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
We left the mansion, the weight of our conversation heavy in the air between us. The drive to the warehouse was silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts. When we arrived, the scene before us was not what we had anticipated. The warehouse was eerily still, which made no sense. Matteo would always have his classical music playing. Antonio and I exchanged a glance, and we both knew that something was wrong. The door was ajar, and the music was silent. The smell of blood hit me before I even stepped inside, a coppery tang that made my stomach lurch. My heart racing, I pushed the door open with my foot, and what we saw made my blood run cold. Matteo lay in a pool of his own blood, his eyes open and unseeing, staring up at the ceiling. The sight of his lifeless body was a punch to the gut, a reminder of the brutal world we lived in. Antonio cursed under his breath, his hand reaching for his gun, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of movement. "Where's George?" I demanded, my v
The drive to the safe house was a blur of headlights and dark streets. I sat in the back, my eyes glued to the passing scenery, my thoughts were racing. I did not want to be anywhere without Joseph. I was also scared about his safety. Antonio said he had called ahead to ensure that Dante and a few of his most trusted men were already there, waiting for us. When we arrived, the safe house was about a quarter of the size of the estate. It was a simple house nestled in a quiet area. The lights were on, and I could see the silhouettes of men patrolling the perimeter as we pulled up to the garage. The garage door opened, and we drove inside. The door closed behind us, cutting off the outside world. Dante was waiting for us inside. His expression was tight, his eyes scanning the room as Antonio and I stepped out of the car. "Sir," he said, his voice gruff. "The house is secured." "Good," Antonio said, his eyes never leaving Selena. "Take her inside." Dante nodded, his expre
Antonio met me at the warehouse after dropping off Selena. We both had known Matteo since we were children. Now I was going to have to call his mother and let her know what had happened to her son. The cleanup crew had already removed Matteo's body, leaving the room empty. The bloodstain on the floor was the only evidence of the brutal scene that had unfolded hours before. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic. "How could he do this?" I murmured, my eyes scanning the room. "He's desperate, Joseph," Antonio said, his voice tight. "He knows his power is slipping away." "I know he believes he should be Don instead of myself. But this is more than I would expect out of Salvatore." Antonio's eyes were hard, his jaw set. "You gave him too much rope," he said bluntly. "He's always been power-hungry. This is his way of showing you he won't be silenced." "He'll regret it," I vowed, my eyes dark. "He's just signed his own death warrant." Antonio nodded, his express
“Selena," I said softly, approaching her. Her sobs grew louder as she turned to face me, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "You're here," she whispered, reaching out a hand. I sat down beside her, taking her hand in mine and bringing it to my lips for a gentle kiss. "I had to come," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I can't stay away from you." Selena sat up, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I don't want you to stay away." I pulled her into my arms, holding her close. "I know, baby," I murmured into her hair. "What can I do to make things better for you?" "Just stay," she whispered, her voice muffled against my chest. "Stay with me." I nodded, stroking her hair. "I'll stay for a while," I said. "There are things that still need to be done." Selena leaned back, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes. "Make love to me, Joseph. Please." My heart skipped a beat, and I knew that was exactly what she needed. To feel loved and protected. I knew
As the light of dawn began to peek through the curtains, I carefully extracted myself from Selena's embrace and dressed. I knew that I couldn't stay much longer, and the business of the Family beckoned. The gravity of our situation was too great to ignore, and the decisions I would make in the coming hours could mean life or death for those I cared about. I leaned over the bed, placing a tender kiss on Selena's forehead, and whispered, "I'll come back to you." The drive to the estate was a blur of thoughts and emotions. I knew Selena was safe for now, but the sense of unease lingered. The betrayal from within was a wound that cut deeper than any bullet could. As the gates came into view, I steeled myself for what was to come. The loyalty of the Family was being tested, and I had to ensure that those who had chosen to stand with me were rewarded, while those who had turned their backs faced the consequences. In the conference room, the Capos waited, their faces a mix of concern and
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