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I lean back against the couch, barely listening as Ace's phone chimes, and he updates Percy about something Giovanni has texted him. I'm too busy worrying about my infuriatingly sexy, wonderful mobster. The father of my child, who's in danger even now because he's determined to make things safe again.
I just need him to get back soon so we can find a way to stay together and safe at the same time.
Chapter 24
Nico
"Boss?"
I glance at Danny, realizing this isn't the first time he's tried to catch my attention. He's been on the phone with another group of my men, enforcers who are on their way just like we are. I've been preoccupied with my thoughts, but I need to focus if I want to get shit done.
"Update."
"They'll be parked on the other side of the underground speakeasy. We don't know if there's a rear exit, but they'll come around the front if there isn't. We already have Greyson and Bruno there, each with their guys. They're keeping their distance, for now, all armed. We should get there in a few minutes."
"Where's your team?"
"Ready for cleanup."
I nod and watch as our driver cruises through more traffic. I don't come to this part of the city much. Most of it is historical but not well-kept. It's less crowded by towering buildings, mostly scanty shops. There were plenty of speakeasy bars in this area during the 1920s when my family and many others thrived off bootlegging.
Not a bad place to finally spill the blood of the ever-elusive Lorenze Gatto.
A vengeful father who can't see straight through his thirst for blood.
Sybil's words sting even now, along with the memory of her slap. I grit my teeth. I shouldn't be so stuck on this right now. I let that pathetic shooter go earlier in favor of what I knew she would want, but it doesn't mean I can just drop everything expected of The Undertaker.
Even if my father didn't require this of me, I need this. I want to kill this man. He's the one who destroyed my father—murdered my mother and shipped her to us as parts. Lorenze Gatto is the one who's chosen the direction of the Gatto family: selling women, killing for money, and choosing violence at every turn instead of dropping the feud.
He killed Johnny. He pulled the trigger himself and saw me arrive just in time to get away, leaving so fast that he left his right-hand man for me to kill in front of Sybil. He's disloyal. A sadist.
Afottuto mostro,just as my father said.
Getting rid of him is the right thing. I won't let Sybil's morals get in my way.
Still, her voice is replaying in my head and in my heart.
If I justify my revenge, someone else will justify theirs, and it will come right back to me. It's a gross cycle. If I had to choose between making him and his family suffer or taking my loved ones far away so we could be safe… I'd choose the latter.
I rub my face, running my hands through my hair.Cielo aiutami.I can't be this preoccupied. It's as if I can see her sitting beside me in the back seat, arms folded as she glares at me with those beautiful brown eyes, daring me to try fighting her.
She would ask me what I assumed my father would pick. I'd tell her to let it go. She'd flip me off or swear or roll her eyes, and it would only drive me crazier for her.
"Boss?"
I look at Danny again.
"We're going to arrive any minute. You have a gun on you?"
No. I don't. I look out the window again with a heavy sigh, flexing the sore muscles of my fists. "I don't need a gun to stop thattesta di cazzo'sheart."
I can't let Sybil get in the way of what I need to do for my family. For our safe future. This isn't just about revenge, though I am owed that. This is about giving our future child the best possible life because already, that kid has stolen a piece of my heart away, too.
Once I do this, I can return to Sybil and prove to her that I'm not out for blood for blood's sake. This is necessary to appease my father's and my own aching over everything that has happened. It will bring peace to countless members of the Attolini family who have been wronged by Lorenze Gatto, their loved ones taken by him and his family.
And if I don't kill him, it's only a matter of time before they take notice and begin to target Sybil again. No way in hell will I allow that to happen.
This will end, and I will go back to Sybil and explain everything to her. After that, she can be furious with me, and we can fight before ending up in bed together again. And then, if she lets me keep her and love her, I'll give her everything she ever wants.
