Page 57 of Wrong Pawn. Right Capo.

The ex-commissioner is the only remaining lead now—the one who began this rat race in the first place.

That fucker better be ready to talk, or I’ll crack his skull open and get whatever information I need, even if I have to carve it out of him.

“Get me everything you can on the ex-police commissioner who struck the deal with Valente,” I bark at Francesco.

“I already dropped it in the office, Capo.”

Good. Francesco may be older than I am, but he knows exactly what to do, when, and how to do it. That’s the major reason I’m keeping him close, besides the fact that my father trusted him.

Later that night, as I settle into my study with a glass of cognac to keep me up, my hand reaches for the dimmed desk lamp, turning it up to review the folders Francesco dropped for my scrutiny.

Some of them contain information on leads we need to follow, like that slimy ex-police commissioner, others are receipts of purchases we made, while the most important document is our certificate of ownership for a waterfront building my father used to own.

My thumb rubs over the watermark, a tight feeling settling in my chest. After the Bellandini massacre, I laid low for some time. I was supposed to be dead, and I wanted it to remain that way until I was able to restrategize and begin my revenge plan. During that period, Francesco sold some of our assets to help us survive before he could gain access to my father’s contingency fund.

It was the first step I took once I secured enough money to reset the businesses we lost—buying back all our properties… and then some.

Under the certificate is a list of people scheduled for an interview for the reopening of the Marcodini club.

On the surface, it’ll be an old rusty place being brought back to life, but just like with Father, that’s the route through which all our drug deals will pass.

In no time, I’ll reopen the sister strip club where weapons will be traded and international deals will take place. My father was not the most powerful mafia don, but his business structure carried the family for years.

I intend to build on that same structure and expand it until we’re a fucking empire.

Chapter nineteen

Elena

Shopping is therapy.

That’s a mantra I firmly believe in, and it works. Every single time.

It’s been very difficult adapting to this new lifestyle where I have to wake up in a different house, walk around strange men, and eat unfamiliar food. My job is the only thing that has kept me afloat, and even that has been extremely demanding.

Perusing the luxury displays of the boutique, I run my fingers lightly over the clothes on the hangers. I pick out a silk skirt, checking the length over my legs as my mind drifts back over the past few weeks.

During the quiet mornings since we arrived, the city would come alive while I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of Adriano’s study—which I’ve been using as a temporary workspace—a silk robe hanging loosely around my shoulders and a mug of coffee in my hand.

I began a global marketing and PR campaign for Elané within the past six days, and traction seems to be building up nicely. Three influencers were already successfully signed to model my skincare products.

It has required me to be up most nights, taking professional calls and discussing strategy with various executives, but it’s worth it. Every part of it. I needed that one win after everything that has happened these past few weeks.

Putting the silk skirt back into place, I take out a sequin dress and run my eyes over the unique design.

The death threats have ceased for the past three weeks, and Adriano has constantly been on guard, following me to every single meeting and event.

He’s behind me right now, and I can swear his eyes are roaming the bare skin of my legs in the denim cutoffs I have on, completely ignoring the clothing racks. But what do I care? It gives me immense satisfaction knowing my body completely unhinges his composure. I know he wants me.

If my entire family hadn’t been destroyed weeks ago, and my heart shattered along with it, I would have called this the most successful chapter of my life.

The shrill sound of my 1 p.m. alarm cuts through the air. Shit. I have two meetings this afternoon, plus I need to do some more shopping for the themed event the mayor’s wife is hosting this weekend. The charity fundraiser had been a success, and I was thrilled when I received an invitation to another event.

Holding up the sequin dress, I wave for one of the staff to come toward my section. A young blonde guy with a charming smile and bright blue eyes walks up to me. Adriano steps beside me protectively, scowling down at the young man.

“Can I try this on?”

“Sure, ma’am.” He motions me over to the changing room and holds the door open for me. Adriano moves to follow me, but the employee nervously gestures to the sign on the door. “Only one person per room, sir. You’ll have to wait out here.” Then, he extends a hand, lightly pressing his fingers against the small of my back to guide me in.