That kind of went sideways real fast π¬
Stepping out of the car, I button my suit jacket and look at Fabian who nods, understanding my silent message. I don't have to tell him to be alert. We're walking into a house we've never been to before and since I sent most of my guys to go look for Nev, we're kind of at a disadvantage here. Not that I expect a war to break out here or something but it doesn't hurt to be careful. The party is well underway. I don't know why Marco went to the trouble of throwing one when he rarely does that. Something's fishy and I'm hoping I'll find out what it is before it's too late. I still haven't figured out why he met with Marianna. Did Lombardi send her? If so, why? Marco only gets involved when there is a conflict that needs resolving. We try to avoid fighting because the aftermath isn't pretty but sometimes it can't be avoided. Like now, the only reason I'm here is to ask him to stay put when I go after Lombardi. I don't want anyone getting in the middle trying to defend that bastard. It's
"He just shot her. He killed her" she says referring to Carina. Damiano is kneeling beside her putting pressure on her wound but she's losing a lot of blood. I don't think she's going to make it. Even so, I still ask Fabian to ask around for a doctor. "Stay out of this, De Luca. None of this is your concern" Lombardi barks. He's bleeding too because Marianna shot him in the arm but I couldn't give a flying fuck. He could drop dead for all I care. I'm afraid for Marianna. If Marino and Russo decide to retaliate, she won't walk out of this room alive. Lucky for her, those assholes have moved to a corner, separating themselves from Lombardi. "I've always known what a bastard you are and this just serves to prove how right I was. How could you shoot your fucking daughter?" "Please, let's not pretend that she's related to me in any way" he scoffs and I want to finish what Marianna started. It would be so easy to kill him right now. He's not some kind of immortal being, if he bleeds th
I think I'm still in shock. Padre shot Carina. I shot him. He killed Carina. She's dead. I don't know why that is so unbelievable when this is what I was hoping for. Ever since she showed up at the house, she's been nothing but a pain in my ass. She even tried to kill me once, and I promised myself I would kill her instead. Why then can't I believe that she's dead? Before we left, I saw the light go out of her eyes. She was looking right at me when she took her last breath. It's the kind of look that will forever remain in my mind.We grew up hating each other. It was so natural to hate her because I thought she got the better end of the deal. While I was busy running around doing Padre's bidding, she was in New York, living the life I wanted. Doing what I wanted to do but couldn't. She had everything I wanted, which is funny because she thought the same thing. Carina wasn't one to keep her mouth shut. Whenever she wanted something, she came right out and said it. I know just how much
So Padre is dead. Which means whoever gets to the house first, will have the upper hand. Most of the documents about shipments and deals are in a safe at the mansion. Everyone who knows that Padre is dead will try to get there before anyone so they can take over. The men that worked for Padre can easily be turned once they find out he's dead. They need jobs and would work for anyone who offers to pay them. Besides, anyone who refuses is bound to die. You can't be loyal to a dead man. Unless we're talking about Giovanni. He was Padre's right-hand so maybe he'll resist? Who will he pick? Right now he's the only one who can sway Padre's men. "How long until we get there?" I ask smoothing my hair back. I have absolutely no idea what I'm walking into. I don't know what I'll do if I actually get there first. Padre didn't exactly teach me anything about running an organization as big as this one. We all know how he looked down on women especially me. I would really like to give him the mi
The appearance of Giovanni makes perfect sense. Every piece fits into the puzzle perfectly now. On my way here I kept wondering how she could have done it on her own. She only had Paulo and those two girls. Alone, they wouldn't have accomplished anything. Stealing merchandise from me required them to have a lot of money to begin with. They'd need trucks, a place to store the stolen goods and men. The kind that are trained and won't make mistakes. She would have also needed to pay them a good sum to work for her. I know she's Lombardi's daughter, but there's no way she would have had the money to do all that. Unless she'd been in cahoots with Carina. Now if they had my five million dollars, this could have been done easily. It wouldn't have been a problem. Except I've seen just how much Marianna hated her sister. She didn't want to live in the same house with her. Let alone striking deals with each other, I think they'd rather die than work together. But having Giovanni Balistreri on
I take a bullet for her and this is the thanks I get. Why the hell do I still like her? I've met and been with a lot of women. I guess I'm drawn to her because I've never met anyone like her. She knows she's beautiful so flaunts it. She's unapologetic about what she did even though she should be asking for my forgiveness. Lombardi and De Luca organizations have been on opposite sides for a long time. I could easily take advantage of our rivalry and wipe her out. Even with Giovanni by her side, she's no match for me. All I have to do is convince their clients and business partners to join me. Seeing as Lombardi is dead, who would want to put their money in the hands of a woman? It wouldn't take much to convince them. But there's a part of me that hopes she succeeds so she doesn't have to be under anyone's control anymore. Lombardi never cared about any of his daughters. I'm glad Marianna has finally gotten her freedom. "How long until Nev gets here?" I ask following her into the hou
