Page 19 of Bittersweet Endings
Chapter Six
CARMINE RAGETTI
“How nice of you to call, son.” JP sounded distracted, loud music and laughter filtering in through the phone.
“Cut the shit. I’ve been calling for weeks. The feds are crawling all over us.”
He was silent for a moment.
“You’re destroying everything you built.”
“Yeah, whatIbuilt. Me. Not you. Not your rotting fucking uncle.”
I gripped the phone to keep myself calm.
“Me. So, I’ll do whatever the fuck I want with it.”
“Really? After all these years, you want to burn it to the ground?” I scoffed.
“Think you’re ready to take over? Planning to put a hit out on your dear ol’ pops,son?”he snarled. “I still control the world you live in. So I’d be careful, because my reach is longerthan you think.”
“You threatenin’ me?” I grunted, and he started laughing like a lunatic. “You’re losing it, old man.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m getting older, but I can still put you six feet under.” It had been a long time since he tried to physically come at me—he knew he’d lose. “And besides, I’m having fun in my old age.”
And then someone in the background shouted something that made my blood freeze in my veins.“Octavia! Holy shit, you look amazing!”
“You’re in New York?” I barked into the phone, spinning towards Diego. He gave me a tight nod and started dialing AJ. “The fuck are you doing there? I had New York right where?—”
“Right where?” JP cut in. “Mario’s daughter? His whole damnfamiglia? All smiles and espresso this morning. No panic, no loss. Just another day to them. Sounds like your grand little plan fell flat,figlio mio.”
I paced the length of my office, my jaw tight and my heart pounding. “Don’t start with me, old man. YouknowI cracked the foundation when I took her. I let her go because now I?—”
“Because youfellfor the girl?” His laugh sliced right through me, sharp and cruel. “That why you sent that sweet piece of pussy packin’? Because you caught feelings like some fuckwit with a hard-on for a bitch?”
I clenched my fist, my knuckles popping. “You watch your fuckin’ mouth.”
“Oh, I hit a nerve? What happened to the cold bastard I raised, huh?” he sneered. “Now things are slipping through your fingers 'cause your dick’s making your decisions.”
“Unlikeyou, I’m not a reckless piece of shit who burns the whole neighborhood down to kill one rat,” I growled.
He went silent. That kind of silence that meant nothing I said was landing. Didn’t matter. I finished anyway.
“You got balls, JP. Just admit the crown don’t fit anymore.”
For years, I’d played the dutiful son, loathing my father as I grieved my uncle. JP thought control was a game only he could win, that his money and connections made him untouchable. But everyone had a weakness. And his was how much people despised him. How easily they’d turn on him if offered protection.
I rolled my shoulders, the weight of inevitability settling heavy. JP didn’t realize that his reign was ending. And I’d be the one to bury his sorry ass.
“I’m reckless? I’m a fucking god. The only reckless part of my existence was not wrapping my cock. Then maybe I would’ve saved myself the embarrassment of asonlike you.”
“You’re an asshole. Where are you? Face me,” I challenged, wanting to send him over the edge. “I know about Uncle Sal…”
His voice was dangerously calm. “No, son, you don’t. Look at you, eating the lies you’re being told straight from Mario’s hands.” Another bout of laughter. “If you were half as smart as you think you are, you’d realize that girl is a death sentence. And instead of threatening me, maybe you should protect her.”
“Stay the fuck away from her.” I showed my cards once and for all, laid the hand down knowing the game was over.
“No one appears to have lost any sleep over your little abduction. Completely unconcerned and unharmed.” He paused. “For now.” And then I heard her voice, shouting for her sister.
