Page 67 of Scorned Obsession

Blood drained from my face. I swayed and clutched Sandro’s arm. “How bad?”

“Not bad.”

“It’s going to be closed for months,” Tommy informed me in a way that didn’t hide that he was shooting the blame my way.

“Tommy…” Sandro growled.

“What? She needs to know. First Gian’s poker game and now this.” I heard from Divina the cops raided their poker game yesterday. Gian was pissed. One of his soldiers was in jail, and it looked like the racketeering charges were going to stick.

“You think my family did this?” I challenged.

“Who else?” Tommy replied.

I looked at Sandro. “Do you believe it?”

“What I believe doesn’t matter. The De Luccis are within their right to retaliate,” Sandro said.

“Exactly. But they wouldn’t do this. Blatant destruction of property…” I paused. “Was anyone hurt?”

“A couple of guards,” Sticks said.

“I’m sorry.” At least Sticks didn’t look as condemning as Tommy.

The front door opened. Gian and Griselda walked in with Raffa.

I was immediately on guard with the wave of hostility entering the house.

“Oh good, she’s awake,” Griselda sneered.

A threatening sound rumbled in Sandro’s chest as he pulled me close.

“Look what your family did!” Her eyes flashed viciously.

“Enough, Griselda!” Sandro snapped.

“Enough? Enough?” she shrieked. “It was our sweat and blood that built that club. And now, because of your stupidity over this girl, everything is up in flames.”

“Sandro’s the stupid one?” I shot back. “Why don’t you ask Raffa here how his ridiculous conditions keep me from my family? Was that your intent, huh?” I shot Raffa a glare when he couldn’t see me. I ignored Sandro’s warning squeeze on my shoulders. “You were setting us up to fail. But regardless, you know what? My family wouldn’t do this. This isn’t their MO.”

Gian advanced on me, but Sandro must have had enough. He didn’t even warn his cousin. He simply shoved him.

“Don’t even breathe her air,” Sandro warned.

Tommy grappled with Gian to hold him back.

“My wife…” Sandro stressed those words. “Is right. The De Luccis won’t try anything destructive while they’re not sure of Bianca’s situation.”

“Surely you’re not suggesting we just tuck our tail between our legs,” Gian sneered. He looked at the Blind Don. “Raffa, do you see now who you backed as boss? He’s pussy-whipped. He’s more concerned with his wife’s feelings than the Rossis’ interests and will never put us first.”

“I am putting the Rossis first,” Sandro spat. “Do you really want this to become a bloody street war with the De Luccis? Tit for tat. When will this end?”

Raffa, who’d been quiet through all this exchange, finally said, “Are you absolutely certain that the De Luccis aren’t behind the club fire?”

Sandro was silent.

“They aren’t,” I answered.

“I wasn’t asking you, little girl,” the old man said. A smirk curved his mouth. “Do your job, Sandro. Figure out this shit. In the meantime, try to curb your wife’s tongue. She should know her place in the family and give us that Rossi heir.”

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