Page 58

Chapter 58

Nova

We're in Massimo's office, and the energy is electric as he issues orders and coordinates all the incoming intel.

Massimo, in full-on Don mode, is something to behold—dangerous and lethal, yet calm and controlled. I stand back, watching my husband— my husband— and his strategic, cunning mind at work. I'm in awe. And more than a little turned on.

Yes, I realize how twisted that is. That I'm aroused, while watching my husband plan and plot to destroy my father. But I'm reveling in the thought that my father's hell-on-earth rule is about to end.

And it's not just my father who Massimo is planning to attack today, it's Julien Moreau. The heinous monster my father made an alliance with, planning to use me as payment.

Zara, one of Massimo’s allies, had called to report that Julien was in San Francisco. She’d gotten the intel from one of her “sisters” in a global network—a kind of sisterhood that punishes those who hurt women and children.

This intel should be pushing me toward a terror-filled catatonic state. Because if Julien is here in the city, that means he's just as desperate to get me back as my father is. And if Julien is here, it's almost certain that my father is as well. But Massimo's calm, controlled demeanor, combined with the ruthless, possessive, protectiveness radiating off him, keeps me at complete ease.

I feel no fear. Only a dark satisfaction and rising excitement to destroy my father.

"Creed has Sophie and Mamma secure at the estate," Vito says to Massimo.

Gabe had laid out a cache of weapons and ammunition out on Massimo's desk before he left to coordinate increasing the perimeter security.

Gemma inspects a gun from the cache, then slips it into her tactical vest along with additional magazines of ammo. "Does Creed need more guards at the estate, Vito?"

"They're good. With his security personnel, plus our guards, there's close to forty there."

Marco holds up what I think is a grenade launcher. "Crispin has pulled in all his resources for the surveillance and tech work."

Massimo acknowledges this all with a nod as his phone rings, and he quickly answers it. "Thanks for checking in, Dom. What do you have for me?" He puts the call on speakerphone, pulling me into his side, keeping me close.

"I lost Ivan." Dom's frustrated voice cuts through the room.

"Fuck," Massimo mutters, but remains stoic and calm. "Send me his last known location."

"Already sent it to Crispin and Daniele," he replies. "Hopefully, with Daniele's bloodhound skills for sniffing out scum, she'll quickly be able to dig up Ivan. The rest of the Serpents haven't been seen either. So they're hiding —"

"Planning another attack," Massimo finishes.

"Ash said Sean Finley and all his crew are sticking close to home, like they're avoiding everyone. But he's got Digit monitoring them," Dom adds, referring to the Havoc Guardians' tech guru.

"Thanks, Dom. Keep me posted."

Massimo hangs up, his brow furrowed. It’s the only sign of his inner turmoil. I gently run my finger over his forehead, and he relaxes under the touch .

He looks down at me, love evident in his gaze, but before he can speak, his phone rings again. He glances at the screen and then addresses the room. "Everyone except Nova, please leave."

Without a word, Vito, Marco, Gemma, and Jerome exit. Vito gives Massimo a nod before closing the door behind him.

Tension rises within me, and Massimo leans down to kiss my forehead. "It's an ally of mine. But I'd prefer to keep this conversation private."

"I can leave."

He pulls me into his lap as he sits behind his desk. "Not happening." Then he answers the phone, putting it on speaker. "Hello, Rurik."

A man with a cold voice and slight Russian accent answers. "Massimo. I come bearing a gift. But I ask for something in return."

Massimo runs a hand along my spine. "And what is that?"

"You first need to accept."

Massimo's jaw tightens. "I'd be a fool to accept this deal blindly."

"You'll want to accept because you'll want to know what I have to share."

There's silence as the two Dons wait for the other to give in.

"Agreed," Massimo finally responds, his voice clipped, but I see his calculation.

"Wise choice, moy droog ," Rurik says. "The hacker we discussed earlier has reached out to Mancini."

"I thought that hacker was no longer involved with Mancini?" Massimo demands.

Rurik curses under his breath in what I assume is Russian. "They're stubborn and willful," he mutters, then continues more clearly, "Their plan was to re-initiate contact with Mancini and send him a virus program—one they call 'The Parasite.' It was successful and has essentially cloned his phone."

Massimo's large frame hums with excitement, while I struggle to process that such technological capabilities even exist. It's both unreal and terrifying.

"Silvestro Mancini is currently in your city," Rurik adds.

"Where?" Massimo demands, and Rurik relays an address .

"That's in the heart of Serpent territory." A malicious smile creeps across Massimo's face. "Looks like I’ll be taking down more than one enemy with one blow."

"It's a glorious day when you can be efficient and ruthless." Rurik chuckles but quickly sobers. "Now, for my favor owed in return: I need you to stand down and not retaliate against Sean Finley."

I don't know who all these players are in Massimo's world, but his fist clenches against my back.

"If Sean is guilty of sins against my family, I will not let that go unanswered, Rurik."

"Sean is an idiot." Rurik sighs. "A weak leader, but I can't allow you to kill him, Massimo."

"It's dangerous to assume you can allow me to do anything, especially in my territory."

Rurik sighs again. "Patrick Finley called me himself. He's caught wind of what's been happening; he'll handle Sean. Sean has assured him that when he provided the explosives to Ivan Everheart, he had no idea they would be used to try to blow up your front gate."

Massimo doesn't answer immediately. I can see his cunning and strategic mind working this out from all angles. Finally, he says, "I won't strike at Sean for the part he's played up to this point. However, if evidence comes to light showing he's had more of a role, or if anything happens from this point forward, it will not be ignored."

"You have Patrick's word that Sean won't be a further problem."

"Patrick Finley owes me a favor…one I will collect," Massimo warns.

"Of course."

He glances at me and rubs his thumb over my lips. "I have something for you as well, friend."

"Oh, do tell."

I bite back a smile at these two ruthless leaders' cold-yet-friendly bantering.

"How badly do you want Julien Moreau?"

"More than you can fucking ever know." Heat and hate cut through Rurik's icy tone. "He hasn't left his island fortress since he had Felicity killed. "

"Except for a little impromptu trip to San Francisco."

There's stunned silence. "Are you offering him to me?"

"This gesture comes attached with a future favor."

"Done," Rurik says immediately. "My sovietnik, Kirill and a team will leave within the next thirty minutes."

"Give Kirill my number."

"Done. Stay well, moy droog ."

The call disconnects, and Massimo locks his phone, turning to me. "How are you doing, princess?"

I caress his cheek. "Steady and sure."

He turns his face into my palm and kisses it. "Good. Your father won't get to you here."

"I want to be there." The words escape before I even fully process the thought, but they're true and certain. "I need to be there when you end my father, Massimo."

He lifts me effortlessly, adjusting me so I'm straddling him. Then he cups my face gently. I'm expecting him to tell me no, to insist I stay safe and secluded here.

"Your transformation is complete." His face is filled with pride. "From the Mancini Princess, to my princess, my little hellcat who walked through the fires of hell, emerging forged into my queen. My wife."

My heart tightens with love for him—and for the healing journey we've shared, one he's walked beside me every step of the way, and one I wholeheartedly trust he'll continue to walk with me. "From a monster to my monster, my beast. My savior. My husband."

His eyes glisten with emotion, and his voice is thick. "Let's go cut the head off the snake."