Page 30 of His Son's Ex

I push the thought aside. Now is not the time.

Straightening, I roll my shoulders back. “Let’s go. We have business to handle. If Lombardi wants a war, he’ll get one.”

Luca inhales sharply. “All right.”

We step out of the room and into the warehouse—a large, dimly lit space near the waterfront. The air is thick with salt, sweat, and the faint metallic bite of blood. My men move with controlled efficiency, securing loose ends.

Darren is being locked away in a side room, the sound of a heavy door slamming echoing through the vast space. Good. He’ll keep for now.

Riccardo, one of my most trusted men, approaches. “Boss, we rounded up the rest of the scumbags. They’re all telling the same story, that Lombardi tipped them off. Told them the wedding would be an easy job. They had no idea it was a Bellacino event.”

My jaw ticks and I look at Luca. “You see? They try to cut themselves a slice of our pie, we either put them in the ground or remind them who’s in charge. There’s no in-between.”

Luca exhales. “I get it.”

No, he doesn’t. But he’s staying, which means there’s still hope.

Riccardo shifts. “What do you want us to do next?”

I adjust my cuffs, smoothing out my tie. “Send a message to Lombardi—loud and clear—that we know he’s responsible. If he’s smart, he’ll realize he’s out of his depth and try to makeamends.” I pause. “If he doesn’t, we go to him. And we bring everyone.”

Riccardo’s lips twitch. “Understood.” He lowers his head in respect before striding off, leaving me alone with Luca.

“You should go home and get some rest,” I tell him. “We’ll meet tomorrow. By then, I’ll have a plan.”

He hesitates. “Are you really keeping Darren alive? You’re not just going to… you know.”

I smirk. “That depends. If Lombardi comes crawling, Darren might be useful. If not, then he’s just another lesson.”

Luca swallows. “Right.”

“Go home.” I jerk my chin toward the exit. “We’re done for tonight.”

He hesitates but nods, walking away with stiff shoulders. I watch him go, knowing he’s wrestling with what he’s seen.

The problem is, I don’t have time for wrestling. Enemies are closing in.

I lean against a crate, exhaling slowly. My mind drifts back to Eva, wondering where she is, hoping she’s safe. The memory of her skin against mine, the way she looked at me with raw desire in her eyes, sends a rush of heat through me.

She’s too good for this world. Too good for me.

And yet, I want her badly.

I push off the crate, forcing the thought away. I have work to do. My men are waiting.

“Boss?” Riccardo approaches again. “We setting the next steps in motion?”

I nod in the affirmative. “First, check on our men from the wedding. Make sure families are compensated. Then, track Lombardi. Find out if he’s gone underground yet.”

“On it.”

The urge to check on Eva is strong. To hear her voice, to know she’s okay. But if I reach out, I risk pulling her into this mess. And if Lombardi finds out I care about her, she’ll become a target.

I clench my jaw. I can’t check on her. Not yet. Not until I have this situation under control.

Straightening, I stride toward the exit. Outside, the air is crisp, the scent of the Hudson thick in the breeze. A few black SUVs idle nearby, my men posted around them like shadows. They nod as I pass.

I nod back, scanning the city skyline. The glitz and glamour hide the blood that runs beneath its streets. And right now, a lot of that blood is on my hands.

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