Page 78 of The Bonventi Secret

The door bursts open, slamming against the wall. One of my men, Tony, stumbles in, his face pale and sweating. My brothers are on their feet in an instant, hands reaching for their weapons.

"Boss," Tony pants, his eyes wide with panic. "It's Alex. He's been shot."

"What? Where? How bad?" Gio asks.

Before he finishes his line of questions, a cold dark thought enters my mind. If Alex is hurt, then…

"Livia," I call out. "Where's Livia?"

Tony swallows hard, his eyes darting between me and my brothers. "They took her, boss. Rossi's men. They ambushed them outside a sandwich shop across from the library."

The world tilts on its axis. I grip the edge of my desk. "How?" I yell, fury rising in me like a tidal wave. "How the fuck did this happen?"

"We don't know all the details yet," Tony stammers. "Alex is unconscious on the way to the hospital, but it was a coordinated attack. They knew exactly when and where to strike."

My mind can't process the words. The Rossis didn't just hit us; they struck at the heart of what matters most to me.

They took Livia.

LIVIA - 28

Istep out of the library, blinking as the setting sun hits my eyes. "Ready to head back, Miss Falcone?" Alex asks, his hand already on the car door.

My stomach growls, reminding me that I've barely eaten all day. The thought of returning to that suffocating mansion makes my chest tight. I'd have to face Antonio's knowing look, admit he was right about needing dinner. Another small humiliation in a week full of them.

"Actually," I say, forcing a smile, "I'm starving. Can we grab something to eat?"

Alex's expression hardens. "I'm sorry, Miss Falcone, but that's not allowed. We need to return directly to the house."

"Please, Alex?" I beg, looking at the small sandwich shop across from the library. "I really don't want to eat at the house right now."

Alex's jaw tightens as he glances between me and the shop. "Miss Falcone, Mr. Bonventi was clear about?—"

"Look, it's right there. We can see it from here. Five minutes, tops."

Alex is quiet for a moment as he looks at the sandwich shop across the street.

"I haven't eaten all day," I add, which isn't entirely a lie. My appetite's been non-existent since Enzo ordered my things packed.

Alex sighs heavily. "Fine. But you stay in the car while I get it. Understood?"

I nod quickly, afraid he'll change his mind. "Yes, and thank you."

We drive across the street, and Alex parks the car in front of the sandwich shop.

"What would you like?" Alex asks, his hand on the door handle.

"Turkey on wheat, no mayo," I reply. "And an iced tea, please."

He nods and steps out of the car. I watch him walk into the shop.

My eyes wander, taking in the street scene. A group of college students passes by, laughing about some shared joke, their backpacks slung carelessly over their shoulders. They remind me of my friends back in LA – Megan's infectious laugh, the way we'd grab coffee between classes.

I'm so lost in thought that I almost miss the three men in dark suits approaching the shop. Something about their presence seems off, and it sets off alarm bells in my head.

One of them reaches for the door as the other pulls out a gun.

My heart leaps into my throat. "Alex!" I scream, but it's too late.