Page 70 of Broken Vows

Vincent

The private jet cuts through the morning sky like a blade through silk.

Eengines humming with the kind of precision that costs blood money.

I stare out at clouds that look too clean for this dirty world, my phone buzzing constantly with encrypted messages I'm choosing to ignore.

Boston feels like a lifetime ago, but it's been less than twelve hours since Melinda and I escaped that warehouse with our lives.

She's curled in the leather seat across from me, finally sleeping after everything that’s happened. Her hand rests protectively over her stomach even in sleep, and something primal twists in my chest watching her.

This woman—this fierce, complicated, magnificent woman—is carrying my child while dodging bullets meant for both of us.

My secure line chimes with an incoming message from Tony:Family operations moved to Code Red. All soldiers recalled to stations. Your father's not taking calls.

I scroll through the intelligence reports flooding my phone. Antonio's activated every protocol short of declaring open war—territories secured, safe houses emptied, weapons distributed to street crews. The Russo machine is spinning up for bloodshed on a scale that will paint the city red.

And I'm locked out of my own fucking family.

Another message, this one from my digital specialist:Attempted breach on your personal accounts. Professional grade. Traced back to Russo systems.

My blood turns to ice. Someone inside the family—probably Marco, definitely with Dad's blessing—is trying to cut me off completely. Bank accounts, communication channels, even my security clearances. They're not just sidelining me; they're preparing to eliminate me entirely.

I dial Antonio's private line, the one that's supposed to be answered within two rings no matter what. It goes straight to voicemail in his cold, measured voice: "You've reached Antonio Russo. Leave a message."

"Dad, it's Vincent. We need to talk. Marco's manipulation runs deeper than you think. The attacks in Boston prove he's willing to sacrifice family for power. Call me back."

I hang up knowing he won't. The silence is its own message—I've been declared persona non grata by the man who taught me everything about power, strategy, survival.

"Vincent?" Melinda's voice is soft with sleep and residual fear. "What's wrong?"

I look at her—amber eyes still heavy with exhaustion, hair mussed from the makeshift pillow, wearing my jacket over her torn dress from last night's chaos. She looks fragile, but I know better. This woman stood her ground in a fight, protected our child without a second thought.

"My father's chosen his side," I say quietly. "And it's not mine."

She sits up straighter, instantly alert. "What does that mean?"

"It means we're on our own. Completely." I show her the messages, watching her face harden as she processes the implications. "Marco's convinced him I'm compromised by Mastroni influence. That our child makes me weak, unreliable."

Her laugh is bitter as broken glass. "Funny. My family's probably thinking the same thing about me." She touches her stomach. "A Russo baby doesn't exactly scream loyalty to the Mastroni cause."

The pilot's voice crackles over the intercom. "Mr. Russo, we'll be landing at Teterboro in twenty minutes. Ground transport is waiting as requested."

Ground transport. Not my usual security detail—they'd probably have orders to detain me now. I'd arranged for neutral drivers, men who work for money rather than family loyalty.

I lean forward, capturing Melinda's attention. "When we land, I need to make a choice that's going to change everything."

"What kind of choice?"

"I go to your family's compound. Directly. Break every protocol, cross every line." I run a hand through my hair, exhaustion finally catching up. "No Russo heir has set foot on Mastroni territory in forty years. It's either seen as an act of war or complete surrender."

She's quiet for a long moment, studying my face. "And which is it?"

"Neither. It's survival." I reach for her hand, thumb tracing over the engagement ring I placed there in what feels like another lifetime. "Marco's plan requires our families destroying each other. The only way to stop him is to break the pattern, refuse to play the game he's orchestrated."

"My brother will see you coming and assume it's a trap."

"Maybe. But you'll be with me. Max won't shoot through his pregnant sister to get to me." I pause. "At least, I hope not."

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