Back at the estate, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that clung to me like a second skin. Selena's safety was paramount, and I knew that Torres wasn't a man to be underestimated. I found myself walking towards the library, the very place where Selena and I had shared so many intimate moments. The room was still, the books on the shelves standing as silent sentinels to our burgeoning love. Where could she be? I heard soft footsteps approaching from the hallway, and my heart quickened. I turned hoping to see Selena, but it was Marta. "Auntie, have you seen Selena?" Her eyes searched mine, and I could see the concern in them. "She's in the garden," Marta said softly. "I think she needed some fresh air." "Is she okay?" "As okay as can be," Marta replied with a small smile. "The transition is a lot for her, but she is stronger than she seems. She is so worried about letting you down and not being the wife you need." I nodded, understanding the weight of Selena'
As Selena slipped into the dress, I couldn't help but admire the way it clung to her curves, highlighting her beauty. She looked like a goddess, and I was the mere mortal who had been granted the privilege of her hand in marriage. I helped her tie the dress and watched as she took a deep breath, visibly steeling herself for what was to come. I knew she was scared, but I also knew she was strong. We walked downstairs together, my hand in hers, a silent declaration of our unity. The house was already bustling with activity as the Family started to arrive. The air was thick with anticipation, and I knew they were all curious about Selena. I had called this meeting not just to formally introduce her but to show them that she was not just a pawn in some twisted game but my partner, my confidant. The one person I was worried about was my uncle, Salvatore. He was my dad's younger brother, and he has felt the roll of Don should have been his. The door opened, and a sea of faces stare
Antonio led me into the library, the heavy oak doors closing behind us with a solemn thud. The room was filled with leather-bound books and the faint scent of cigar smoke. It was a place that usually brought me comfort, but now it felt suffocating. I turned to him, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. "What did Salvatore mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Was I really...bought?" Antonio sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated, Selena," he said, his eyes filled with a sadness that made my heart ache. "You need to wait and talk to Joseph." "But what did he mean?" I insisted, my voice trembling with fear and confusion. The room felt like it was closing in around me, and all I wanted was answers. "Selena, it is for your husband to speak about this not me." "But Antonio," my voice cracked, "I need to know. What did he mean by 'bought'?" Antonio's gaze softened, his eyes full of empathy. He leaned against the grand mahogany bookshelf,
In the hallway, Antonio was waiting for me, his expression serious. "We need to handle this, Joseph" he said without hesitation. "Salvatore is dangerous. He won't let this go easily." We moved into the study, the door clicking shut behind us. Antonio poured us both a whiskey, sliding one over to me before taking a seat opposite. "What's the plan?" I asked, my voice tight with tension. Antonio leaned back in his chair, his eyes thoughtful. "We need to tread carefully," he warned. "Salvatore is not just any member of the family. He's your right-hand man, your consigliere. If we move too quickly, we could cause damage within the Family." I nodded, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on my shoulders. "What do you suggest?" I took a sip of the amber liquid, feeling the burn as it slid down my throat. Antonio leaned forward, his gaze intense. "We need to find out what he's after," he said, his voice measured. "What does he stand to gain by undermining your marriage to S
I found Selena in our bedroom, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She was sitting by the window, her gaze lost in the distance. "Selena," I called softly, and she turned to face me, her eyes searching my face for comfort. "Are you okay?" I asked, moving towards her and wrapping my arms around her trembling body. She leaned into my embrace, and I felt her shoulders heave as she took a deep, shaky breath. "I don't know," she murmured, her voice small and defeated. "This is all just so much to take in." I held her closer, my heart aching for her. "I know, baby. But I'm here for you." "What happens now?" she whispered. "Antonio and I are handling things. I don't want you to worry. All I ask of you is that you do as I ask when it comes to your safety. You will have a protection detail every time you leave the house. I would prefer to go with you but if not, you are to never be alone." Selena nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "I'll do whatever yo
When I got into the car, Selena was shaking. "It's okay, baby," I assured her, my voice calm despite the anger still coursing through my veins. "You're safe." I pulled her onto my lap and held her tight. She held onto me for dear life. "I am so sorry that our time out was ruined. I wanted today to be special for you." "It's not your fault," Selena mumbled against my chest, her voice muffled by my shirt. "It's just... I don't know if I can do this." "Do what?" I asked, stroking her hair soothingly. Selena took a shaky breath. "Be the kind of wife you need. I don't know if I can handle it, Joseph. You deserve so much better." I pulled back to look into her eyes. "You are exactly what I need, Selena. You are strong, beautiful, and smart. You are more than enough for me." "But I don't know this world," she said, her voice trembling. "I'm just a girl from the Bronx. I don't know how to be a mafia wife." "You don't have to be anyone but yourself," I said, my thumb brush