I blink my eyes open. It takes a few seconds for me to recognize my surroundings which is funny because I'm home. At least that's what this house is supposed to be. My home. The place I grew up in and which should have a lot of memories. But the ones I have are those I'd rather forget. Growing up here hadn't been easy. Many are the times I wished for a family that would at least care for me. A mother that would tell me everything would be okay. I always imagined her taking my side every time Padre got mad and took his anger out on me. I try not to hold a grudge against my birth mother. I've never met her but there had to be a reason she couldn't be with me.Maybe now that Padre is dead...No. I'm not going down that road. Not when I have so much to do. I managed to get Giovanni to leave me alone yesterday but I know he's going to barge in here any minute now. I still can't believe he's dead. It all seems so surreal, like I'm dreaming and someone is going to wake me up soon. I
This doesn't look like a funeral at all. I haven't seen a single person shed a tear or even look sad. Then again, this was to be expected. Everyone is dressed in black as is custom but instead of crying they're holding glasses of champagne and wine, toasting each other. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a party, which works for me. I can take people's condolences but they shouldn't expect me to act like a grief-stricken daughter. Deep down I'm happy Padre is dead. I hope he rots in hell. "My condolences, Miss Lombardi. Your father was a great man and he will remain in our hearts forever" a man says. We both know he's full of shit but since he is one of the men in the file Giovanni gave me, I just nod and offer him my thanks. "Thank you, Signor Conti" "Ah so you do know me" "Yes, Padre told me everything about his business partners. I hope to continue working with you in the future" "The rumor is true then? You will be taking over?" "No, I won't be taking over" I look h
This doesn't look like a funeral at all. I haven't seen a single person shed a tear or even look sad. Then again, this was to be expected. Everyone is dressed in black as is custom but instead of crying they're holding glasses of champagne and wine, toasting each other. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a party, which works for me. I can take people's condolences but they shouldn't expect me to act like a grief-stricken daughter. Deep down I'm happy Padre is dead. I hope he rots in hell. "My condolences, Miss Lombardi. Your father was a great man and he will remain in our hearts forever" a man says. We both know he's full of shit but since he is one of the men in the file Giovanni gave me, I just nod and offer him my thanks. "Thank you, Signor Conti" "Ah so you do know me" "Yes, Padre told me everything about his business partners. I hope to continue working with you in the future" "The rumor is true then? You will be taking over?" "No, I won't be taking over" I look h
I blink my eyes open. It takes a few seconds for me to recognize my surroundings which is funny because I'm home. At least that's what this house is supposed to be. My home. The place I grew up in and which should have a lot of memories. But the ones I have are those I'd rather forget. Growing up here hadn't been easy. Many are the times I wished for a family that would at least care for me. A mother that would tell me everything would be okay. I always imagined her taking my side every time Padre got mad and took his anger out on me. I try not to hold a grudge against my birth mother. I've never met her but there had to be a reason she couldn't be with me.Maybe now that Padre is dead...No. I'm not going down that road. Not when I have so much to do. I managed to get Giovanni to leave me alone yesterday but I know he's going to barge in here any minute now. I still can't believe he's dead. It all seems so surreal, like I'm dreaming and someone is going to wake me up soon. I
I take a bullet for her and this is the thanks I get. Why the hell do I still like her? I've met and been with a lot of women. I guess I'm drawn to her because I've never met anyone like her. She knows she's beautiful so flaunts it. She's unapologetic about what she did even though she should be asking for my forgiveness. Lombardi and De Luca organizations have been on opposite sides for a long time. I could easily take advantage of our rivalry and wipe her out. Even with Giovanni by her side, she's no match for me. All I have to do is convince their clients and business partners to join me. Seeing as Lombardi is dead, who would want to put their money in the hands of a woman? It wouldn't take much to convince them. But there's a part of me that hopes she succeeds so she doesn't have to be under anyone's control anymore. Lombardi never cared about any of his daughters. I'm glad Marianna has finally gotten her freedom. "How long until Nev gets here?" I ask following her into the hou
