Page 5 of My Sweetest Obsession

“You asked me to look after her the moment she stepped foot into your club,” he began. “In the time I’ve watched over her, she’s worked her way into my heart. All I need to know is that she’s safe. That’s it.”

I took a deep breath, struggling to control my emotions. “Fine. But just because you have a soft spot for my girl doesn’t mean everything between us is forgotten.”

He nodded curtly.

I had trusted him with my life, but now, with the shadows of his undercover work looming over us, I couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal. How could I be sure this wasn’t all a ploy to take me down? But I’d table it for now. After all, they say keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

I turned to Luca. “Get the private jet ready. We’re leaving within the hour.”

“You got it, boss.” Luca rushed out to handle the preparations.

I turned my attention to Miguel, who was standing by the door. “You’re staying behind to secure the house. I’ve got some men coming in for repairs, and I need you and the rest of my team on high alert. We don’t know what the Puppet Master still has in store for us.”

“Yes, sir,” Miguel responded.

“Also, I need you to help my uncle monitor the shipments closely. It’s business as usual but ramp up surveillance. He’s running point on this,” I instructed firmly.

“Understood, boss.”

Dante stepped back inside with a haunted look in his eyes. “It’s all set,” he confirmed. He stood there, blinking slowly, as if trying to make sense of something he had just heard.

I took a deep breath to ground myself. “Let’s go find my fucking girl.”

Ileaned back against the plush leather seat, allowing the rhythmic hum of the engines to settle my restless thoughts. Just then, the flight attendant approached with a polite smile.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” she asked.

“No, thank you,” I replied, turning my gaze to Dante, who was staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought. He hasn’t said a word since we left the house.

“You’re quiet,” I said.

Dante turned his head slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. “He thinks I’m dead.”

“Who?” I probed.

His eyes locked onto mine. “Alphonse.”

My brow furrowed. “Why would he think that?”

Dante shrugged. “I don’t know. Tony was shocked as hell when I called. He hung up on me, convinced it was a sick joke.” He let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders sagging. “Somethingmust’ve gone wrong the night Angelica left for him to think I was dead.”

Dante swept a hand across his face. “I can only imagine his reaction when he sees I’m not dead.”

“Guess we’re about to find out.”

He nodded in agreement, a dry chuckle escaping him.

Just as I was ready to close my eyes, my phone rang and I answered the call.

“Hello, Mr. Moretti. This is Dr. Hope Evers from the medical examiner’s office,” the voice on the other end said. “The reason for my call is to discuss arrangements for your mother, Serafina.”

At the mention of my mother’s name, I felt as though a bullet had pierced my chest. “Of course.”

“We need to finalize the details regarding her remains and the funeral services. I understand this is a difficult time for you, but it’s essential we proceed as soon as possible. Do you have a funeral home in mind?”

I swallowed hard. Grief was a cruel son of a bitch and a thief, taking away the one person who accepted me as I was.

“I’m traveling out of the country at the moment on business. I was hoping to finalize the details when I returned to the States,” I replied.