Page 27 of The Mafia’s Second Shot (Burning For You Again #3)
COOPER
T he morning air is crisp, cutting through the cabin with a chill that wakes me better than the coffee in my hand.
I stand by the window, staring out at the endless expanse of trees and mountains.
This place has given us something rare: time.
But I know it can’t last. Not with Rossi still out there, hunting for us.
I take a long sip of coffee, my mind already racing through the possibilities. The safe house has kept us hidden, but if I want to end this for good, hiding isn’t enough. Rossi won’t stop until he’s either dead or I am. And I’ve made my choice: it’s going to be him.
I spend the morning at the small desk in the corner of the living room, poring over maps and intel Marco sent me before we left.
The scattered factions are holding steady for now, but it’s only a matter of time before Rossi finds a weak link.
My plan is risky, but it’s the only way to draw him out and take him down for good.
I map out the details carefully, every step designed to minimize the fallout. I’ll use the scattered factions as bait—not their people, but the locations themselves. Rossi thinks he has the upper hand, but if I can turn his strategy against him, I can force a confrontation on my terms.
The sound of soft footsteps pulls me from my thoughts. I glance up to see Zoey standing in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest. She’s wearing one of my sweaters, and her hair is a mess of loose waves that makes my chest tighten.
“You’re planning something,” she says, her voice sharp but calm.
I lean back in the chair, setting the pen down. “I’m always planning something.”
“Don’t deflect,” she replies, stepping closer. “What are you doing, Cooper?”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m figuring out the next move. This place isn’t going to keep us safe forever.”
She moves to stand beside the desk, her gaze dropping to the papers scattered across it. “You’re going after Rossi.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “Yes.”
Her hands tighten into fists at her sides, her voice trembling as she speaks. “You said this was about keeping us safe. But this... this is about revenge, isn’t it?”
“It’s not just revenge,” I say firmly, standing to face her. “It’s about ending this. For good. Rossi isn’t going to stop, Zoey. You know that as well as I do.”
“And what if it gets you killed?” she demands, her eyes flashing with anger. “What happens to us then?”
“I’m not going to let that happen,” I reply, my tone steady. “I’ve thought this through. I know what I’m doing.”
“You always think you know what you’re doing,” she snaps, her voice breaking. “But this isn’t just about you anymore, Cooper. This is about us. About what happens if you’re gone.”
Her words hit harder than I want to admit, and I take a step closer, my voice softening. “Zoey, I’m doing this for us. For you.”
“No,” she says, shaking her head. “You’re doing this because it’s the only thing you know how to do. Fight, protect, destroy. But have you even thought about what comes after?”
Her question hangs in the air, heavy and unanswerable. I don’t know what comes after. I’ve never let myself think that far ahead.
“Cooper,” she says, her voice quieter now. “I need to know that you’re not just fighting to end this cycle. I need to know you’re fighting for a future. For our future.”
I reach for her hand, threading my fingers through hers. “I am. I swear I am. But to have that future, Rossi has to be taken out. You know that.”
Her eyes search mine, tears glistening but not falling. “I just don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. “I won’t let that happen.”
She takes a shaky breath, leaning into me as I pull her close. I hold her tightly, her warmth grounding me in a way nothing else can.
“We’ll get through this,” I promise. “Together.”
The moment is interrupted by the buzz of my phone on the desk. I step back reluctantly, picking it up and seeing Marco’s name on the screen.
“What is it?” I ask, my tone sharper than I intend.
“We’ve got a problem,” Marco replies, his voice grim. “Rossi’s picked up a trail leading to one of the scattered factions. He’s moving fast, Cooper. We don’t have much time.”
My grip tightens on the phone, my mind already racing. “Where?”
“Southside,” he says. “A warehouse we used to run shipments through. It’s not heavily guarded—they’ll be sitting ducks if Rossi gets there first.”
“I’ll handle it,” I say, my jaw clenching. “Get as much backup as you can, but tell them to stay out of sight until I give the signal.”
“Understood,” Marco replies. “And Cooper... be careful.”
I hang up and turn back to Zoey, her face pale but determined. “You’re going, aren’t you?” she asks.
“I have to,” I say. “If Rossi gets his hands on that faction, it’s over.”
She steps closer, her hand resting lightly on my arm. “Promise me you’ll come back.”
“I promise,” I say, though the words feel heavier than they should.
Her eyes bore into mine, and I can see the fear she’s trying to hide. “Then go. Do what you have to do.”
I nod, pressing a kiss to her forehead before grabbing my gear and heading for the door. As I step outside, the cold mountain air hits me like a slap, but it’s not enough to distract me from what’s ahead.
This ends now. One way or another.