Page 57 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

I’ve heard of Alexei. He’s infamously known as the prodigal son who connived with his father’s enemies—my brothers. He had his father killed and stole his throne as head of the Bratva.

From what I’ve heard, Alexei’s father had killed his mother and married another woman. This Mikhail they’re speaking of must be one of the sons the father had with his second wife.

“That’s why I need to talk to him,” Dominic says. “He’s worked with Elio Valentes. He should be able to tell us a few things about him.”

“How would he know anything about Elio if the Bratva are also rivals to the Camorra?” I ask. I need to know how things work in this world I’ve lived my life on the edge of.

“The fucker ran away from home after his father died,” Marcus answers. “He probably thought Alexei would kill him.”

“But that was bullshit. Although they’re on half-brothers, Alexei loves his brothers to death.” Dominic shakes his head and looks at me in a way that fills me with guilt. “The oldest ones always have to suffer. Long story short, we caught him and I made him spend a week in my dungeon before I returned him to his brother. I would’ve loved to have kept him for longer.”

“You’re a beast at heart brother.” I don’t mean that, but my brother is really twisted.

“Kids need discipline.” Dante throws back his vodka and frowns. “Look at you, becoming a made man this late in life. It’s truly a shame.”

I glare at him. Being annoying is Dante’s strongest talent. I’m sure Marcus feels the same. I’m surprised Dominic still keeps him as a friend without ripping his tongue from his mouth. Dominic has a nasty temper and Dante speaks too much for his own good. They’re a weird combination. Truly.

Dante squints at me with suspicion, twirling the vodka in his hand. “Have you tried asking Isabella what she knows about Valentes? She may know where he is.”

“She doesn’t know a thing about him because he wouldn’t want her to. He’s not that stupid.” I know I’m being more emotional than logical, but I almost lost her today. I don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to her. I’d burn the world down and wouldn’t give a shit who I hurt.

I would have searched every corner in hell for Elio until I found him. Then…then I would’ve made him suffer a fate worse than death.

“I’d disagree. The man is stupid,” Dante says with a sardonic laugh. “But fine. Whatever you say, man. She’s your girl. But if she betrays us, I won’t hesitate—”

“I suggest you watch how you finish that sentence, Dante,” I growl, cutting him off.

Dante scowls at me. “What are you going to do? Put a bullet in my head?” His laughter reverberates through the study. “You couldn’t even control your girl and look at the mess you’ve caused.”

I shoot up to my feet and prowl towards him. “Say that one more time.”

Dante opens his mouth to repeat the bullshit that just came out of it, but it’s Dominic’s voice which stops me.

“Stop this bullshit. Both of you.”

My fingers curl into fists, my breath heavy as I try to keep myself from walking over to Dante and punching him in the face. He’s one lucky bastard.

“This meeting is over,” Dominic says, sitting back in his chair and steepling his fingers in front of him. “We’ll continue this discussion after the initiation and you’re all better behaved. Leave, all of you.”

I take a deep breath as I glance at my brothers, then I leave the study before I can do something I’ll regret.

Isabella is in the shower when I enter her room. I can smell strawberry shampoo and bath soap. I’m tempted to join her, but I guessing she’d get a fright and I don’t want to do anything that’ll make her uncomfortable. It’s already hard enough for her thinking my brothers hate her.

Walking to the bed, I sit on it and let my thoughts wander to tomorrow night. I’ll officially become a made man after shedding the blood of one of our enemies. I think back to my days in the army, all the lives I saved and the trauma from not saving the one person who mattered the most to me. My best friend.

It won’t happen a second time. I’ll keep my family safe, I have to. I’ll take a life tomorrow to ensure that.

The water stops running and Isabella emerges a minute later. She has a towel wrapped around her chest and another covering her hair. She’s beautiful. So beautiful my dick twitches and sparks of electricity tingle in my veins.

“Hi,” she says as she sees me. She’s nervous, I can tell from how her fingers are fiddling with the edge of the towel. “I didn’t expect you’d be back so soon.”

“Are you uncomfortable around me?” I should be a gentleman and leave the room if she is, but I can’t. I need to hold her, comfort her, and make her feel safe. It’s what she needs after the day she’s had.

A bitter smile tugs at her lips as she unwraps the towel around her head and her silver hair falls to her shoulders. She’s a fucking goddess. “No, I’m not uncomfortable around you. I’m just ashamed.”

“Hey.” I stand up and cautiously walk to her. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Her gaze drops to the floor. “I betrayed you. I’m a coward and a fucking idiot. I don’t deserve you.”

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