Page 23 of The Mafia's Second Shot

Last night plays on a loop in my mind, each moment as vivid as the one before it. The way his hands felt on my skin, the whispered promises, the vulnerability in his eyes. It was real—I can’t deny that—but now, in the harsh light of day, it feels like a mistake. Not because I don’t love him, but because I do. And that terrifies me.

Loving Cooper means stepping into his world—a world filled with danger, betrayal, and choices I don’t know if I’m strong enough to make.

I throwon a sweater and jeans, hoping the mundanity of the outfit will ground me, and make my way down the hall. The house is eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of voices coming from the kitchen. I don’t want to eat. I don’t want to see anyone.But I need to do something—anything—to stop the whirlwind in my head.

I find myself in the study, drawn to the stacks of papers still spread across the desk. My fingers hover over the files, the weight of last night’s discoveries pressing down on me. The list of names, the Xs and checkmarks—it’s a stark reminder of what Cooper’s life entails. And now, by extension, mine.

“Morning,” Liam’s voice startles me, and I glance up to see him leaning in the doorway. He’s holding a mug of coffee, his expression neutral but watchful.

“Morning,” I reply, my voice hoarse.

“Looking for something?” he asks, nodding toward the desk.

“Answers,” I say, a bitter edge to my tone. “But I’m not sure I’ll find them here.”

Liam steps closer, setting the mug on the desk. “You’re not the only one who wants answers.”

“What does that mean?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

He hesitates, his gaze flicking to the door before returning to me. “It means there’s more going on here than you realize. And not everyone in this house is on your side.”

The words send a chill through me, but before I can press him for more, he turns and walks away, leaving me with more questions than I had before.

I findCooper in the dining room, hunched over his phone with a scowl on his face. He doesn’t look up as I approach, but the tension in his shoulders tells me he knows I’m there.

“We need to talk,” I say, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.

“Go ahead,” he replies, his tone clipped.

I sit across from him, crossing my arms. “What are you doing about the traitor?”

His eyes flick up to mine, sharp and unyielding. “I’m handling it.”

“Are you?” I press. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re stalling.”

“I’m not stalling,” he snaps, leaning back in his chair. “I’m being careful.”

“Careful?” I scoff. “Someone in your inner circle sold you out, Cooper. They put you, your men, and me in danger. And you’re sitting here, waiting for what? More proof? Another attack?”

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he’s going to explode. But instead, he exhales sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. “This isn’t as simple as you think, Zoey.”

“It’s simple to me,” I reply, my voice rising. “Find out who betrayed you and deal with them. Or are you too afraid to do what needs to be done?”

His eyes narrow, and when he speaks, his voice is low and dangerous. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” I fire back. “Because it seems to me like you’re more concerned about protecting your reputation than keeping the people around you safe.”

“That’s enough,” he growls, standing abruptly. “You don’t get to come into my house, into my life, and tell me how to run things. You don’t understand the risks, the stakes?—”

“Then make me understand!” I shout, standing to meet him. “Because right now, all I see is a man who’s too scared to make the hard choices.”

The silence that follows is deafening, the tension between us thick enough to choke on. He stares at me, his jaw clenched, his chest heaving, but he doesn’t respond.

“I can’t stay here forever,” I say finally, my voice trembling. “I can’t live like this, wondering who I can trust, waiting for the next attack.”

“You think you’re safer out there?” he asks, his voice cold. “You think Rossi’s men will just forget about you if you leave?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I can’t stay here, Cooper. Not like this.”

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