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Antonio Cappalli was transitioning from underboss to boss and had changed his routines, gotten rid of the entire kitchen staff, and added layers of security to his team. The new safe house, with all its safety measures, wasn’t as secure as he’d thought.
But then, when it came to me—the Black Rose—nothing was.
Antonio had done one thing right. The entrance was completely comprised of brick. So, even if I set up cameras, they needed something to see. There were no windows and no doors; only a garage entrance that closed behind each vehicle.
He was paranoid, and rightfully so. His father, Vito Cappalli, had been my latest victim, and Antonio was next, followed by everyone in line succeeding him. I planned to cripple the Cappalli empire, which would be the death of their reign. But right now, they were preparing to meet Dameon and me and I wanted to end them before they could make it down the boulevard.
With binoculars in hand, I stood watch as I’d done for the last week. However, my focus was split between this mission, the impending marriage link, and Penelope.
Penelope.
“Where are you?” I whispered. It was unlike her to disappear. I’d watched the cameras I previously set up in her home for days, and she hadn’t been there. There was no sign of her at school, and something inside me rang with alarm. For the first time, I’d been taken off guard. Could it be possible that an enemy of the Lucas Cosa Nostra had gotten to her, taken her, or hurt her in some way?
I locked my jaw and inhaled a deep breath. In Penelope’s world, she would look on the bright side or think positively. But in mine, darkness shrouded me and everything I touched. Knowing this, I couldn’t help but assume Penelope had been affected, too.
“Son of a bitch!”
I took in another deep breath. I’d told her she was in danger every minute she lingered around me, and now she was missing.
The only thing that gave me satisfaction was knowing whoever took her would meet a death like no other once I found them.
I dropped the binoculars, left my spot on the roof, and headed to my warehouse.
Once there, I retrieved the video from her home. All was quiet and still. Annoyance filled my veins. After the meeting with the Cappallis and Niccolòs, I would hunt down her vehicle, gain access to her GPS, and track Penelope to the last place she’d visited.
The only reason I didn’t go now was in case I was mistaken, and she wasn’t in immediate danger.
But as the tightness in my gut grew, I suffered through thoughts that I was wrong.
What if she’s with someone else?
She’d been with me an entire week, left her phone behind, and had the time of her life. It was possible. But the thought of her with another man made the fire inside me brew.
She wouldn’t. Would she?
There was a possibility. I’d left her without giving her a reason but moving on from me—from us—so soon would be…what you deserve.
I tightened my jaw and checked the time. My cell phone rang, the one I used to communicate with Dameon.
“Father,” I answered.
“Where are you?”
“Headed your way.”
“Cappallis just arrived. The Niccolòs have been here for several hours. Whatever you’re doing can wait.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
I dropped the call and changed my gear, but instead of putting on a customary suit, I decided on a black long-sleeved crew-neck shirt, black jeans, and black Timberlands. On my hands, I wore three black rings; one with the name Lucas, and the other two black diamonds. Around my neck, a skull hung from a beaded black necklace and I had black diamond stud earrings in each ear.
I smirked, knowing they’d all do a double-take when they saw me. Not that my look was unusual—it wasn’t. But for this occasion, they would expect a more formal me. It was too bad I didn’t give a flying fuck about their expectations. No more than I was willing to tell Cappalli to go to hell—and take this woman who he thought I’d marry with him.
I laughed and left on my motorcycle, headed to Dameon’s compound. I could go in there and cause an uproar, and I considered it. I’d lived enough of this life doing as Dameon desired. When I was a boy, he could have killed me with his bare hands if I disobeyed him. Now, it would take a team of them to take me down. And honestly, that would be a great end to this miserable life. Going down in a blaze of gunfire while I took them all with me.
My mind shifted to Penelope. I needed to ensure she was safe, which was the only thing keeping me sane and in check tonight.
I changed my mind about looking for her after the meeting. I would give her one more day—but not twenty-four hours. Twelve.
