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“Vitale’s been quiet,” Matteo says, voice careful. “Why stir this now?” I exhale smoke, my mind churning. The prisoner’s words were fragments—dates, names, a betrayal tied to my mother’s death, something the Vitales knew, something they’ve held close. Something tied to the Rossis.
“The traitor in our ranks,” I say, my voice hard. “They’re feeding the Gallos, maybe the Vitales too. We need to know how far this runs.”
Adriano’s eyes sharpen, and I know he’s already piecing it together, his mind as keen as my father always swore it was. “We could draw them out,” he says, voice even, deliberate. “Throw a party, invite the Vitales, the Gallos, everyone. Let them think we’re distracted, celebrating. They’ll slip, and we’ll catch them.”
“Right. That's a brilliant idea,” Matteo chips in.
I nod slowly as the plan starts to take shape. A party is a trap, a way to watch their eyes, their hands. It's a way to feel them in.
“Do it,” I say, my tone final. “Set it for next week. Make it loud, flashy. Let them think I’m toasting my new bride.” The word bride tastes like Fina’s kiss. It has me all knotted up. Matteo quirks a brow, but he doesn’t push, just nods. Adriano’s gaze holds mine, steady, like he’s reading my tension but not judging, just waiting.
“Anything else?” Matteo shakes his head, but Adriano pauses, his voice calm. “Just keep your eyes open, Enzo. We’ll get answers.” It’s the kind of steady advice my father trusted, and I nod, leaning on his loyalty, even as my gut twists with everything else.
“Go now. Leave me be,” I say in a worn voice. They leave, Matteo with a quick glance, Adriano with a nod.
I’m alone again and the whiskey glass is empty. I chuckle dryly as I recall the fire in Fina’s eyes as she delivers her ultimatum. She had threatened war and I’m clever enough to know she’s not bluffing. Her father is Domenico Rossi. He's not a man to be toyed with. I may be ruthless at my game, but that one fact is a given.
I have to plan this in a strategic manner. I still have my vengeance to take. Initially, I'd thought they were the sole group responsible for my mother's death, but apparently, the ring runs long and wide. The Vitales allowed themselves to get stupidly caught in this whole mess. They're no match for me. This party will be a way to unravel them.
But even as I think about vengeance, it doesn't ring as solidly in my mind as it used to. And I know the reason for it. The Vitales aren't the only ones caught in this whole mess. My wife too is—Serafina Rossi.
Does she know about her father's part in the role he played in his mother's death? Is she also here in my manor on some revenge mission? Is she laughing at me, at my utter lack of control in regards to her?
She’s no delicate wife—she’s a Rossi, forged in blood, and she’ll torch me if I don’t play this smart. Luis is leverage, but he’s also a spark, and I need to decide what to do before her five days are up.
I lean back, closing my eyes. Her image comes to life in my mind. I’m a fool for ending that kiss, for letting her walk away, but I’llsee her again, and when I do, I won’t hold back. I want her wild, untamed, and in my bed.
I’ll have her, even if it means war. The party’s my next move, a chance to snare the snakes in my house, but Fina’s the real threat, and I’m not sure I want to dodge her.
12
Serafina
The night air is thick and heavy with the reek of cheap cologne and cigarette smoke as I step into the club, my boots clicking against the polished floor. The bass thumps through my bones, the lights flashing in jagged streaks of red and purple. It doesn't help to soothe my frayed nerves as I'm already on edge. My blood is roiling with purpose.
Aida had called this morning to relay Papa's message to me. It had elicited worry from me, because the matter was supposed to be relayed by him. I'd burdened myself with worry that his health is deteriorating fast, but Aida had allayed my worries. Papa simply doesn't want too much intervention.
It's about the money laundering business I run on the side for him. At first, Papa had been content with me just staying under his wings after I graduated from Yale. To him, I'd been groomed to become a proper lady—smile, charm, and someday, become some wife of a powerful don, hence my education and sophistication.
But, I'd known from a young age that it isn't what I want from life. I'm just not cut for a life like that. So, I'd insisted he let me learn the family trade and if he's impressed with my performance, he'd let me handle some parts of his business. He let me attend meetings with him, but I never headed them. It'd be unheard of to have a woman head a meeting of mainly men.
Within two years, I exceeded Papa's expectations, and albeit grudgingly, he'd accepted for me to become part of the trade, but not mainly. He gave rein of his money laundering business to me, although not completely. In turn, I'd hired Aida to assist me, and together, we've secretly run it for two years. Papa wouldn't admit it, but I believe he trusts me to run things smoothly, in his own little way.
Now, one of his associates, Milano, is trying to frustrate my efforts. Aida had been going through account inventory when she realized someone had been draining our accounts. She'd traced the source to Milano. He'd been stupid enough to be obvious about it. According to Aida, he's been blowing cash on gaudy watches and private suites like he’s untouchable.
Papa’s too weak to handle it, Aida had said, so it’s on me to make this bastard bleed. He could get some of his other men to handle it, but besides the fact that it's secret and exposure of it couldblow its cover, I'm more than capable of taking care of it. I can handle myself in the face of these bastards, but Papa would hear nothing of it, so he'd sent two men to protect me on this mission.
He literally loves me so much he'd married me off without a second thought. And here he is, showing that love again. Besides, I have first-hand experience with dealing with assholes. Isn't Enzo one of them?
I shudder to think of the kiss in that cellar. It's been three days since I delivered my ultimatum, and he hasn't made any moves to free Luis. Does he underestimate me? Does he belittle Papa's power?
I'd heard nothing of it, but it'd seem a party is coming up.Enzo told me nothing. Fuck him. I haven't seen him since that kiss. Admittedly, I've been avoiding him. The nights get colder and lonelier, especially when I torture myself with how blissful it'd be to share his bed.
I'd seen the preparations and asked Matteo jokingly if they were preparing Luis for the gallows and planning to celebrate it later on. He'd been surprised that Enzo hadn't told me about it. I had the pleasure of telling him what an asshole his boss is. At that, he'd laughed, thoroughly charmed. He then further explained that the party is being thrown in celebration of ourmarriage.
I almost laughed in his face. Our marriage indeed. And what a marriage it is.
Now, in the bar, I scan the crowds, flanked by two of Papa’s men, Vito and Paulo whose faces are hard and grim. We’re here for Milano. An insider had confirmed he'd be here, and I’m not leaving without his confession or blood at least… if it comes to that.