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The girls moved in front of Tony, shaking uncontrollably, dressed in ripped clothes with black and blue marks on their face, arms, and chest.
"Jesus.” I shook my head. "I'm gonna kill thatpompinaro."
A few weeks ago, I went to Johnny Z's club and knocked him around until he gave back the girls he stole from us. I paid him back by taking half of the girls from his strip clubs to spite him. We'd been going back and forth for years, our businesses in direct competition with the other.
"This isn't going to stop." Scrubbing a hand across my cheek, I looked at Tony. "We have to get rid of that fucking family."
My father tried to prevent future bloodshed in Atlantic City by forcing Nico to marry Vittoria Vitale. But we weren't the only connected men in this city.
Johnny Z and his crew had been a pain in our families' sides for years. So now that we were coming together, it made sense for us to eliminate them. But my dad was set on bringing peace to AC. He was sick of all the violence and how it impacted our casino.
"Take care of Candace and Vanessa," I said to Tony. "Give them three months' pay. Have someone sit on their houses in case Johnny Z's guys come back for them."
Tony gripped the girl's shoulders and told them to return to the dressing room, where he would meet them. After they walked down the hallway, out of earshot, he said, "What do you want me to do with Johnny Z?"
I glanced over my shoulder at Ava and lowered my voice. "Send Pete and Vinnie to collect Johnny's second in command. Make sure Johnny gets the message not to fuck with the kings."
Tony bobbed his head and walked away.
I locked the door behind him and resumed my place beside Ava, not wanting to alarm her.
"Are we in danger?" Ava clutched my forearm and stared into my eyes as if she were searching for the truth.
"No," I lied, flipping through all the messages on my cell phone. "But you should get going soon. Angelo has been texting me every five minutes. He misses you."
She needed to leave and get as far away from this place as possible for her safety.
Today, it was our girls.
Next week, it could be Ava.
And I couldn't take that risk.
ChapterTwenty
AVA
On the morning of my twenty-second birthday, I woke up to the sound of several voices on the first floor. Bacon and sausage floated through the air, accompanied by several delicious aromas. Nico and Dante both liked to cook. But I doubted Dante was doing anything nice for his captive.
I smiled at the thought of Nico making me breakfast again. He was so sweet and nothing like his brothers. When I was with Nico, I felt loved and seen. Nico gave me a sense of peace, which I needed in this time of confusion and unrest.
My dad was still out there.
They were still looking for him.
I slid my legs off the side of the bed and clutched my chest. My dad was rarely home for my birthdays. After he sent my mom away, I spent most days with the staff. Enzo and Angelina were more like my parents.
At least I would see them tonight.
My dad would be another no-show.
I climbed out of bed and tied a silky black robe around my waist. After brushing my hair and teeth, I padded toward the stairs in a pair of fuzzy slippers.
I stood at the top of the stairs and watched all four of them. They were all so gorgeous… and mine. To my surprise, Dante and Nico were in front of the stove. Dante wore an apron with his usual black designer suit beneath it.
I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.
Nico wore a suit with a Kiss the Chef apron around his neck. For a split second, I couldn’t help but wonder what the two of them would look like in nothing but the aprons.