The appearance of Giovanni makes perfect sense. Every piece fits into the puzzle perfectly now. On my way here I kept wondering how she could have done it on her own. She only had Paulo and those two girls. Alone, they wouldn't have accomplished anything. Stealing merchandise from me required them to have a lot of money to begin with. They'd need trucks, a place to store the stolen goods and men. The kind that are trained and won't make mistakes. She would have also needed to pay them a good sum to work for her. I know she's Lombardi's daughter, but there's no way she would have had the money to do all that. Unless she'd been in cahoots with Carina. Now if they had my five million dollars, this could have been done easily. It wouldn't have been a problem. Except I've seen just how much Marianna hated her sister. She didn't want to live in the same house with her. Let alone striking deals with each other, I think they'd rather die than work together. But having Giovanni Balistreri on
So Padre is dead. Which means whoever gets to the house first, will have the upper hand. Most of the documents about shipments and deals are in a safe at the mansion. Everyone who knows that Padre is dead will try to get there before anyone so they can take over. The men that worked for Padre can easily be turned once they find out he's dead. They need jobs and would work for anyone who offers to pay them. Besides, anyone who refuses is bound to die. You can't be loyal to a dead man. Unless we're talking about Giovanni. He was Padre's right-hand so maybe he'll resist? Who will he pick? Right now he's the only one who can sway Padre's men. "How long until we get there?" I ask smoothing my hair back. I have absolutely no idea what I'm walking into. I don't know what I'll do if I actually get there first. Padre didn't exactly teach me anything about running an organization as big as this one. We all know how he looked down on women especially me. I would really like to give him the mi
I think I'm still in shock. Padre shot Carina. I shot him. He killed Carina. She's dead. I don't know why that is so unbelievable when this is what I was hoping for. Ever since she showed up at the house, she's been nothing but a pain in my ass. She even tried to kill me once, and I promised myself I would kill her instead. Why then can't I believe that she's dead? Before we left, I saw the light go out of her eyes. She was looking right at me when she took her last breath. It's the kind of look that will forever remain in my mind.We grew up hating each other. It was so natural to hate her because I thought she got the better end of the deal. While I was busy running around doing Padre's bidding, she was in New York, living the life I wanted. Doing what I wanted to do but couldn't. She had everything I wanted, which is funny because she thought the same thing. Carina wasn't one to keep her mouth shut. Whenever she wanted something, she came right out and said it. I know just how much
"He just shot her. He killed her" she says referring to Carina. Damiano is kneeling beside her putting pressure on her wound but she's losing a lot of blood. I don't think she's going to make it. Even so, I still ask Fabian to ask around for a doctor. "Stay out of this, De Luca. None of this is your concern" Lombardi barks. He's bleeding too because Marianna shot him in the arm but I couldn't give a flying fuck. He could drop dead for all I care. I'm afraid for Marianna. If Marino and Russo decide to retaliate, she won't walk out of this room alive. Lucky for her, those assholes have moved to a corner, separating themselves from Lombardi. "I've always known what a bastard you are and this just serves to prove how right I was. How could you shoot your fucking daughter?" "Please, let's not pretend that she's related to me in any way" he scoffs and I want to finish what Marianna started. It would be so easy to kill him right now. He's not some kind of immortal being, if he bleeds th
Stepping out of the car, I button my suit jacket and look at Fabian who nods, understanding my silent message. I don't have to tell him to be alert. We're walking into a house we've never been to before and since I sent most of my guys to go look for Nev, we're kind of at a disadvantage here. Not that I expect a war to break out here or something but it doesn't hurt to be careful. The party is well underway. I don't know why Marco went to the trouble of throwing one when he rarely does that. Something's fishy and I'm hoping I'll find out what it is before it's too late. I still haven't figured out why he met with Marianna. Did Lombardi send her? If so, why? Marco only gets involved when there is a conflict that needs resolving. We try to avoid fighting because the aftermath isn't pretty but sometimes it can't be avoided. Like now, the only reason I'm here is to ask him to stay put when I go after Lombardi. I don't want anyone getting in the middle trying to defend that bastard. It's
Later as I'm applying my makeup, I wonder how this night will end. Padre left for a business trip earlier this week which makes me feel at ease somehow. Although Marco had promised not to invite him, he still has loyal men in the circle. To avoid a heads-up, everyone's invitation was sent this morning. It gives them enough time to prepare but not enough to call Padre back. Even if they do tell him, he'll arrive there when it's already too late. At least that's what I hope. I also refrained from telling Carina anything because I know what a blabber mouth she is. Her locations were a bust which means Padre isn't happy with her. She'd do anything to get back on his good side. I'd call her a people pleaser if I didn't know she was only trying to survive. At the end of the day, she didn't ask for this. None of us did. I pick red lipstick because it's hot and I like it. Looking at myself in the mirror, I wonder if Paulo was right. Is it too much? Would it be enough to convince those bast