Page 33 of Reign Of Triumph
“God, it’s good to see you all,” I say, making eye contact with all of them. I wrap my arm around Serafina and bring her tight to my side. “I’d like you all to meet my wife, Serafina.” I look down on Serafina’s face and say, “Gioia mia, these are some good old friends.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Serafina replies brightly, then looks toward Milana, who is now standing next to Julian. “Thank you for not making me the only woman in a brood of men,” she giggles. Milana doesn’t hesitate to pull Serafina down to sit next to her, and the two begin to gab as if they’ve known each other for years.
Seventeen
The Attack
Serafina
There are many layers to my husband, and tonight, I find out that he spent time working with Il Destino. Am I shocked? Absolutely! But more surprising is how close they became and remain to this day. As they relay the story of how it all came to be, I am riveted.
Milana is wonderful, and the story of how she and Julian came to be is something not to be believed. Milana and Julian seem happy together. Julian has a protective arm around her shoulders and Milana leans into her husband, not wanting to lose his touch.
The DJ is playing some of my favorite songs. Unconsciously, my toe is tapping to the beat of “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” by Role Model. That’s when Eros decides it’s time for us to join the others on the dance floor.
This is a night of many firsts. My first time wearing a sexy red dress. My first time at a club, and my first time meeting Eros’s friends from his past.
“I’m having the best time,” I tell him loudly, hoping he can hear me over the music. Obviously, he hears me, because he kisses me, then twirls me around and pulls me flush against his chest.
When we return to our table, the guys are laughing and joking around. Milana and I find that we have more in common than we thought. Milana’s father died, just like mine, although my father died of an illness, whereas her father was killed when he decided to do business with the enemy. Milana was on her own and remained in hiding for years, until one day, she stuck out her neck to save Julian. We both understand loss.
Everything is wonderful, until it’s not. In an instant, the mood goes from fun and free to eerie. It’s not just me; the entire table goes still and on alert. Eros searches the room, and his eyes land on Alessandro, who is looking beyond our table. I whip my head around to see who’s there, but all I see is a shadow.
Right on cue, Danilo appears at Eros’s side. “Get the women out the back,” Eros orders. Julian instructs Fernando to accompany Danilo, but before any of us can move, Alessandro has his gun aimed in our direction. When it goes off, the bullet whirls past Eros. I scream, then hear a thud and a groan. I turn to see a man slump to the ground, a single gunshot between his eyes. Immediately, Eros charges to his feet, dragging me with him, then handing me over to Danilo. “Do not let anything happen to her,” he commands before he springs into action. Everything happens so fast. Danilo grips me firmly as he guides me out the back, with Fern and Milana behind us.
Eros
Alessandro’s quick reaction saved my life. However, that bullet is the first of many, and the club descends into utter chaos. Women scream wildly. People are stampeding toward the exits. Julian, Alessandro, and the other men take cover as Danilo and Fern push through the crowd. Cassio and Vincenzo are covering Alessandro. We look around the room and notice several men ducking behind the bar. Stupid move: we have them cornered with no place to go. This tells me these guys are amateurs. Someone put them up to this, and by agreeing, they’ve sealed their fate.
Julian picks off two others who come barreling through the door. Alessandro leaps over the bar and straight into the line of fire. Several shots go off, and then nothing. Complete silence hits the room. One by one, hands come up from behind the bar. Then Alessandro stands with one hand wrapped around an enemy’s neck, his gun pointed at the other man’s temple.
I don’t see it at first, but Cassio does. Alessandro’s been shot. Cassio rushes over to him while Julian and his men take care of the shooters. I make the call to Nero.
“Hey, man, having a good night out?” he asks when he answers.
“I was until we were attacked. I need a cleanup crew at The Vault. Three dead and three captured. Alessandro’s hit,” I tell him. “I’ve got to go find Danilo. He has Serafina with him.”
“Shit! I’m on my way.” He disconnects.I race in the direction where Danilo was heading with Serafina, only to stop when I hear her shouting at Danilo.
“You’ve got to let me out. He needs me. I need to go to Eros!” she insists angrily.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Palloma. My orders are to keep you safe,” Danilo replies. I hear Serafina’s grunt of frustration.
They’re in the storage closet under the stairwell. “It’s over, Danilo,” I tell him, and when he unlatches the door, Serafina stumbles out into my arms. Her face is wet with tears, and she latches her arms around my neck. “Shh, it’s okay, baby.” Milana moves past us and straight into Julian’s embrace. I hate to move Serafina away, but I must see to Alessandro. He’s my man and my responsibility. “Alessandro’s been hit. I’ve got to go check on him.”
She unwraps her arms from around my neck but holds on to my hand as we walk back into the club. The Vault is going to need a makeover. There’s broken glass everywhere, tables and chairs are turned over and broken, and the walls are riddled with bullet holes. Cassio stands sentry by Alessandro while he sits in a chair.
Alessandro shrugs it off. “It’s nothing, boss.”
“Let me take a look at it.” I check out his shoulder, and he’s right. It’s nothing too serious, but it still needs to be treated. “The doc is on his way. I want you stitched up before you head home,” I tell him.
“I’ll stay with him for the night,” Cassio volunteers.
“Not necessary,” Alessandro interjects.
“Let him stay. Won’t bother you either way,” I say.
Alessandro looks at Cassio who is silently pleading with him to let him spend the night. “Fine. Fuck. But you’re on the couch,” Alessandro says with a grin.
