Page 53 of Married to the Mafia Monster

Two down, three to go.

The third guard is talking into a radio, giving updates to Russo. I slip behind a parked car, waiting for the right moment. As he turns his back to me, I spring forward, tackling him to the ground.

The radio clatters away as I lock him in a chokehold. He thrashes, but I hold firm until he stops moving.

The fourth guard spots me as I move towards him. He reaches for his gun, but I’m faster. I dive forward, my shoulder slamming into his midsection.

We crash to the ground, and I quickly disarm him. A swift punch to the jaw knocks him out cold. I grab his gun, tucking it into my waistband.

One more.

The final guard is more cautious. I watch his movements carefully, waiting for an opening. He’s talking to Russo, probably wondering where the others have gone.

He takes a step to the side, and I throw a knife at his leg, causing him to stumble. Before he can recover, I’m on him. We grapple for a moment, but I manage to get the upper hand. A swift twist and he’s down, unconscious.

I stand up, breathing heavily but steady. Vince Russo stands alone, looking around in confusion. His guards are either dead or incapacitated, and he’s starting to realize the gravity of the situation.

He stands there, alone and vulnerable, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and defiance. He tries to maintain his composure, but I can see the panic setting in.

“Alex,” he says, his voice wavering slightly. “This is just business. What’s one dead man to you? Why take out so many of my employees?”

I take a step closer, my grip on the gun tightening. “That’s my wife’s father. Hurt him and you hurt her. Hurt her and I kill you.”

Russo’s face pales, his cocky demeanor crumbling. “Don’t do this, Alex. My men are already inside. Only I can call them off. You kill me, she dies. Let me live and I’ll save her.”

The threat in his words is clear, but I don’t waver. I’ve come too far to let him get the upper hand now. Without hesitation, I pull the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoes through the alley, and Russo’s body crumples to the ground, lifeless.

“I don’t need your help,” I say.

I race towards the speakeasy, gun drawn, ready to confront whatever threat lies inside. My mind is focused on one thing: protecting Bella and her father.

I burst through the doors, my eyes scanning the dimly lit room. The vintage decor and eerie atmosphere do nothing to calm my racing heart. I move quickly, my gun at the ready, searching for any sign of Bella and her father.

I spot them, and behind them two men approaching, guns drawn. I swing my pistol up, ready to end this once and for all.

THIRTY-SIX

Bella

I turn just in time to see Alex pointing his gun at my dad. My heart freezes, my breath catching in my throat. This can’t be happening.

All the doubts and fears come rushing back, the whispered warnings, the accusations. Was it all true? Was Alex only in this for the job? Is he really going to kill my father?

“Alex, please!” I beg, my voice breaking. “Don’t do this! Please, he’s my dad!”

Alex’s face is a mask of concentration, his eyes locked on his target. He doesn’t seem to hear me. My dad stands still, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and resignation. I scream as Alex pulls the trigger twice, the sound of the gunshots echoing in the confined space.

But instead of my father falling, two men behind him drop to the ground, lifeless. I gasp, the realization hitting me. Alex wasn’t aiming at my dad. He was saving him. Around me people are running, heading for the exits in a panic.

“Bella,” Alex says, lowering his gun and stepping towards me. His voice is calm, but I can see the tension in his eyes. “It’s over. Vince is dead.”

I’m still trembling, my heart pounding in my chest. “You killed him?”

My dad steps forward, his face pale. “I deserve to die for everything I’ve done. So much bloodshed because of me.”

Alex shakes his head, his gaze unwavering. “Make it up to her. Be the father she deserves.”

My dad looks at him, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and hope. “You’re not the monster they told me you were.”

---