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
Joseph should have never taken over as Don. I worked too hard to get rid of his father and I should be at the head of the table. Now he has a wife and I am sure he will have an heir before they reach their one year anniversary. I need to get my hands on George before he tells Matteo everything he knows. I knew George had a soft spot for his daughter, Selena, and that was my leverage. I had to find a way to use it against him. If he knew the truth about Arianna's death, it would surely push him over the edge. But if I played my cards right, I could use Selena as a pawn in my game against Joseph. I had to find a way to get him to turn against her. The thought of Selena carrying Joseph's child only fueled my anger. She was meant to be a tool for power, not a breeding mare for the next generation of the Rossi family. I couldn't let that happen. I had to find a way to twist the knife deeper into Joseph's back. As I sat in my personal study, the walls lined with books that had seen more
We had only found out a few days ago that Selena was pregnant. I had already made an appointment for us at the obstetrician that Marta had recommended. Selena's hand was cold and clammy as we sat in the waiting room. She kept looking around nervously, as if expecting someone to jump out and take this happiness away from us. "It'll be okay," I whispered, squeezing her hand. She smiled, but the fear in her eyes didn't go away. The doctor's office was filled with the sounds of babies crying, mothers-to-be laughing , and the occasional voice of a doctor giving instructions. Selena looked at me with wide eyes as the nurse called us in. She was nervous, but I could see the excitement in her eyes. I knew she had been dreaming of this moment since we first talked about starting a family. The doctor was a friendly woman with a gentle way about her, which helped to ease Selena's nerves. She went through the usual questions about Selena's health and the pregnancy. Then she led us to th
The next day, I called for a meeting of all the Family members. The room was tense as they awaited my announcement, whispers of uncertainty and speculation swirling around the room like a storm before it breaks. I stood before them, Selena at my side, her hand in mine. "Brothers," I announced, my voice echoing through the grand hall, "we are expecting a new addition to our Family." The murmurs grew louder and then silence fell as they processed the news. Selena's eyes met mine, a silent plea for strength. "Now, more than ever, we must stand together," I continued, my voice strong and unwavering. "Selena's safety, and that of our unborn child, is of the utmost importance. We will increase security measures at the mansion and all of our businesses. Any signs of Torres's men, any threats, must be reported immediately." The room was a tableau of stoic faces, each man nodding solemnly in agreement. They knew the gravity of the situation. The Columbian Cartel was not an enemy to be
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