Page 52 of Heartless Union

I could never forgive my father for it. I didn’t believe a word he said when he said he didn’t kill her. He killed her. My father might have been good at hiding his guilt, but I saw it.

He killed her.

And now, I killed him. Before it was time. Before we were ready.

Shit, shit, shit.

They have to be there to help. The only way we’re making it through this is together, especially with Carlo and Dante still on the loose.

I dial Massimo’s number. “Get over to Father’s house.”

“Rocco … Has something happened?”

“Bring Emilio and get over here.” I hang up in case Dante or Carlo are listening in. I wouldn’t put it past them to hack my phone.

When Massimo and Emilio arrive, I lead them into Father’s office. They stop dead in their tracks at the sight of his body.

“So, you finally did it,” Massimo says.

I shoot him a look. “Now is not the time for jokes. We can’t have anyone finding out I killed him. We need to stage his death as a suicide by hanging. And then we need to talk to his most important men and make sure they’re on our side and not Carlo’s. Who knows who he’s gotten his claws into already.”

Emilio nods. “Ok. I’ll get the rope.” He leaves the room.

Massimo turns to me. “Are you all right?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You just killed our dad, Rocco. It’s ok to not be all right.”

“Massimo, enough with your compassion. It’s getting on my fucking nerves. Keep an eye on the body. I’m going to make some calls.”

I reach out to Sebastian, one of my father’s closet allies. He’s also one of the richer ones.

“Rocco?” he says once he answers. “This is a surprise. I’m used to your father calling. Not you.”

“My father is dead. He killed himself. Hanging.”

Sebastian is quiet on the other end for a moment. “Sorry to hear that.”

“I know. I just found out. But I need to ask, Sebastian, do I have you on my side?”

He sighs. The sound is loud in my ear. “You see, I was already approached by Carlo Romano. He asked me the same question, and I told him I was ready to see someone new in charge. Sorry, Rocco. I want someone with more experience like Carlo. You’re still young.”

“I’m thirty-three. Not a baby.”

“I know. But I’ve worked with Carlo for many years now. I’d rather see him lead.”

This is not going according to plan. “Good to know, Sebastian.”

“Oh, and Rocco? My honesty won’t get me killed, is it? You need all the allies you can get. It wouldn’t be smart to go on a killing spree.”

“Not at all, Sebastian. You’re safe. I’ll step down and let Carlo take over.”

“Good to hear.” He pauses. “Well, goodbye.” He hangs up.

And I nearly break my fucking phone.

Ok. So, I don’t have Sebastian. Let me try James, another one of my father’s closest men.

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