Lorenzo's expression flickered. "Yours?" He let out a dry laugh, attempting to mask his unease. Meanwhile, I staggered up on my feet. "I don't understand, Mr. De Luca." Lorenzo knew who the authority was and that relieved me a little. Santino must've noticed me struggling to stand as he walked over to me and scooped me up in his arms.
"She was your prisoner, Lorenzo Ricci." Santino's voice dropped to something lethal. "And from now on? She belongs to me. Do you understand?"
Lorenzo's hands curled into fists. "You can't just—"
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?"
The words weren't shouted. They were loud and commanding. And Lorenzo obeyed. "Yes, sir."
For the first time in years, Lorenzo Ricci—the man feared by everyone—felt powerless. He was outnumbered. Exposed. If Santino wanted to, he could kill him right here. Right now. And Lorenzo knew it.
A whimper broke the silence, Seraphina's. She crawled towards Lorenzo, sobbing. "Lorenzo, please help me." Lorenzo barely looked at her. His attention was on the ground, but his mind was definitely on Santino.