Gently, I picked Selena up and carried her upstairs to our bedroom. The house was silent except for the occasional sound of a clock ticking. A simple meal out had turned into something that I wanted to protect her from. When we reached the bedroom, I laid her down on the bed, her body feeling so light and fragile in my arms. I removed her shoes and her dress, leaving her in her underwear. I pulled the covers over her and kissed her forehead. She looked so peaceful in her sleep, so different from the fear I had seen in her eyes earlier. I felt a fierce protectiveness wash over me, a desire to keep her safe from all the monsters in this world, especially the ones that came with my line of work. As I looked at her, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Love, anger, and fear all battled within me. I was torn between wanting to hold her tight and never letting go, and the need to go out and tear Torres limb from limb for daring to come near her. But I knew that Selena needed this
Seeing Selena so vulnerable and scared cuts into my soul. Antonio hovered in the doorway; his eyes filled with concern. "Is she okay?" "It was a nightmare," I told him, my voice tight. "Torres invading our personal space today... it's got her spooked." Antonio's gaze darkened. "We need to find a way to deal with this permanently." "We will," I assured him. "But first, we need to find out if there's more to his visit than just posturing. There might be something we're missing." Antonio nodded. "I'll get on it. But, Joseph," he said, his voice low. "You know what you might have to do." The unspoken words hung in the air. The implication was clear: if Torres continued to pose a threat, the only way to ensure Selena's safety might be to eliminate him. It was a harsh reality of our world, but one that I had to consider for the sake of my new wife. "Antonio, find George Mariani for me. I need to figure out if he has anything to do with this. He has been laying low ever since I
As the sun rose, we made our escape, Lorenzo bound and gagged in the trunk of the car. The city was waking up, oblivious to the war that had ravaged its underbelly through the night. The ride to the airport was tense, each of us lost in our thoughts. For Selena, it was grief and anger. For me, it was the need to end this nightmare and bring peace to our family.The aircraft was a stark contrast to the chaos we left behind—sleek, white, and gleaming. We boarded, Lorenzo still bound, surrounded by my most trusted men. The flight to Sicily was long and silent, the weight of our mission hanging over us like a dark cloud.The DeAngelo were waiting for us as the jet's engines roared to a halt. Their eyes fell on Lorenzo, and I could see the fury boiling beneath their calm exteriors. They knew the gravity of his treachery, the depth of the wound he had inflicted on our alliance. "Welcome home," Don De Angelos said, his voice cold as ice. "We have been waiting for this day."We escorted Loren
As dawn broke, the house was alive with the sound of preparations. The Capos had arrived, each one a grim reminder of the battle ahead. They whispered in hushed tones, their eyes filled with a silent vow to avenge my attempted murder. Antonio approached, his expression a mix of determination and sorrow. "It's time," he said simply, handing me a gun.The journey to Lorenzo's compound was a blur of adrenaline and rage. The streets of New York were a canvas of shadows and neon, the city's heartbeat pulsating through the car's windows. We were a convoy of darkness, a formidable force closing in on our prey. The compound loomed ahead, a fortress of concrete and steel, surrounded by a wall that seemed to taunt us with its impenetrability. But we had a plan, and we had the element of surprise.As we approached, the quiet was shattered by the roar of engines and the squeal of tires. The gates of the compound exploded in a shower of sparks and metal as we crashed through, guns blazing. The air
When the plan finally landed in Chicago, I was completely numb. How was I supposed to the raise the children without him? How was I going to survive without Joseph? When I saw him pushed into that water, a part of me drowned with him. But as the plane touched down, the reality of my situation slapped me across the face. I had to be strong for Isabella and Michael. They were my world now, and I had to keep them safe, just as Joseph had wanted. The airport was a blur of faces and noises, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the echo of his final words. I found Dante waiting for me, his expression a mix of relief and sorrow. "I can't believe it," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he enveloped me in a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Rossi." I nodded, my eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Thank you for watching over the babies," I murmured, my voice barely audible. Dante led me to a black SUV, the tinted windows ensuring our privacy. Inside, the twins were
As we pulled up to the safe house, the headlights cut through the night, illuminating the tension etched into the faces of my men waiting outside. They had heard the news and knew the gravity of our situation. I could see the question in their eyes—what now? "Spread the word," I instructed Antonio as I stepped out of the car, my teeth chattering from the cold. "All Capos need to be here by dawn. We're ending this." Antonio nodded, his gaze serious. "I'll handle it," he said before disappearing into the night. The warmth of the shower did little to thaw the ice that had formed around my heart. The water pounded against my skin, but it was the images of Selena's distraught face and the twins' innocent eyes that haunted me. I had to be strong for them, had to keep the promise I had made. I had to end Lorenzo's reign of terror. As I stepped out, a towel wrapped around my waist, the cold air in the bathroom was a stark reminder of the icy waters that had almost claimed my life.
