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17
“Honeymoon’s over.”
Breathing out hard, I pinched the bridge of my nose as I paced. “We got your cousin back but took out a few Castellione’s in the process. While you were out living some high school fantasy—they hit back hard. Your warehouses in Chicago were hit. They took some merch.”
“How much merchandise?”
“The pharmaceuticals from China.”
“Fuck.”
While Johnny’s words sank in, I still smell her scent on me. Felt her body under mine. Remembered how she tasted. How our souls touched. I didn’t regret a second of it. I’d never give her up.
“Roque?”
“I’m here.”
“What’s your move?”
“Where is he?”
“Vince… he’s waiting for your response. His message is clear. Merge with them or total war.”
“It was her. Blue. Her uncle is from Palermo. He sent out feelers to old connections.”
“I told you she was trouble. Fuck, Roque. She has caused some serious shit to go down. Kissing that girl was the first of many dominoes to fall. I’ll put an extra rush on my PI to dig up more dirt on her and her family. But so far, he’s got nothing. My gut tells me they’re records are too clean… too untraceable.”
My gut clenched. I spun, spying my girl through the window. She’s exquisite. Naked, she stood brushing the strands of her wet, blue hair. My eyes traveled the curve of her spine, noting every mark my mouth left.
My cock turned to stone.
I’ll never take another. Never love another. Even if she is a mole. It hit me like a thunderbolt. My obsession with the girl is more… it’s the one cursed thing that will make me fall. Love. I’m no longer invincible. She made me weak. But I’ve never felt stronger. I’ll take down the dogs. I put down devil in his own grave and take his place. The five families? They won’t know what hit them when I’m done. Their draconian rule is over. I will take it all. Italy, America, the world. My chest puffed out and I laughed at my own narcissism. It’s her… Blue. She made me feel as if I could own the world.
“Fine. I questioned her last night.”
“With your cock?”
“Johnny…,” my voice lowered ominously. “you’re my friend. My brother, but don’t disrespect my girl.”
“What about your bride?”
“She’s dead five minutes after I say the vows.”
“Only you could lie to God in a church and not even blink.”
I shrugged. “I’ve done worse things.”
“We all have.”
“She’ll forgive me.”
“Blue?” He snorted, “She’s gonna cut your damn balls off. But you can’t tell her. Her uncle has already stuck his nose in our business. We’ve cut off tongues and balls for less.”
“We have. But I won’t tell her because it’ll be a weekend trip. I’ll marry the girl and end her in one fell swoop. Blue will never have to know any of it.”
“You’re too hard-headed to ever take advice but I’m giving it now anyway. Let the girl go. She’s young. Too young. Still in high school and too vulnerable for us to protect while growing your mob.”
He’s right. But I needed to hold on. She’s my new anchor. The only thing keeping me from letting the darkness spread like a disease, consuming what’s left of me. I think of the Fiorelli girl. I needed to find her too. Protect her from the five families and make her understand I’ll never follow through on the order to end her. I’m the new king and what I say goes.