Page 123 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

I nod, my voice too choked to speak.

Sergio looks at me. “I know we don’t know each other at all, but my brother is a good man. He’s had his share of fuckups and he’s made some bad judgment calls, like all of us, but he’s the most loyal guy I know. And he ran hard for that bullet, taking it so you didn’t.”

“I know,” I whisper. “He saved my life.”

“Yeah,” Sergio says. “I know things happened fast with you two and shit didn’t go exactly according to the script of a fairy tale, but he’d have given anything to keep you safe. Including his life.”

I swallow the sob that bubbles in my chest. “This can’t be the end,” I whisper. Sergio opens his arms and pulls me close.

“Matty is a stubborn old fuck. And he’s vicious. He’ll fight hard, Heaven, because he knows what he has.”

“So do I,” I whisper. “So do I.”

“Mrs. Villani?”

I jump at the intruding voice, spinning around to see one of the nurses, and I can’t read her expression. Professional, somber. Fear spikes. “W-what is it? Is he…will he…?”

“Your husband coded. He’s in emergency surgery.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry I don’t have more of an update for you right now.”

Sergio’s arm tightens around my shoulders, and I’m grateful for the support, my legs wobbling. The nurse scurries back through the large red doors. Aunt Maura rushes over to me.

“Your dad’s being patched up now. They’ll probably keep him for another hour or two just for observation. Patrick is taking care of the pub. No sign of Conor.” She bites down on her lower lip, gaze moving from Sergio to me. “How’s Matteo?”

Words won’t come. I shake my head as tears threaten to fall again. I’m not letting them. I refuse. Matteo would hate them, and I already cried on him today. She wraps her arms around me, stroking my back like she used to do when I was young.

Back then, it was comforting.

Now all it does is make me feel confined.

I may not be able to save my husband, but I may be able to avenge him. And my family. Just like I said I would.

Before I can do anything, the weasel himself, Conor, bursts into the emergency room, running over to us.

I push away from Aunt Maura as he dangles car keys in front of me. “I got one of the fuckers,” he hisses. “He’s in the trunk. And I have a location for Dominguez.”

Adrenaline floods my veins and I grab Conor’s wrists. “I’m going.Now.”

He shakes his head. “No.” A murderous gleam lights his eyes. “We. I’m involved, Heaven.Wego. He’s fucking finished.”

I’m going to need backup, and I’m not putting anyone from Matteo’s family in danger. Conor caused this. I don’t care about the deal Matteo had with Dominguez. Conor started the real danger. “Fine. We’ll go.”

I go back over and look up at Sergio. “I have family business to take care of. Call me the second you hear anything.”

“Fuck that, I’m coming with you,” he says.

“Family—”

“Matty will kill me if something happens to you. You’re going after Dominguez and I’m coming. I want a crack at this bastard, too.”

“Fuck.”

He stares at me in a way that’s so Matteo, I almost lose my shit. I nod. “Don’t get killed.”

“You, either, Mrs. Villani.”

I look at Aunt Maura. “Tell Roman and Dad we’re taking care offamilybusiness and call me the second you hear anything.”

She grabs me, pulling me in for a tight hug. “Be careful,” she whispers. “And be smart. He’ll be expecting you.”

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