Chapter 3

Ghosts of the Past

Dominic POV

I had never expected to feel attached to any woman before, especially after a night, but Alessia was different. She was just some woman and yet I couldn't get her out of my mind.

I left her a note. She was bold following a stranger to his home.

When I returned to the room, Alessia was gone. Madame Calista gave me the side eye when she came to change the sheet.

I retreated to my private office room and Madame Calista returned to me a few minutes ago later, staring at me until I felt uncomfortable.

She was the only one that could ever do that to me. She was like a mother figure in my life.

“Is it not time you settle down, Dominic?” She asked.

I looked up from my laptop and stopped typing. “Not yet,” I answered.

“Hmm, how long are you going to keep playing? You're closer to the grave everyday especially with your line of work,” she continued.

I sighed and took off my glasses. “Why are you so interested in me settling down?” I asked. She always had something up her sleeves.

“I don't know. Probably for you to have a family and with someone decent. You need that considering your lifestyle,” she shot at me.

“You're aggressive, today,” I answered calmly.

“Shouldn't I? I never thought a decent woman would be so stupid as to sleep with you,” she spat.

I laughed mockingly. “None of the women have been decent.”

“Until last night,” she added.

This time I was intrigued. What did she know about Alessia? I found it weird I remembered her name unlike the other women.

I glanced at Madame Calista, wondering what she was talking about.

She looked at me in disbelief. “Don't tell me, you don't know?”

“Know what?” I asked, watching her.

“The sheets were stained last night,” Madame Calista said.

“So what? Aren't they always stained?” I asked and returned to typing on my laptop.

“With blood,” she said and I immediately lifted my gaze to meet hers.

Blood? Why would there be blood? Was she sick? Was she injured? Oh no.

“You don't mean….” I said, shocked.

“Yes, except you were too drunk or just being a devil as usual. You should have been able to tell the difference,” Madame Calista spat.

She was a virgin! How? She didn't say anything and her dress didn't look that decent either.

“And you stupidly sent her away like the others with your lousy methods. I am literally tired of you, Dominic. If I was her, I would shoot you in the nuts,” she replied.

She left and I was left to my thoughts in silence. How did I not know? It made sense as to why she didn't take the pay. We had drunk a lot that night but I was still in control.

I sighed, running a hand through my dark hair. I had messed up twice today.

*******

Few Hours Earlier:

I struggled to light my cigar, then a lighter came on. Matteo smiled warmly as he brought the lighter closer to my cigar.

I took a puff and stared at the city from the rooftop garden in my penthouse.

I smirked, smoking my cigar. I glanced at Matteo. “Any updates on yesterday's incident?” I asked coldly.

Matteo nodded and handed me a folder. “We've identified the men from yesterday's meeting. They frequented our casino for the past weeks, just only one stood out more…him.”

I opened the folder, staring at the photograph of a man. He was the same man my men had brought his body with the De Luca pin on his suit jacket.

I flipped the pages, scanning the word. “Enzo flaming.”

“Turns out the pin was forged. It wasn't the real De Luca signature. They might have wanted to create a war between you and De Luca. Enzo was working for Carlo Cotti.”

I closed the file, my eyes darkening with anger. “I should have known.”

The name ‘Carlo Cotti’ brought back memories to me. That was the man that slaughtered my parents in cold blood and left me to die in the cold. I had survived as an orphan and I intended to give him a response.

I had spent years climbing the Mafia ranks, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now Carlo was going to pay.

“Gather the men, I want to send a message to the Cottis,” I ordered.

“Yes, boss,” Matteo answered.

We drove silently in the early morning arriving at the Cotti’s estate. I had an insider disarm their alarm and take out the security.

It was easy moving in with the security out. I got out of the car walking into the compound with my men. “Finish them off,” I ordered and my men shot at the unconscious men.

I strolled into the compound. My men took out each of Cotti's bodyguards as they came out. Smirking proudly, I walked into the large living room and there he was sitting with his son.

His bodyguards immediately brought out their guns and my men rushed in taking them out one by one.

“Hello, Carlo,” I greeted, before sitting on the couch.

“What do you want?” Carlo asked.

“My pound of flesh,” I answered, taking out my gun.

Marco quickly ran towards his father, shielding him and pointing a gun at me.

“Leave my father alone!” He warned, but I didn't listen. No one tells me what to do.

“Move,” I commanded. “Your father has to answer for his misdeeds.”

Marco refused to budge and cocked his gun. Matteo shot him in the stomach before Marco could shoot.

“No, Marco!” Carlo yelled and pulled his gun from his waist, but I was faster, shooting him twice in the heart and stomach, sending him falling backwards to the floor.

Marco yelled, screaming for his father. I pulled the trigger hitting his stomach as he fell unconscious to the floor.

Staring at the bloodied room, I stepped out with my men following behind.

Back at the penthouse, I poured myself a glass of whiskey and took a sip. Matteo walked in, stopping at the table.

I turned around, taking a large sip of my whiskey.

“Did you find her?” I asked, sitting on the chair.

“Yes, sir,” Matteo answered, giving me a folder.

Opening the folder, I glanced at her picture. She was definitely a beauty. I flipped through the pages and I stared in horror at another picture of Alessia hugging Carlo and Marco smiling in front of the Cotti's mansion.

I flipped to another page and met another shock. This can't be possible.

I raised my gaze to Matteo expecting an explanation. “She's Alessia Cotti sir. The daughter of Don Cotti.”

“That means…” I said, looking back at the folder.

Oh lord, I had just killed her family.