mind flashed back to the day of the riots. People running out of their homes in terror, screaming and crying as they begged for mercy. Now it was as if that had never happened, a normal day as they walked up and down the city streets, minding their business on the way home.
We had been selfish in our endeavors, attempting to put my father away only so we could live. Now I saw how madly the rest of the world needed this, he’d damaged so much. I could only hope that good prevailed.
We pulled up to the house and got out. He held my hand as we walked through the door, but Mark stopped us. He pulled up his jacket, seeing that the door was cocked open ever so slightly.
He and Giovanni drew their guns, standing in front of me. I hadn’t gotten quite used to the feel of a pistol in my hands yet to carry it on me.
The inch towards the opening, making their way into the house, Gio motioned for me to stay back. My mind was raised with possibilities of how the next five minutes could go. This was it wasn’t it, this was the moment my father took the future from us. He knew he couldn’t escape prison, so he’s just going to kill us while he can.
The two men crept down the hallway, checking rooms and fanning out as I stayed put, my heart pounding in my ears. I couldn’t watch this. I couldn’t just sit still and watch anything bad happen.
I held my breath as they made their way towards the kitchen, slowly following them from afar, but then I saw Giovanni put his gun down and sigh in frustration.
“You can just knock like a normal person,” he told our mystery guest.
“And let people know my presence, no thank you,” the familiar voice came from the kitchen.
I ran down the hall, thrilled she was alright, a weight off my conscience as I bounded in and there sitting on our countertop was Blake eating a banana and leftover pizza.
“You’re alright,” I bounded over to her, hugging the woman in an awkward embrace as she flinched underneath my hug.
She patted my back. “You doubted me?” Her voice was laced with indignation.
“We haven’t heard from you in weeks,” Gio stated gruffly, placing his gun on the counter before grabbing some food.
“We do have a couple of enemies, you know,” Marco scoffed, holstering his gun. “Have you heard of phones? They’re great, you can let people know you’re okay without getting shot,” he grabbed a take-out carton from Gio.
“Like you could shoot me,” Blake laughed, hopping off the counter. And I don’t believe in cells, I don’t want the government tracking me, I only use burners when necessary,” she explained.
“I am sorry though-“ she cleared her throat “if you were worried,”
“It’s alright, you’re okay though, tell us what happened,” I asked, pulling out some pasta to reheat and some egg rolls.
“Nothing much to tell, I found the bank, and your father chose his money laundering source very well. They’ll follow a threat to the end of the earth,” she reached into the crevices of the fridge and pulled out of beer. “But luckily, I’m good at disappearing,” she grinned. “And you guys brought the hammer down on them. Once he went to prison. They were so busy covering their tracks that they didn’t have time to chase me down.”
I nodded. I’m glad that something we did aided her safe return. I was so nervous that our quick movement had gotten her killed.
“I saw daddy dearests outburst on the news,” she cocked a wicked grin toasting me with her beer. “Nice move,”
I blushed under her compliment. “It sadly wasn’t on purpose,” I confessed.
“All the better!” She laughed, “That means he did lose his cool, and the thing he fears is genuine. Let that bastard rot in solitary while you go and get yours.” She clapped my arm and gave me a nod.
“Thanks?” I wasn’t surprised by her revels, but I was shocked she was rooting for me and Giovanni.
“How long are you staying?” Gio asked.
She shrugged, “I’ll hole up here until the trial is over. I like to see a job through to the end,” she explained, but honestly, I think she enjoyed the company; it must be lonely running from place to place, no real roots anywhere.
She sat down beside Marco, reaching in and stealing a wonton from his takeout, the man grunting and moving his food away like a bear. The redhead laughed at his territorial munching.
With Ryan safe, there was only one loose end left. I had no clue where my sister was, but I sent a prayer for her as we ate and joked. I wouldn’t get a moment like this with her whenever she makes it out of her prison, but I hope she knows I didn’t hold a grudge.
Granted, with Guilia, who knows what could happen. She could be out and about plotting my demise as we speak. That was better than the alternative. I did my best to enjoy the conversation, turning my thoughts away from my sister.
She was alright, she had to be.