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
The night grew later as Antonio, and his men searched the city for any trace of Selena's mother. I couldn't sit still, pacing the floor of the office as I awaited word. My mind raced with thoughts of Selena, of what she might think when she learned the truth. Would she feel betrayed? Would she understand that she was loved that she was mine now? There was a knock at my office door. Antonio was good, but I didn't think he would have information this quickly. "Enter." The door to my office opens, and Selena walks in, her eyes filled with mix of exhaustion and concern. She was in a silky white night gown that hugged her curves perfectly. "What is it, baby?" Her eyes searched the room, looking for something she couldn't quite find. "I miss my husband" she confessed, her voice small and trembling. "I just needed to see you." The sight of her, standing there in the doorway, looking so lost and alone, broke through the storm cloud of rage that had been brewing inside me. I set my
The next morning, the ringing of my phone pierced the silence of our room. I felt Selena's grip tighten around me as I reached for it. I could feel the tension grow in my body as I read the message. "Everything okay?" "Yes, my love. I need to meet with Antonio. I had him looking into a situation for me. Stay in bed as long as you like. I will have the cook prepare us breakfast out on the patio later." The message from Antonio had been brief and cryptic, but the urgency was clear. He had found something about Selena's mother. I couldn't help the feeling of dread that settled in my stomach. What if she had been part of this mess all along? What if Selena's conception was more than just a one-time fling? The questions swirled in my head as I dressed and headed downstairs to the office. Antonio was already waiting for me, his face a mask of tension. He handed me a file without a word. I opened it and scanned the contents, my heart racing with each piece of information. Her mother'
Selena remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around us. She deserved happiness, even if it was only for a brief moment. I had to protect her from the ugliness of the truth, at least for now. But as the day went on, I knew I couldn't keep the secret much longer. The weight of it was crushing me. We had a quiet breakfast on the patio, as I had promised her. Selena talked about her dreams for the future, her eyes shining with hope. I listened, my heart breaking with each word. How could I tell her that her mother had been taken from her in such a brutal way? She believed her mother had walked out on her and that was so far from the truth. After we finished eating, I took her hand and led her back to our room. "There's something I need to tell you, Selena," I said, my voice heavy. Her smile faded, and she searched my face for answers. "What is it?" I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. "What did your father tell you about your mother?" Sele
I left Selena in the care of Dante, one of my most trusted men. He had strict instructions not to let her out of his sight and to report back to me immediately if she needed anything. With a heavy heart, I made my way to the garage, my mind racing with the possibilities of who could have been involved in Arianna's murder. The thought of Selena's mother suffering such a fate at the hands of someone I knew made me see red. There was also the issue of Gabriel Tucci's murder. It had been a supposed drive-by shooting, but now with the knowledge of his affair with Selena's mother, could the two incidents be related. Gabriel was up and coming in the ranks of the family. My father had been grooming him to take over for my uncle. Salvatore was greedy for the position of Don, but since I was the only son, the position was to be mine as my birthright. I got into the car and dialed Antonio. "What have you found?" "I'm still digging, but I've got a few leads," he said, his voice grim. "The n
As I was driving back to the house, my mind was racing. Selena had been through enough. She had lost her mother in the most horrific way and had been lied to her entire life. I had to find a way to protect her from the fallout that was going to come from this. The truth had to come out, but not yet. Not until I had all the pieces and could control the narrative. I pulled into the driveway, my jaw clenched in determination. As I walked into the house, I could hear Selena's voice from the kitchen, talking to Marta. "It's a surprise," she was saying, her voice light and happy. "For Joseph." My heart swelled at the thought. Selena had never cooked for me before, but it was clear she was putting a lot of effort into this meal. The aroma of garlic and tomato sauce filled the air, reminding me of the comfort food my own mother used to make. As I approached the kitchen, I heard the sizzle of something frying and Selena's soft humming. She looked up as I entered, her eyes lighting up with
