It’s about time this fucking city knew that the De Santis are back.
In the car, I direct my words at Sterling. “You’re excused to join the others. Vito, Parker and I have to make a quick stop.”
His eyes flicker towards me in the rearview mirror, curiosity piqued. He wisely refrains from asking questions. He knows better than to trifle with me, lest he suffer the consequences.
“Drive on, Sterling.” After a few more miles, Sterling gets out of the vehicle and joins the other cars in the convoy.
He’s going home to prepare my house, the De Santi mansion, for my arrival. I’m making my return a grand shit with a vengeance that will make my name feared on this street again.
“Boss, where are we going?”
“To Canal Street, we are meeting up with Andre.”
Vito makes a quick turn, heading to Canal Street. Andre has everything set already. My patience wears thin as I stare at the road, ignoring Vito’s gaze through the rearview mirror.
I’ve waited for this for a damn long time. Andre had better not fuck this up.
“That store,” I say, pointing to a grocery store by the right-hand corner of the street.
A black Range Rover is parked in front of the store with a man outside the driver’s seat, smoking a cigar. It’s Andre. His biceps hug his brown leather jacket tightly. He has his dark brown hair in a faded cut with a tattoo on his neck.
A second passes as Vito slows down and we approach the store.
Her familiar face walks out of the store’s doors. She hasn’t changed a lot. Her blonde hair is in a ponytail, with those round amber eyes fixed on the bags she has in her hand. She’s uttering some words to Andre as Vito parks behind their car.
“Get her,” I instruct Parker.
He swiftly jumps out of the car with a gun in his hand. The sound of a bullet whizzes in the air as Vito takes a clean shot at Andre’s arm through the window before Andre reaches for his gun.
Gianna is perplexed as Parker grabs a hold of her. She’s trying to fight him back but he is stronger, hitting the side of her head with the pistol.
Parker pulls her back to the car and forces her into the backseat. Vito is quick enough to drive away as Andre begins to shoot. He has his other arm bleeding from the shot. I know he’ll survive. The shot was only a ploy to keep him working for the Mancinis. They can’t know he secretly works for me. Not until I achieve my goal.
“Gianna.”
Her eyes grow wide when she sees me. “Oh my God, this can’t be... no...”
My jaws and fists clench tightly.
She is shaking her head frantically as I graze my fingers on her jaws.
Her eyes and lips tremble in disbelief.
“I’ve waited long enough. It’s time to face the consequences of your and your family’s actions.”
With that, Parker covers her face with a black textile. She struggles for a few minutes but Parker keeps the cloth in place until she falls unconscious.
She has always been one hard nut. I have other plans for her.
***
“Ah, finally awake, I see, Gianna,” I say, my voice low and deep.
She quivers as I fix her with a vicious gaze.
It’s been a long hour waiting for her to wake up. I had stared at her all the while she was asleep.
Her eyes flutter open, and her face pales with a puzzled look on it. I can see my presence hasn’t registered yet. She strugglesagainst the restraints, her hands strapped to the iron railings, her body moving frantically.