Page 57

I’m struggling with how I can burn the world to keep Aria untouched by the filth of my life, and yet that bastard violated her with his eyes. One thing is dead sure. He’ll pay for it.
I had briefly cuddled Aria to sleep in her bedroom and, since then, have been back in my study, thinking of ways to inflict pain on the bastard.
A knock at the door snaps me from my thoughts.
“Come in,” I bark, my voice reduced to a low and dangerous growl.
Cortez marches in, his eyes dip a little as he walks up to me and slides himself into the seat opposite mine, hands laced together.
“Marcus Winston has contacted Evergreen, our bot suppliers, asking for a collaboration with their company.”
Laughter escapes my lips as my brow lifts in question. “What does he know about being an automated hotelier?”
Cortez takes his phone from his pocket, makes a few taps on the screen and drops it in front of me. “Evergreen is actually considering a collaboration. This could affect our partnership.”
My head is rolling in disagreement even before he’s done talking. “Put me on the phone with whoever’s in charge as soon as possible.”
“Yes,Capo. Also, my men are still working on finding out who Karl’s attacker is. Since he’s probably on many families’ kill lists, it’ll be a bit difficult to pinpoint the exact person that attacked him.”
Indeed, but there are other pressing issues to attend to that are crucial to this mafia. As long as we keep protecting him, no harm will come his way.
“Go do what I asked you to. And bring in that fucker who I’d requested earlier."
Cortez nods, rising to his feet and returning a moment later, dragging the man behind him. The sight of him, pale and trembling, does nothing to soothe the fury coursing through my veins. Cortez shoves him forward, and he collapses to his knees, his eyes wide with terror.
I stand up from my chair slowly, taking deliberate steps towards him. The room feels smaller now, the air thick with my rage.
“Stand,” I order, my voice cold as ice.
The man struggles to his feet, wobbling like a deer caught in a predator’s gaze. My gaze.
“Mi scuso, Capo(I’m sorry, Boss). I didn’t mean...” he stutters, sweat trailing down his hair to the sides of his face.
“Silenzio(Silence)!” I roar, my voice cutting through his stammering like a blade.
He flinches, his entire body quivering, barely able to hold up straight.
“Not only have you betrayed my trust,” I say, stepping closer, “but you dared to look at her. Lei! L’unica cosa sacra in questa vita di merda(Her! The only sacred thing in this shitty life).”
The man stumbles over his words, tears pooling in his eyes. “Io... Io non volevo…(I... I didn’t mean…)”
I don’t let him finish. My hand lashes out, connecting with his face. The sound of the punch echoes in the room.
“Non volevi farlo(You didn’t mean to)?” I mock, my voice rising. “Then why were you there?Hai un desiderio di morte, eh(You have a death wish, huh)?”
He’s sobbing now, blubbering incoherent apologies. It’s pathetic.
I walk to my desk and pick up my knife. The blade feels cold in my hand, familiar, and comforting. I hold it up, letting the light catch the steel.
“Rispondimi(Answer me)!” I shout, stepping even closer. “Guardavi Aria perché volevi ciò che è mio?!(Were you watching Aria because you wanted what’s mine?!)”
“No,Capo!Mai(Never)!” he cries, falling to his knees again.“Non era così(It wasn’t like that)!Giuro su Dio(I swear to God)!”
“Giuri su Dio(You swear to God)?” I laugh bitterly. “Well, God cannot save you now.”
Without another word, I plunge the knife into his shoulder. He screams, the sound is high-pitched and desperate. Satisfaction courses through my body immediately.
“Questo è solo l’inizio(This is only the beginning),” I growl, leaning in close. The scent of blood mingling with my cologne. “You won’t have the luxury of dying quickly.”