Page 45

Chapter 45

Massimo

Ash sits across from me at my desk in my home office. We had another all-morning meeting to discuss adding the additional seats to the Chamber. I called in virtually, not wanting to leave Nova since we had yet to find Mancini's second spy, and I'd be a fool to think there were only two.

With the bounty for Nova's return to her father at four million dollars, it's not just Mancini or the French mafia I need to worry about. Any criminal—in this city or beyond—would love to cash in on that prize. While I've made a few public appearances to show I have nothing to hide, I've been working from home as much as possible.

Circling my thoughts back to the problem in front of me, I regard Ash. He came here to further discuss the Chamber's decision because we couldn't keep putting it off. Dom is the biggest opponent to Ivan Everheart and the Serpents joining, although Ash and I aren't huge fans, either.

When Ash arrived, I had Gemma and Gabe make sure Nova stayed in the library. I'm impatient, though, wanting to get back to Nova as I've been distracted all day, but I force myself to focus on Ash.

He spins the silver ring on his thumb. "There's growing unrest with some of the criminal groups believing Ivan's claim that the Chamber is monopolizing power."

"Well, we are, in a sense." He grunts, and I add, "We benefit the most from this collective alliance."

"We also do more than any other criminal entity in the city to ensure a lack of bloodshed and collateral damage," he says in his gravelly voice. "Plus, create an environment that's ripe for all criminals to thrive and profit."

"You're preaching to the choir, Ash. And as much as I despise Ivan Everheart, he has a point. His gang is just as strong as the Fire Clan, if not stronger."

"So, you're in favor?" He looks at me with hooded eyes.

My jaw clenches as I recall Ivan's pushy visit a few weeks ago, insisting that I owe him for his vote to save Vito and Eden.

Fucking criminal world politics and their votes.

"I didn't say that, Ash."

"Regardless that Ivan is a cunt, we can't just keep adding seats whenever there are power shifts in this city."

"But you said yourself that there's growing unrest among the criminal entities, so if we're perceived as not even considering the current context, it could fuel unrest even more."

"Fucking PR optics," he mutters, threading his tatted hands through his mussed hair. "Yeah, the air is rife for rebellion and mutiny." His gives me a serious look. "There's people looking to strike at us in power. Such as cashing in on a bounty for a mafia princess."

I try to keep my reaction hidden, and he raises his hands. "Whatever you need, you know the MC is there."

"Ash—"

"I don't need to know, Mass," he stresses. "Just know there are enemies knocking at your gate. Multiple because of that bounty. And division of attention—such as this bullshit with the Chamber—is a risk."

There's a knock on my office door, and Vito walks in.

Jerome follows him, giving me a small nod, telling me he let Gabe know to keep Nova hidden for longer. "Can I bring anything for you and your guests, sir?"

Vito sprawls his tall frame in the chair beside Ash. "You have any of Mamma's and Sophie's baking lying around, Jerome?"

"He's good, Jerome," I interrupt Vito's opportunity to stay longer than needed .

Ash chuckles and rises to his feet. "I'm heading out. Thanks, though, Jerome."

"Don't let me chase you away, Ash," Vito says.

"Gotta go see about a butterfly," Ash growls quietly, then claps Vito on the shoulder. "Good to see you. " He dips his chin at me. "Keep me posted on what you need."

He turns on his heel, and Jerome follows him out, shutting the door behind them.

My interactions with Vito have been limited ever since my destruction of Pepe Russo in the playroom. We've both been occupied with our roles in leading our criminal family, and I know he and his team are scouring the streets for Mancini's other spy. But there's a subtle tension between us. I catch his guarded looks whenever we're together—either in public or at our family's estate for the regular dinners I've made sure to attend to avoid raising questions from my family.

The look he's giving me now is one that's trying to crack my head open to see my secrets inside. The conversation I've been expecting since that night in the playroom and my gruesome destruction of Mancini's spy is about to drop.

Inwardly, I prepare myself to keep my expression stoic and unreadable and plan my strategic responses.

"I've gotten ordained online," Vito says.

My mouth opens to respond but quickly snaps shut.

That was not what I was expecting to be his opener.

The corner of Vito's mouth twitches, but his blue-green eyes are serious.

Keeping my expression unreadable, I regard him calmly. "Is this your way of saying you need more work? Since Gemma has agreed to take over the second-in-command position and you're returning to the protector role full time?"

My jab doesn't get his expected, taunting comeback. Instead, anger flashes over his features.

"Cut the fucking shit, Mass."

"Care to explain?" I deflect .

He shoots to his feet. He's not usually one quick to anger, but his nostrils flare, and he braces his scarred hands on my desk, leaning toward me. "I know you have the Mancini—" He abruptly stops and huffs a breath. "I know that you have Nova, Massimo. So quit cutting me out of this."

I knew the time would come when I'd have to tell Vito and Marco about my plan, but my protectiveness of Nova, coupled with the fact that they'd only see her as our enemy's daughter, kept me silent. I trust them with my life, but I can't risk any hostility or hate being directed at Nova—my own menacing, malicious actions toward her had already been enough. I'm working hard to redeem myself and earn her trust. And after learning everything she's endured at the hands of her father, I refuse to subject her to any more hell.

He studies me for a moment, then exhales sharply and walks over to the beverage cart. He pours himself a bourbon, a vodka for me, then returns—placing the glass in front of me before settling into the chair. As he takes a long sip, he watches me over the rim of his glass.

