Page 80 of Heartless Union

Straight to his stomach. Carlo doubles over, and I use that to my advantage. I grab the back of his jacket and throw him to the ground. The groan that escapes him sends happy chills over me.

I raise my foot to kick him, but he grabs my legs and rolls to the side, knocking me to the ground. We scrap with each other, both of us getting hits and kicks in, both of us getting hit and kicked.

The other men just watch. I catch a glimpse of Dante, and his expression says it all. He doesn’t think his dad will win.

I roll on top of Carlo, wrap my hands around his throat, and start to squeeze. Carlo fights me, but he’s only so strong. The reality is I’m stronger. Carlo just couldn’t let his ego accept it.

The life slowly seeps out of Carlo’s eyes. I’m gratified. I’m the true leader of the Mafia. I am right where I belong.

Then I feel the gun press into my head.

“Let him go,” Dante growls.

I do as he says. Carlo sucks in a ragged breath.

“That’s against the rules,” I tell Dante.

He shrugs, keeping his gun pressed to my head. “I don’t care. You’re not going to win this, Rocco. You’re going to die right here, right now.”

I look around at the other men. “Are you all just going to let his happen? I was winning the fight fair and square.”

James stands up. “He’s right. Dante, back down. Rocco will be our new leader.”

“Bullshit,” he hisses.

Sebastian, another of my father’s closest allies, joins James. “Drop the gun. Dante.”

“You all wanted my father to be ruler.”

“That was true,” James says. “Until he started a crazy revenge kick going after Rocco and his family. It’s only caused chaos. I want a ruler who’ll be stable and secure. I believe Rocco will be that. Now, drop the gun.”

“No,” Dante seethes. “Rocco is going to die here today, and my father will take over.” He turns back to me, pressing the gun even harder into my head. “Any last words?”

“You’re a fucking coward,” I say to him, staring him right in the eye.

The way Dante’s face scrunches up in anger will carry me through in my afterlife.

His finger inches closer to the trigger.

And the gunshot goes off.

Except, it’s not Dante’s gun.

Dante jerks to the side, crying out as he drops his weapon. He grips his arm as blood seeps past his fingers.

I turn to see who just saved my life.

It’s my brother, Emilio. He’s standing in the warehouse with Lara and Gabriella at his side.

“Does anyone want to try killing my brother now?” he asks.

Dante looks around the room before running away. No one bothers stopping him. He won’t get far in life without his daddy to protect him.

I can’t give Lara much thought right now. I have to deal with Carlo first.

I look down at him. He doesn’t bother begging for his life. He knows it’s over. I grab Dante’s gun off the ground and place it to Carlo’s head. And then I shoot.

He’s dead in an instant.

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