CHAPTER 1
The tubular weapon muffled the desperate pleas erupting from Piero.
'Are you attempting to justify your sin to me?' she asked, while simultaneously removing the revolver from Piero's mouth.
Callie's voice was calm - a stark contrast to the irritation and rage that was rapidly building up internally. However, she had years' of experience in masking her emotions just below the surface.
Given that Callie exuded an air of authority with her mere presence, there were rarely instances when her rage spilled over to unleash the infamous Torres temper.
How dare he lie to her when there is concrete proof that Piero stole from the family, Callie thought. Her right hand man, Sammy Alfonzo, obtained the information which he presented to Don Carlos and Callie the night before. Prior to this, during their weekly meetings with Don Carlos's accountant, it was identified that he was unable to reconcile a few million dollars of payments. The discrepancy is pocket change for the Torres family, however, it was the principle that mattered. Dishonesty and disloyalty from someone in the circle of the Don's trust was unforgivable.
In a desperate but feeble attempt to free himself from the rope which bound his body, Piero violently shook the rickety chair on which he was held hostage, to no avail. Making a noise would not help as they were in an abandoned warehouse, in the middle of nowhere, on land owned by the Torres family. Realising that there was no way he would get out of this alive, except through a miracle, Piero hung his head, accepting his ultimate fate. However, it was worth a try.
'Please… I did not steal the Don's money.. I swear..'
'LIES!' Callie spat.
If there is one thing that Callie Torres hated, it was dishonesty.
'Lie to me again and your death will be painfully agonising. Tell me the truth and -'
Callie was cut off by the sudden ringing of her mobile. Judging the caller by the personalised ringtone, Callie handed the revolver to Sammy to free her hand and take the call. Perhaps it was also an unconscious decision to physically distance herself from 'bad' things, whenever she spoke with her mother.
'Hi Mamma'
'Calliope, cena di fidanzamento di tuo cugino è questa sera. Non dimenticare'
(Calliope, your cousin's engagement dinner is tonight. Do not forget)
'Sì mamma, non ho dimenticato'
(Yes mother, I have not forgotten)
Callie lied. She had totally forgotten about the engagement dinner. The cousin in question was not particularly close to Callie and her sister, Aria. Callie did not like nor dislike her cousin, it was just that her engagement did not have any impact on Callie's life. However, this was her mother's niece and Callie would be present as this would make her mother happy.
Non fare tardi. Tuo padre sarà sconvolto.
(Do not be late, your father will be upset)
Before Callie could end the call, her eyes met Sammy's. A silent but effective conversation took place in those few seconds.
Callie ended the call, took a last look at Piero, turned and walked towards her Mercedes Benz E63 AMG. Settling into the backseat of the car, Callie glanced at her watch and noted that she will be a few minutes late for the engagement dinner.
As the driver backed out the pathway towards the exit, she heard the unmistakable sound of a single gunshot. Unfazed, Callie instructed her driver, 'Take me to the Gambino residence'.