The Vendetti Coward: Salvatore Vendetti (The Vendetti Famiglia Book 4)

by Sapphire Knight

  I return freshly showered, in clean clothes, with snacks and drinks. It’s about to be my time to watch the woman until Matteo’s ready to get down to business. He’s doing this on purpose, building up the anticipation for her, as well as making her famiglia or whomever sweat her absence. He’s having us give her the bare minimum to keep her hungry and thirsty. Cheese sandwiches and water, and not a lot of it. He wants her desperate, ready to break. This is the way to do it when it comes to most of the enemies we capture. None of them are ever strong enough to last the wait, and the few who manage end up tortured and bleeding out.

  I enter the cabin, glad to get out of the icy cold and move to set my stuff down in the kitchen area. “I’m back,” I call, figuring Amedeo must be in the bathroom. I unbutton my overcoat, hanging it on the back of a rickety chair. There’re two, along with a table barely big enough to fit a couple of plates on it. The fire’s dying down, the chill seemingly never completely leaving the room. I release a sigh, heading for the one bedroom to check on our captive. She screamed for the first few days, and I wanted to claw my fucking ears out. She’s been somewhat hoarse since then, and I’ve welcomed the reprieve.

  “Luce?” I yell for my brother next. It’s not his shift, but I’ve gotten no response otherwise. It remains quiet. With a huff, I check the bathroom. It’s empty. I move towards the bedroom, an uneasy feeling creeping into my chest. Something doesn’t feel right; it’s too silent. I pull my Glock free from my shoulder holster, then reach for the door handle. Twisting it, I throw the door open and step inside, safety off and weapon raised.

  My throat tightens as I take in the scene before me. Amedeo lays on his side at an odd angle, blood pooled under his head. His throat is slit wide open. I’m glad my brother wasn’t here. I couldn’t handle it if this were Luciano lying lifeless before me, rather than an Empire soldato. Of course, I feel badly for the man losing his life in the name of Empire business, but I also feel immense relief it’s not my famiglia lying at my feet with no heartbeat.

  “Cazzo!” I exclaim angrily, raking my hand over my face. The captive is gone. I’m not stupido enough to foolishly believe she’d stick around. I pull my cell free and text my brothers. I send it to our group chat, telling everyone to be on alert. The service is bad here, being near the mountains, so the message beeps as not sent. It’ll go out as soon as I hit an area with more bars, so I tuck it away and head outside to see which direction her footprints lead off in. Looks like I’ll end up killing her after all. I’m sure she’ll put up a fight, so I’ll take my chances with shooting first and asking for forgiveness later.

  It’s better to live one day as a lion,

  then a hundred years as a lamb.

  - John Gotti

  “Are you holding up okay? They weren’t too rough with you, right? The Vendetti tradition plays with everyone’s emotions,” Violet checks, taking a seat beside me in the garden. It’s frosty outside after a light snow, but Rosa and I needed some fresh air, regardless of the temperature.

  My eyes skirt around us as I nod, checking for prying ears. I admit, “Yes, I’m good. Christiano was a bit of a freak, but they didn’t hurt me.” I thought Arianna would hate me for sleeping with him, but turns out she wanted to join in. Having her there wasn’t supposed to be part of the deal, but I welcomed her presence and we all enjoyed our time together.

  She offers a shaky smile, tucking the long coat around her. “My first time with them was…overwhelming. I’ve never been so confused in my life about what was wrong or right in that circumstance.”

  I cringe. I understand what she means by my body being confused. I wanted Salvatore the entire time and still do, but there’s no way I can claim that I didn’t physically enjoy his brothers as well. “Is it weird for you now that time has passed? You have your daughter, so it must’ve gotten easier?”

  “Weird isn’t the word I’d use for it. I love Matteo fiercely, but the beginning was different for us. He hated me and my famiglia…Our famiglias were sort of enemies for many years. Our marriage was arranged between our fathers to offer me safety and him a way into the Chicago Syndicate. At the time, my father sat at the table of the Five Famiglias. He’s no longer with us, so Dante sits in the spot.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that…” I comment, and she offers a sad smile.

