Page 293 of Marcello

“You swear to fucking God?”

He stared deep into my eyes. “I swear on my daughter’s life that your family has no more to fear from me or my brothers. You, on the other hand – that remains to be seen.”

My daughter’s life –

I hadn’t thought about that.

I’d only been focused on the mother –

I hadn’t thought about the baby.

Suddenly, my eyes welled up with tears.

“Is she – is she okay? The baby?”

Dario looked like he couldn’t quite figure me out. “Yes.”

“And your wife – she’s okay? I mean – she’ll live?”

“…yes.”

I bent over and put my hands on my knees. I felt like I might vomit from the sudden release of stress. “Oh, thank God… thank God…”

Then something else hit me.

“My mother,” I whispered.

“What?” Dario said.

“My mother – I haven’t talked to my mother in almost seven years!” I stood up and faced Adriano. “Give me my phone!”

“Fuck you,” he said contemptuously.

I turned back to Dario. “I saved your wife – please, let me speak to my mother!”

Dario peered at me in silence…

Then took out his cell phone.

I smiled in relief and held out my hand –

But he didn’t give it to me.

Instead, he dialed a number.

I felt confused –

And then terrified.

How does he have my mother’s number?

Dario had promised not to hurt my family, yes –

But Fausto had made a lot of promises, too.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Confirming you’re telling the truth.”