Page 145 of Empire of Seduction

My knees wobbled, so I put the bottle down and braced myself on the counter, my gaze never leaving the dark red capital letters. She loved me?

Why hadn’t she told me?

I would have, I don’t know. Told her I felt the same for starters. But what difference would it have made? I still had to lie about the Red Raiders and she still would’ve found me repulsive. There was no changing how opposite our lives were.

“I want someone I can trust, someone who isn’t always hiding shit from me.”

She asked the impossible. Mafia men were required to keep their work separate. I would never have a wife who served as a confidant. It was too risky. I had to lie and evade, otherwise I might die. Worse, other people might die. I couldn’t risk her life with the truth.

“Your version of a future is repulsive to me.”

My plans for our future couldn’t be separated from what I did for a living, which meant I was repulsive to Maggie. Not my body, obviously, or my face. But deep down, inside? I disgusted her. She hadn’t said it outright, but the message couldn’t have been more obvious.

And who could blame her? I was a murderer and a liar. A danger to anyone who came too close. She was better off with someone normal. A boring man with a boring job.

So why was I hanging onto the winery?

I stared at the words on the mirror and looked for answers. The idea of giving back the winery and never seeing her again was like a blade through my sternum. I didn’t want to do it. I couldn’t stand the idea of . . . .Cazzo.

My siblings were right. Deep down, I was hoping to win her back. It was why I kept the winery. I was hoping to change her mind, like a fool.

But it was pointless. Her feelings had been made clear on the subject of our future. I loved her, but Maggie didn’t want the life I could offer her and wishing otherwise was pointless. The sound of my breathing echoed in my ears as the truth sunk in.

I knew what I had to do.

What my pride and common sensedemandedI do.

I pulled out my mobile and tapped the glass. When my sister answered, I said, “Return it. Give them a sizable amount to repair the damage and all the rights back.”

“Finally,” Paloma said. “You’re reasonable.”

Reasonable, yes. But it still hurt. “Grazie, sorellina.”

“Wait, Enzo needs to speak with you.”

I sighed as she passed her mobile to my brother. Enzo wasted no time, saying, “We found them.”

I didn’t need to ask who he was talking about. His computer guys had been searching for the Red Raiders. “Where?”

“I’m not telling you. You’re not going before the funeral.”

Grinding my back teeth together in frustration, I checked my watch. “If I leave now, I could get back before calling hours at the funeral home tomorrow morning.”

“Forget it,” Enzo said sternly. “We’ll deal with this after the funeral. And I’ll go with you. I’ve been itching to get my hands dirty these past few months.”

I stared at the words written on the mirror, the lipstick confession she left behind. Maggie might not love me any longer, but I loved her. That would never change—and I would always protect her. Her safety came before anything else, even my happiness. “I can’t risk waiting two days. They might return to the winery.”

“They are hours away and Benetti’s men are already watching them,” Enzo said calmly, as if this were obvious. “If the bikers make a move, we’ll hear about it. Let’s get through the funeral, capisce? Then we’ll go and slaughter those stronzi.”

Rubbing my jaw, I debated this. Tomorrow my city will be flooded with ’Ndrangheta bosses. It was my responsibility. I couldn’t be in two places at once. Cazzo! I slapped the marble countertop with my palm. “If something happens to her . . . ”

“Don’t worry, fratello. Everything will work out.” He disconnected.

Yes, it would. But only because I would oversee it. I would double check with Benetti, ensuring he had enough men dedicated to the task. I would also inform the security team at the winery. Only when I was assured of her safety would I rest easily.

I left the bottle, the shower. The bed. All of that would need to wait. I had more work ahead of me tonight.

twenty-five

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