  “In the beginning, I was torn by the tradition…violated by what was required, yet it freed something inside me. I continued to have sex with a few of the brothers, even after the tradition was complete. You see, it is up to you to stop the tradition. That’s part of the curse they have to bear, the knowledge that we may love their brothers and be with them if we wish. I was consumed with pushing Matteo as much as I could, as well as being young with mixed affections for the brothers. They were all that I knew sexually. They challenged me, mocked, and enticed me. It was a mess.”

  “Wow.” I sigh with her confession. My first time was out of the norm, but it didn’t sway me from Salvatore in any way. “How did Matteo handle you being with them after your wedding night?”

  Her smile blooms. “He didn’t. It drove him mad with jealousy. I think it’s what made him give in and admit his feelings for me. Without the tradition, I imagine he’d have hated me for years because I’d have fought him every step of the way. With the tradition, it forced him to step in and claim me as his, as who he wanted by his side in order for me to stop being with his brothers.”

  “Something must be wrong with me because I think that sounds romantic.”

  She laughs. “Trust me, at the time, it wasn’t. Now, it makes me love him even more that he put himself out there for me and went against what he was taught. I’m his and he’s mine.”

  “I can tell it bothers Salvatore when his brothers pay any attention to me. It gives me a thrill though. I know it’s wrong. I shouldn’t want him to fight with his family, but it makes me burn inside for him when he becomes protective of me.”

  She nods. “I get it. If Matteo or Dante get that way with me, I’m the same.”

  “Dante?” I ask.

  She bites her lower lip, looking to the ground before meeting my eyes. “Matteo has my heart, he always will, but Dante and I are…well, rocky is the best way to describe us. While Cris is like Matteo in looks and intelligence, Dante is like Matteo with his temper and ruthlessness. That has to be what still draws me to him, even after so much time has passed.”

  “What happens when he marries?”

  She shrugs, sighing. “It needs to happen. Maybe then the door between us will finally close completely. I’m the reason why Dante doesn’t come home and stayed. Your wedding was the first time he’s returned in a long time. I was shocked to see him at the ceremony. Matteo handled it well and even allowed us some alone time. I know he wanted to ask me about it afterwards, but ended up telling me he was fine. He knows I belong to him, and Dante will eventually find someone of his own.”

  I reach for her hand, giving it a soft squeeze. “I’m here if you ever need to talk. Matteo didn’t touch me…for the tradition, I mean.”

  She nods. “I know. He’s a very particular man. He won’t sleep with another. Something inside tells me he never will.” She glances at Rosa as the baby shifts in her stroller. She’s sleeping peacefully, enjoying the cool air. “I’m glad you and Arianna are here now. I want my famiglia to be happy and find love like Matteo and I have together.”

  We’re interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps crunching in the snow. Our conversation definitely isn’t for anyone else, especially not the random security men who patrol the grounds. We grow silent, both watching where the sound came from. Violet rises from the bench, demanding, “Show yourself.”

  I stand as well, behind her. I position my body in front of Rosa. Violet unbuttons her jacket, allowing the long fabric to fall to the ground. I catch the gun nestled at her back, the holster attached to her belt. Noticing the placement, I understand why she got rid of the jacket. She needed easier access in case there’s a threat. Sure
ly, that isn’t the issue though. We’re on the estate grounds. Anyone trespassing here would have a death wish.

  “I said show yourself!” she repeats.

  After a tense beat, a woman steps out of the tall bushes that were offering us privacy. She’s about our age, if I had to guess. She flushed, yet pale in the same sense. She has on a jacket, but it’s torn and dirty, splashed with blood. Is it hers? How did she get on the property, and who is she?

  “Vi?” I ask. I need her guidance on this, how I should be reacting. I need to protect Rosa. She’s my main priority right now.

  She shakes her head, not looking away from the woman. “I don’t know.”