"I witnessed you go fucking unhinged in the playroom, Mass." He pauses to give me a chance to speak, but I stay silent. "Like recognizes like. Game recognizes game." His eyes bore into mine. "You love her."

I jerk ever so slightly in surprise. But the truth of that statement slams into me like a hurricane making landfall and brings a tidal wave of clarity.

I do love Nova, and she's burrowed right into my soul. I've consciously stated I wasn't letting her go, but this is the first time I've intentionally acknowledged the full reason behind that.

"Massimo. After hearing everything that Russo confessed of how Nova was tormented, along with what Mancini did to her mother…"

His words trail off, and I know he's remembering everything we learned from the secrets Pepe Russo had spilled. About the ways Mancini psychologically abused and controlled Nova. And the heinous things that Mancini and his guards did to violate Miriana before they finally killed her.

Vito heaves a deep breath. "Do you think I wouldn't see that Nova is nothing like Mancini and his sons? I can see what she is to you, brother. Do you think that I'd not accept her? "

Hurt laces his words. Family is everything to Vito, as it is to me and Creed. "This is what our family does, Mass; we protect our own."

This was ingrained repeatedly in us over the years by both our parents.

"And if you love Nova, then she's family, she's our own."

My throat is so thick with emotion, I can't speak.

His eyes glisten with rare wetness. "That's why I got ordained online."

"What?" I finally choke out.

"You're guarding Nova's presence here more fiercely than the secrets surrounding the Holy Grail, even from your family. So, I know you wouldn't risk even a priest knowing you have her. But to protect her, you have to make her your wife." He spreads his arms wide. "I'm here for you, brother."

Somehow, I'm able speak through my shock. "Is it legit?"

He grins. "Legally binding. In this state, country, and globally."

"I… I don't know how to respond to this."

"With 'I do,' you grumpy motherfucker." His grin fades. "I have one condition."

My brother is the protector of our family; he lives and breathes the dark work on the streets to do that. However, he's every bit as strategic and cunning as Creed, where he rules as a corporate titan, and me, who rules our criminal empire.

My eyes narrow. "And what is that?"

"We tell Creed everything we know about Mancini. No more keeping him in the dark."

Creed and Sophie are the ones I'm most worried about regarding their reaction to Nova.

"Sophie is still having some cramping and spotting. I don't want to do anything that can put the baby at risk."

I care deeply about my sister-in-law and my unborn niece or nephew. Especially the unborn babe, as I'm sitting here hoping and praying that I've been successful at putting my own in Nova's womb, or that I will very soon.

And for Sophie, it's not only the risk with the pregnancy; it's her mental state as well. Seeing the daughter of the man who was deeply involved in the efforts to capture her and deliver her to a death ring… I have no idea what Sophie's reaction to Nova will be.

I can certainly guess Creed's—anger, animosity, and possibly more hate spewed in Nova's direction.

But just as Sophie is innocent of the sins of her father, so is Nova.

"I need…" I thread my hand through my hair. Vito's jaw hardens as he waits for me to continue. "I need a bit more time."

"We don't have time, Mass. The enemy is knocking at the gate. Creed needs to know the elevated risk and everything else regarding this. Wipe the slate clean, brother." He braces his elbows on his thighs, leaning toward me. "Give Creed the benefit of the doubt."

"You've seen him with Sophie. When it comes to her, he's as unhinged as you are in general."

He sits up, cocks a brow, and grins. "I'll take that as a compliment." But the levity of the situation chases away his joking demeanor. "I got your back, Massimo. Just like you did with me and Eden. Just like you did with Creed and Sophie. Let us do the same for you with Nova."

"It's not just the issue with Creed and our family accepting Nova. I need time to figure out the play with all the intel I've discovered."

"More than what Russo spilled?" There's accusation in his voice, and his frown mars his forehead. "What else?"

I relay all I've learned—about Renzo's warning, Beast in Catanzaro, and what I learned from Rurik.

By the end, Vito is pacing my office, his tall, chiseled form coiled and ready to attack. "I'm the protector of this family, Mass. Why the fuck are you just telling me all this now?"

Before I can answer, he heaves a breath and turns toward me with a pained, but understanding, expression. "Okay, I fucking get it. If roles were reversed, I'd have kept this close to my vest, too."

"You mean, just like you did when you were crossing forbidden lines with Eden?" I say, fighting a smile.

He huffs a laugh, then turns serious and walks over to me, gripping my shoulders. "No more secrets. All of it ends here. "

I stand and hug my brother. The weight that’s been increasingly pressing down on me—and the panic clawing at my insides at the thought of losing Nova—finally begins to ease.

"Thank you, Vito."

He flashes an unhinged grin. "So, should we get the princess in here so I can marry you two right now?"

I wince. "Not yet."

"Why not? Did you forget we have a cousin at the county clerk’s office? He can keep the marriage license and paperwork buried and unsearchable until it's safe to reveal that Nova is your wife."

That's not my only concern. If possible, I want to avoid forcing Nova to marry me, especially in a way that’s nothing like the wedding she’s dreamed of. More than that, I want her to trust me when she says I do.

I know the time may come when this ideal isn't possible, but…

"It's never going to be a perfect wedding; not under these circumstances, brother," Vito says, as if he's in my head.

I sigh and rub my jaw. "I know."

Vito's smirk is back. "So if I don't get to marry you and Nova today…"

I'm certain my brother is pouting.

"Then at least tell me I get to kill someone."