We sat at the dinner table, Selena's creation before us. I took a bite, savoring the taste of my mother's recipe, made with Selena's love. The lasagna was perfect, the layers of noodles, sauce, and cheese melding together. It was as if my mother had returned to bless us from heaven. "This is amazing," I said, looking at Selena. She glowed under my praise, her eyes shining with happiness. It was moments like these that made me forget about the bloodshed and betrayal that often accompanied the mafia lifestyle. Selena took a bite, watching my reaction closely. "Thank you," she murmured, a shy smile playing on her lips. "It's like having a piece of home," I said, feeling the weight of the past and the warmth of our future intertwine. We ate in companionable silence, the comfort of our shared meal acting as a balm for our troubled souls. As we finished dinner, Selena looked up at me, her eyes shining with hope. "Could we maybe start trying for a baby soon?" she asked softly. I
It has been a few weeks since George has been being held at the warehouse. Matteo would give him a few days to heal from his "questioning" and then start again. This has been very effective in the past when there was information needed. My phone vibrated on the nightstand, pulling me from my thoughts. It was Matteo. "Boss, I got what you wanted," he said, his voice tight with excitement. "George finally talked." My heart skipped a beat. This was it. The truth about Selena's mother's murder was finally within reach. "What did he say?" "Antonio is on the way to the estate with all of the information. He feels you need to hear it in person." I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. "I'll be waiting," I said, my voice a low growl. Antonio arrived shortly; his eyes tired but determined. He handed me a manila envelope with papers inside. "It's all there," Antonio said, his voice heavy. "The details of Arianna's murder. And... something else." I read through the pages, my
The ride back to the city was a blur. My thoughts raced with the fear for Selena and the twins, and the anger at the audacity of the Sicilians to invade my home. My grip tightened on the gun in my hand, the cold metal grounding me as we sped through the early morning streets. When we arrived at the house, it was a scene of chaos. Men in black suits swarmed the property, their faces twisted in rage. "Take them down," I ordered my men, and the night air was filled with the roar of gunfire. The battle was intense, the sound of bullets whizzing by, the smell of gunpowder stinging our nostrils. We fought with everything we had, our loyalty to the Family fueling our every move. The Sicilian mafia was formidable, but they had underestimated our determination. As we pushed through the house, I could hear Selena's cries for help, echoing through the halls like a siren's call. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a drum of rage and fear. We found the panic room, the door splintered
The capos looked at each other, their expressions a mix of anger and sadness. The room was thick with tension, and I could feel the anticipation building like a storm about to break. "You both leave me no choice," I continued, my voice hard as steel. "For the crimes you have committed against the Rossi Family, I hereby sentence you to death." Vincenzo's smirk fell, and for the first time, fear flickered in his eyes. "You don't have the guts," he murmured. "You're wrong," I said, my voice cold and unwavering. "I have more than enough." With a nod to my most trusted capo, the two men were forced to their knees, the blindfolds secured tightly over their eyes. They had no idea what was coming, and that was the way it had to be. The room was silent. The only light came from a single bulb swinging overhead, casting shadows across the concrete floor. I stepped closer to Vincenzo, my hand reaching for the gun at my side. "This is your last chance," I whispered. "Confess your si
Eleven hours later, I had Vincenzo and Salvatore back in New York. I had called ahead for all of the Capos to meet. This is the first Il bacio della morte (kiss of death) that I have seen in my lifetime. I had heard rumors of a few during my grandfather's reign as Don, but none since. The jet's engines wound down to a quiet purr, and the door opened, letting in the cold night air. The two traitors stumbled out, bruised and beaten but still alive. The other capos had arrived, and they watched in silence as Vincenzo and Salvatore were brought before them. "This is not how we do things," one of the capos spoke up, his voice filled with disgust. "This is not our way." "Our way is to protect our Family," I said, my tone leaving no room for debate. "And they," I nodded towards Vincenzo and Salvatore, "have betrayed us all." The capos murmured among themselves, but I could see the understanding in their eyes. They knew what had to be done. They knew the gravity of the situation.