Now that Selena was heading out of town, I had to figure out what had happened to Joseph. I believe she saw him getting pushed into the water, but I will not accept that Joseph Rossi is dead until I see a body. I called my most trusted men, the ones that had been with me through thick and thin. We had to move fast. The docks were going to be a war zone if we didn't get to Lorenzo before he had a chance to regroup. As we approached the river's edge, my heart raced, thinking of my friend and his family. The thought of Selena and those babies alone in the world without him was unbearable. We had to find him. The water was a dark, ominous presence, reflecting the moon's glow in a macabre dance of light and shadow. My men fanned out, searching the banks with flashlights, their faces grim with the gravity of the task at hand. We had to find Joseph before it was too late. A splash, faint but unmistakable, broke the silence. My head snapped towards the sound, and I saw a figure strugglin
The water's icy embrace was a stark reminder of the promise I had made to Joseph. If something like this ever happened, if our world came crumbling down around us, I was to leave and protect our twins. The weight of his words from our last conversation bore into me, a promise that felt like a noose tightening around my neck. As I watched the dark river swallow him whole, the air left my lungs. The world around me grew hazy, the sounds of the city muffled by the roaring in my ears. I knew what I had to do, but the thought of leaving him, leaving this fight, was unbearable. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the salty breeze. I took a step back, my body screaming to run to him, to save him. But the promise I had made to Joseph weighed heavily on my heart. He had made me swear to protect our children, no matter what happened. And now, as I stood there, my feet rooted to the spot, I knew that I had to honor that promise. With a final, desperate look at the churning river, I turn
Joseph should have been back by now. It has been two hours since we talked. I feel so helpless. I can't sit still in this house any longer, not knowing what's happening out there. I can't ignore the fear gnawing at my stomach, the cold sweat on my palms. I have to do something. Grabbing my phone, I dial Marco's number, praying for an answer. It rings once, twice, three times—then, finally, a crackling sound, followed by his labored breath. "Marco? Where are you?" "Selena...I'm...hurt," he gasps. "We need...help." My heart skips a beat. "Where are you?" I demand, fear lacing every word. Marco's voice is weak, but determined. "The warehouse...Lorenzo...got Joseph." My world spins as the words hit me like a sledgehammer. "No," I whisper, the reality of the situation crashing down on me. "Where are you?" "Alley," he manages to say, before the line goes dead. The weight of the silence is suffocating, my thoughts racing with fear. I can't lose Joseph. I won't. With t
Marco's footsteps grew heavier, his breathing more labored. "Boss," he grunted, "I can't go much farther." I knew we had to find a way out—for him, for Selena, for our twins. I scanned the room, searching for an exit, a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Then, I spotted it: a faint light seeping through a cracked door at the far end of the warehouse. "Marco, hold on," I whispered, my eyes never leaving the light. "We're going to get out of here." We stumbled towards the light, bullets whizzing by like angry bees. The pain in my side grew more intense with every step, but I pushed through it, adrenaline coursing through my veins. We reached the door, and I kicked it open, revealing a dimly lit alleyway. The cold air hit us like a slap in the face, but it was the sweetest relief. Marco leaned against the wall, his face pale and sweaty. "We did it," he panted, his voice tinged with disbelief. But our victory was short-lived. The alley was a dead end, and the sound of footst
The world around us stilled, the echo of gunfire fading into the distance. His men had ceased their pursuit, their eyes locked on their leader's prize. I could feel the weight of his gun pressing into my back, the cold steel a reminder of the power he held over me. "Drop the gun, Joseph," Lorenzo ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "Or I'll make sure Selena watches you bleed out." My heart skipped a beat at the thought of Selena in danger. I knew I couldn't risk it. With a heavy sigh, I released my grip on the weapon, letting it clatter to the ground. The sound seemed to resonate through the alleyway, a symbol of my defeat. Or so Lorenzo thought. "Good boy," he said, his grip loosening slightly. "Now, let's go for a little walk." He dragged me through the alley, the cold steel of his pistol digging into my side. I had to find a way out of this. "Lorenzo," I said, keeping my voice calm, "You don't have to do this. We can end this now." He sneered in response, pullin