Page 74 of Fatal Sloth

"Hey boss, just wanted to ask if you want the cases we recovered, ya know, the ones anchored to the bodies we pulled up today," Theo's voice comes through the line.

"No, toss it," I reply immediately, my tone brooking no argument. Even if each case is worth fifty thousand dollars, I don't want it. Besides, I can't risk it trailing back to me if it's a setup.

"Are you sure? I opened the cases, and they’re waterproof. Everything's intact," Theo persists.

"I don’t fucking want it! Get rid of it!" I scream into the phone, my voice echoing with rage. I hurl my phone against the wall in frustration. Fuck! Why can’t people listen the first time? First, with Mia and the baby news, and now Theo. I'm the boss, and I call the shots!

Standing from my seat, I stride over to the bar cart, pouring a generous amount of whiskey. I knock it back in one go, feeling the amber liquid burn all the way down. Pouring myself another glass, I return to my desk. Mia’s stricken expression fills my mind as I sink into my chair.

I thought she wanted her freedom after I became the don—not to sit around and play the happy little wife. And now she’s pregnant? If she leaves now, it will only put a target on her and my baby’s back. I can't let that happen. Now, I have to keep her here.

The selfish part of me wouldn't mind if she does have to stay. I know I shouldn't have said the things I did to her. The look in her eyes when I yelled at her is burned into my brain.

I’m a mess! My mind is all over the fucking place. I don't know what I want, but I need to apologize to her––to make things right. Maybe it’s not too late for her to change her mind about keeping it.

My dead Nonna would turn in her grave if she heard my thoughts right now. Who am I kidding? I wouldn't let Mia do that, either. It’s the golden rule in the La Cosa Nostra—never harm women or children.

And here I am, the biggest fucking hypocrite for hurting my woman the way I did. Although I didn't put my hands on her, I still hurt her. Thinking of her getting rid of the baby, our baby, kills me.

I don't want kids, but the thought of having them with her doesn't sound like the worst thing. Mia is so patient and kind, even if I am a lazy asshole who only thinks of myself.

This kid would still have unconditional love.

I down my drink and stand up, ready to head out of the room to find Mia. I pick up my phone from the floor and pull the door open, coming face to face with Marie. Her hand raised mid-knock tells me she was ready to knock.

“Not now,” I tell her, ready to move past her.

“Don Sebastiano, please,” she begs.

"What is it?" I ask.

“Remember when you asked me to befriend the chef, keep a closer eye on him?” she asks, and the look on her face tells me this isn't good.

Roman was Uncle Gino and Aunt Rinna’s personal chef. Not too long ago, Nico moved out of his mom's house, and Aunt Rinna claimed she didn't have a need for Roman anymore, so she asked if I needed a chef. While I wasn't opposed to the idea of someone helping Marie, I had a feeling about him. Dad told me I was being paranoid because he was Gino’s chef and the best cook.

Before Mia came to live here, I had asked Marie to befriend him, stay close to him, and find out anything she could about him. Although he had worked for our family for a while, I still didn't know him. Marie is one of the few that I fully trust, and Roman wouldn't suspect her.

Now, standing in front of Marie, her eyes wide with concern, I can tell something isn't right. She's usually composed, but right now, her hand is trembling slightly, and there's a tension in her shoulders. It's making me anxious, too.

As Marie hands me her phone, I snatch it from her grasp, my heart pounding in my chest. "What the fuck is this?" I demand, pressing play on the audio recording.

Speaking in hushed tones, the familiar voice of Roman fills the room. "Pezzo di merda," I mutter under my breath as I listen to Roman speaking on the phone.

Marie's eyes widen in shock as she listens alongside me, her hands fidgeting nervously. "I couldn’t believe it either," she whispers.

My grip tightens on the phone, my knuckles turning white with rage. "I'll rip him to fucking shreds," I growl, my voice dripping with venom. Without waiting for a response, I storm out the door, my body trembling with fury. This betrayal won't go unpunished.

“He already left,” Marie says with urgency, stopping me in my tracks.

“Do you know where he went? Did he say?” I press, my heart pounding in my chest.

“No, but I went to look for him to see if I could get anything else, and he was gone,” she offers.

“Good work, Marie,” I tell her before pulling out my phone to send a quick text to Enzo. He needs to rally up my soldiers and get a few over here to make sure Mia and my child are safe.

I sprint upstairs, each step echoing in the quiet mansion, my heart pounding in my chest. Panic tightens its grip on me as I realize Mia isn't in the room. She's probably in the gym, my legs carrying me down the hallway at lightning speed. Bursting through the gym doors, but it's empty. My fists clench in frustration. Where the hell is she? I search every corner, every room, but she's nowhere to be found.

Then, a thought sends a shiver down my spine. Does he have her?

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