  That’s all I need her to say. With a quick stride forward, I snatch the gun from her back. Lifting it, I point the weapon at the woman, my aim steady as I take a step in front of Violet, the baby behind her. “Who are you?” I ask, not about to take a chance. Salvatore has warned me repeatedly that my life will be in peril being married to him. If I’m in peril, then so is Rosa.

  The red-haired woman raises her hands, palms towards me. “Fiadh (fee-a) O’Toole.” She stops, only offering her name.

  “All right, Fiadh, what are you doing here? This is private property, owned by the Vendetti famiglia.” Her gaze flashes between me and Violet, not appearing frightened by the gun at all, and that has the hairs on the back of my neck standing. My gut screams she’s off. There’s something alarming about her. I can’t pinpoint it, but I won’t take my chances believing otherwise. “What are you doing here?” I repeat.

  Her gaze moves from me to behind in Rosa’s direction. “That your baby? You must be a Vendetti wife? I’ve heard there are a few of you.”

  I tick the safety off. “Are you a threat to my family? Don’t look at my baby.”

  “Ah, so it is yours.” She smirks. “Which is your husband?”

  “You need to leave. My family is not your concern.”

  She takes a step forward and my finger moves to the trigger, aiming for her chest. I’m a good shot, but not stupid enough to believe I’d hit a moving target as easily. Her chest is a wide enough area. I should hit something if I have to follow through with my threat. “I’m trying to leave. I need to borrow a phone that works.”

  “Yours is broken?” Violet asks. The woman holds her phone up, and I immediately realize it’s the same as the men use for business. They all look the same, save for the matte black ‘V’ that’s only visible when light hits it a certain way. We’re in the garden, full of sunlight, and that quick flash of her phone was all I needed to catch a glimpse of the V. She’s gotten possession of one of the guy’s phones, but how? Did she steal it or is someone hurt? My gut clenches as all the possibilities run through my mind. Where’s Salvatore?

  “Yes, I can’t seem to catch a signal on mine.”

  Lies. She probably can’t get into the phone, not knowing the code. “What are you doing here?”

  She glares at me. “Why don’t you worry about your baby before I take that gun from you and leave it motherless.”

  Violet gasps. That comment hit her harder, no doubt being that she’s pregnant and already has a precious daughter depending on her. This woman is nuts, saying that around Violet of all people. She has the entire Vendetti clan at her fingertips. She’s the queen of the famiglia, the matriarch.

  “You come one step closer to us and I will put a bullet in you!”

  “We’ll see about that. I’m sure we’ll meet again.” She grins, the promise of retribution glimmering back at me.

  I let a shot go off next to her feet, causing Violet to cuss. Rosa lets free a piercing scream, and my instincts push me to go to her and comfort her. I hate letting her cry and be scared, but it’s me and this gun standing between her and this intruder. “You’ll stay away,” I declare fiercely. “The next shot won’t miss. You need to leave now or I will kill you.”

  Salvatore, Luciano, Santino, and Matteo come around the corner of the garden. The fury in Salvatore’s gaze is enough to make me fearful, even though I have nothing to be scared of with him. I know he would never hurt me. He always makes sure I’m good. Violet and I remain quiet, watching as they storm towards us, behind the woman. She has no idea she’s being closed in on.

  Santino’s hands clasp onto her biceps from behind, rooting her in place. Salvatore and Luciano take up each of her sides as Matteo faces her, moving between us. I have his back, but I’m still able to see his arm shoot out, his hand wrapping around the woman’s throat. She cries out, but it’s cut off by his grip.

  Salvatore leans in, anger clouding his features. “Who helped you get free? Who!” he roars in her face.

  I flick the safety back on, handing the gun to Violet. Hurrying to Rosa, I lift her from the stroller and pull her to my chest to comfort her. “It’s okay, shh. I’m here and I won’t ever let anyone hurt you, I promise you.” Holding her instantly spurs on the shakes. I was on autopilot, doing what I felt necessary to protect her and myself. I didn’t think, just acted on what came naturally.

