Page 31 of Unworthy Ties
“Right,” Fiorella laughed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And I’m not calling you from the bathroom to avoid Dad’s lecture about proper lady behavior. Anyway, I’m serious. Let’s go do something.”
Fiorella and I made tentative plans before I hung up, my heart feeling lighter than it had in days. The prospect of spending time with Fiorella brought a smile to my face. I glanced at Giuseppe, peeking out from behind the pillow.
“I’ll let you out... next time,” I promised, quickly putting him back into the suitcase where he now lived. I was still too embarrassed for Rocco to see him.
Maybe I was too embarrassed to show other parts of myself to Rocco, too.
Chapter 15
Rocco
Ihad already been married to Gabriella for three months. Even though it was an arranged marriage, the time had flown by.
Tonight, we were going to have dinner at her parents’ estate. Tomaso Coscia and I had had many meetings before; all related to business. The conversations were always efficient and flowed easily, and I enjoyed doing business with the man.
But this would be my first time going over as Gabriella’s husband; no mafia business involved.
I adjusted my tie in the mirror, making sure everything was perfect. Gabriella walked into the bedroom, stunning in her emerald dress that brought out the warm honey tones in her eyes.
“You look beautiful,” I said, my voice catching slightly.
“And you look very handsome,” she teased. “Now we need to get going.”
As I reached for my jacket, our door was kicked open with a loud bang. I reacted instantly, shoving Gabriella behind me while reaching for the pistol I kept holstered at my side.
“Hide under the bed and text Felix,” I muttered. “But first, lock the bathroom door and shut it.”
The intruders would likely check the bathroom first. If they found a locked door, they would assume Gabriella was in it, and try to break down the door. This would buy her more time. I pushed her toward the bathroom, then positioned myself against the wall near the bedroom door, gun drawn.
I looked into the mirror I had just been using to adjust my tie and saw three masked men storming into our living room. Each carried automatic weapons—professionals, not street thugs.
“Check every room!” a gruff voice commanded.
I steadied my breathing as the first one entered the hallway, his shadow stretching across the hardwood floor. I held my breath, finger hovering over the trigger. Years of mafia work had prepared me for this moment, but nothing could quiet the thundering of my heart as I thought of Gabriella just feet away.
The first intruder stepped into the bedroom, sweeping his weapon across the space. I didn’t hesitate. I fired twice—pop, pop—the silencer muffling the shots as he dropped to the floor. Before his body hit the ground, I was already moving.
I darted into the hallway, keeping low. The second man turned at the sound of his partner’s body collapsing, but I was already on him. Two more silenced shots—one to the chest, one to the head. Clean. Efficient. The way I always worked.
The third man ducked behind the kitchen counter, spraying bullets wildly down the hallway. Plaster exploded near my head as I dropped to the floor and rolled behind the door frame.
I needed to end this quickly. The longer the fight dragged on, the greater the danger to Gabriella. I counted to three inmy head, then pivoted around the doorframe, making a dash towards the kitchen.
The intruder fired wildly, but I had already anticipated his trajectory. Sliding across the polished floor, I came up beneath his line of fire. He adjusted too late. I fired three rounds in rapid succession—chest, throat, head. He slumped against the refrigerator, leaving a crimson trail as he collapsed.
Silence fell over the apartment. I remained crouched, scanning for movement, listening for the slightest sound that might indicate more attackers. Nothing.
“Fuck,” I muttered.
I had no idea who these men worked for, I needed to dispose of three bodies, and my suit was covered in blood. It was safe to say we weren’t going to dinner.
“Gabriella,” I called out, moving cautiously back toward the bedroom. “It’s clear now.”
Gabriella poked her head out from under the bed, her eyes wide with fear, but quickly hardening into something else. Determination. That look I’d come to admire over these past few months.
“Who were they?” she demanded, her voice steady despite everything.
“I’m not sure. Just…wait inside the bedroom for now. I don’t want you to see this.” I moved to close the bedroom door.