Vittoria's smile was knowing. "There's always a catch," she said. "But I believe our interests align, Joseph. For now, let us focus on the task at hand." The plan was simple yet risky. We would strike at night, when the guards were least expecting it. We would have to be swift and precise, leaving no room for error. Antonio and my men nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "We leave at dusk," I told them. "Be ready." The hours ticked by, each one feeling like a year as we waited for nightfall. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we made our way to the warehouse where the shipment was rumored to be hidden. The tension was palpable as we approached, our footsteps silent on the cobblestone streets. The warehouse was a fortress, surrounded by armed men. But we had the element of surprise and a map of the premises provided by Vittoria's spies. We moved with the shadows, our eyes peeled for any signs of danger. Inside, the air was thi
That night, I went to our room, where Selena was cradling Isabella and Michael. They were both fast asleep, their tiny chests rising and falling in unison. Selena looked up at me, her eyes filled with love and warmth. "Selena, I have to leave for Sicily tomorrow," I said, my voice thick with dread. Her eyes widened in shock, and she sat up straighter. "Why?" she asked, her grip on the babies tightening. "We have to find Salvatore and put an end to this," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Vincenzo has been working with him. They think I'm dead, so I have the element of surprise." Selena's eyes searched mine, a mix of fear and confusion. "But what about us? The babies? Why can't we come with you?" I sighed heavily, stroking her cheek. "It's too dangerous for you and the twins," I explained. "This is something I have to do alone. But I promise I will come back to you." Selena's eyes filled with tears, and she leaned into my touch. "I don't want you to go," she
George swallowed hard, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for a way out. "Salvatore has a mole," he began, his voice low. "Someone inside the Family has been feeding him information." My heart skipped a beat. A mole? This was new information. "Who?" George smirked, enjoying the power of his words. "Someone you trust." My mind raced through the members of the Family, trying to pinpoint who could be capable of such treachery. "You need to be more specific," I growled. He leaned back in his chair, his chains rattling against the metal frame. "Someone very close to you," he taunted. "Someone who has access to your every move and decision." I felt a knot form in my stomach. Could it be one of my own? Someone who had been by my side all these years? "Name them," I demanded, my voice like thunder. George took a deep breath, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "It's your uncle," he said, watching my reaction closely. "Vincenzo Rossi." The room seemed to
"I need to go deal with George," I said, reluctance heavy in my voice. Selena nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "I know," she whispered. "But promise me one thing." "Anything," I said, kissing her forehead. "Promise me that you will make him pay for what he did to me and my mother," Selena's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes pleading. I tightened my hold on her, feeling her pain. "I promise," I said, my voice filled with resolve. "He will pay for his sins. He will never harm you or our family again." With a final, lingering kiss, I pulled away from Selena and dressed, my thoughts already racing to the task at hand. Having to deal with George was inevitable, but now it had a new edge of personal vendetta. I knew Selena's history with her father, and I knew the kind of man he was. The thought of him anywhere near our children angered me. As I walked through the quiet halls of the estate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of victory and relief. We had him. The man who h
The next few days were a blur of strategy and tension. We moved from the bunker to a safe house in the countryside, far from the prying eyes of the city. The twins were blissfully unaware of what was going on around them, cooing and crying and filling our lives with a love that made the darkness outside feel a little less overwhelming. I have always had the Family to fight for but now I had more to fight for - Selena and our children. "Antonio, what's your opinion on our next move?" I asked, pacing the living room of the safe house, my eyes never leaving the baby monitor. Selena was finally asleep. The love I feel for this woman is more than I had ever expected to happen. Antonio looked up from the map he was studying. "We need to draw him out," he said, tapping a spot on the map with a thick finger. "He won't come to us willingly." "Agreed," I said, my eyes narrowing. "But how?" Antonio leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "We need bait he can't resist. Som
Chapter 75 - The Rat is in the Trap The day of the meeting arrived, the tension in the air was thick as we drove back to the city. Selena held my hand tightly in the car, her knuckles white with fear. I knew she was scared, but she was also strong. She had been through so much, and she had always come out on the other side. As we approached the estate, I could see the guards' eyes widen as they recognized Selena. She looked beautiful, dressed in all black, her eyes lined with dark makeup to hide the puffiness from the lack of sleep. The sight of her, looking so fierce, made me want to kiss her, to tell her everything would be okay. But this was not the time for romance. This was the time for war. "Remember, Selena, you're in charge. Play it cool. I will be watching on the cameras, but Antonio will be close by if you need him." Her nod was firm, and she took a deep breath, her hand tightening around mine. We stepped into the living room, and there was no mistaking the malicious