  My father has taught me how to handle a weapon properly. He insisted I learn and visit the range with him if I was going to attend college. I also had to take a self-defense course, which right now I’m grateful for. After today, those lessons will be something I pass down to Rosa and any other children we end up having. They’ll need to be able to defend themselves should this ever happen to them as well.

  I feel eyes on me, and lift my gaze. It collides with Sal’s. His sable irises say so much his mouth never will. I let it go and flash my stare to the woman, only to discover her watching me. I don’t know what her deal is, but it’s set me on edge. I’ve always felt completely safe on the Vendetti Estate, but today that all changed. Where are the security guys? Shouldn’t there’ve been an alarm tripped or something if she came in through the gate? This is the home of the most powerful mob family of the entire East Coast. This shouldn’t have happened.

  Sal shifts his full attention back on Fiadh O’Toole as Matteo promises, “You’ll pay for killing Amedeo, for running. You’ve threatened my famiglia for the last time.” He spins around, showing the trespassing female his back. His worried stare checks over his wife before saying, “Mia fiore, go inside and rest. I’ll take care of this.”

  She pauses, watching her husband for a minute. Her inquisitive gaze flicks to the others before tilting her chin. He’ll be questioned later, I don’t doubt as much for a second. How she’s not frightened of Matteo Vendetti is beyond me. The man is evil incarnate in the land of mafia. Although, I’ve only ever seen him be doting towards his wife and daughter. He protects his family with a fierceness that can be admired—from afar. “Si, amore mio.” She steps to me. “Annabella, let’s go check on Ari. She was going to the arboretum. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

  “All right,” I easily agree. “Will you push the stroller for me?” I ask since I have Rosa in my arms. She does, walking beside me. I keep turning to look back, making sure there’s no one else to jump out of the bushes. Fiadh is gone. The men must’ve carted her off somewhere. This is going to drive me crazy, not knowing what just transpired is really about. “W-what was that?” I eventually broach, my words stammering a bit. The adrenaline has been draining from me with each step, leaving me scattered.

  She sighs. “I don’t know. I have a feeling we weren’t supposed to know about it though. Don’t be surprised if Sal grills you about it later. Maybe even Matteo. They’ll want to know every little detail from the moment we noticed her up until we left.”

  “Did I mess up by holding the gun on her? For threatening her?”

  She shakes her head, reaching to squeeze my arm for a beat. I still have Rosa hugged against me, not ready to set her back down. She’s no longer crying, but I need her right now. Her warmth is bringing me as much comfort as I’m giving her. “No. You did exactly what I needed you to. I couldn’t risk pulling the gun. She’d have had enough time to ambush me with my attention compromised. You read my mind when I m
oved my jacket. After hearing them, it sounds like we were right to be wary of her. If she really killed Amedeo, then she wouldn’t hesitate in attempting to take our lives either.”

  “I noticed how tense you became, and I just went with my gut from there. I kind of thought once I had the gun you were going to jump on her.”

  She giggles. “What sort of queen do you take me for? Hmm?” Her face lightens with her laughter.

  I shrug. “Well, a badass, to be honest. You’re married to the Capo, so you have to be strong.”

  Her features soften as if she’s thinking of Matteo. She knows him in a manner no one ever will, I suppose. In a way I’ll never understand. “I’m a total badass,” she agrees and opens the door to the indoor garden. “I like you, Anabella. I think you’re good for my famiglia, for Sal.”

  It’s the kindest thing she’s ever said to me. “Thank you.”

  “Si. Don’t mention what happened to Arianna. If we’re in any danger, Cris will let her know and protect her.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, sister. This is our life, the way things are. Capisce?”

  “Understood.” She is the Vendetti Queen, after all. She’s the last person I want thinking she can’t trust me.

  One thing’s for certain: Salvatore owes me an explanation. Did he put that blood on Fiadh or was that from Amedeo? I didn’t know the made man very well, just that he came to our wedding and worked for the Vendettis. I hope he didn’t have a wife or children he left behind. I can’t help but wonder if Salvatore will end up killing the woman.