Page 18 of Shotgun Daddy
Faustino balled his hands into fists, fury boiling over as he stalked a few paces away from his motorcycle and then back again.
Were Michael and Matteo behind this? Had they decided he was too much of a wild card, too unpredictable to keep in the fold? The thought of being plotted against by his own family hit Faustino like a sledgehammer.
How could they?
Power changed people, but this was something else if there was even a hint of truth to it. Faustino had seen it in the old regimethey’d toppled together, watched loyalty twist into betrayal. Was the exact same thing happening to him?
Faustino jumped onto his motorcycle, the engine roaring to life as he powered it away from the warehouse.
The wind whipped past him, stinging his face, but it did nothing to cool the rage he felt. If his own brother and cousin were trying to take him out, this was war. He’d trusted them with his life, spilled blood for them, built this empire with them… and for what?
Faustino needed answers. He needed answers fast. And he’d rip them out of someone’s throat if he had to…
But as Faustino sped through the city another thought clawed at him… Reece.
If someone was gunning for him, he could be in the trouble too. He’d promised to protect him, to keep him safe from creeps like Timo, but this was a whole other level.
Darker, deadlier, and something that Reece hadn’t signed up for.
Faustino gritted his teeth, pushing the bike harder, the engine’s scream matching the fury building in his head.
First, he’d figure out who’d just tried to put a bullet in him.
Then he’d make them pay… family or not.
No onecrossed Faustino Fendi and walked away clean…
Chapter 9
Reece
Reece let out a long sigh. It was one of frustration and a little bit of confusion too. Having not heard from Faustino in two days, Reece didn’t know where he stood with him, and it was gnawing at him.
Already, he’d checked his phone a dozen times that morning alone, hoping for a text, a call, anything to let him know he was okay. After all, Faustino had promised to look after him, to sort out Timo Taylor, and set him up with a fancy-pants acting coach, but now…silence.
It wasn’t like Reece expected Faustino to be glued to his side, but after the spanking and sweetness that followed, Faustino’s sudden disappearance left him feeling off-balance.
Was he in trouble?
Had something happened with his family?
Or worst of all… had Faustino changed his mind about him?
Reece tried to shake it all off as he stepped into the small studio space for his one on one acting class, paid for and arranged by Faustino before his disappearance.
The room smelled faintly of old wood and coffee, with a single chair and a small table set up in the center.
So far, so good.
Mr. Albert Adler was already there, pacing with a clipboard in hand. He was a legend in the business with decades of Broadway hits and a reputation for turning talent into the real deal.
Reece had Googled him the night before, his excitement bubbling over at the chance to work with someone so iconic. But now, standing in front of Mr. Adler, that excitement was fading fast…
“Reece, yes?” Adler said, barely glancing up from his clipboard. His voice was clipped, his gray hair slicked back, and the cold look on his face all screamed showbiz arrogance. “Let’s not waste time. Sit. We’re starting with a cold read.”
Reece hesitated, then slid into the chair, clutching the script he thrust at him.
“Um, okay,” Reece said, his voice nervous. “Hi, by the way. It’s an honor to-”
