Page 80 of Scarred Hearts

I let his face go. “The Russians are the least of our worries now.”

19

SET UP

GIOVANNA

I never could’ve imagined I’d one day be the leader of the infamous Aggio Crime Family. Though it was named after my own family and passed down through the generations, I still never thought I’d be the boss. It was a position I’d never desired and still didn’t want. The weight of an entire family’s fate resting on my shoulders? No, thanks. I felt completely unprepared for the responsibility.

What I really wanted to do was dance and take my clothes off for people. Tyler might’ve been the only person I wanted; however, I loved the freedom of getting naked in front of customers and seducing them with dance. Taunting people and driving them wild was my therapy. It made me horny and relaxed me at the same time.

Yet, as I clung onto Luca for dear life, I realized the true gravity of my new position. His safety rested solely on my powers to protect him from our own brothers who wanted to murder him. Despite my reluctance, it was my duty to preserve any remnants of family that remained.

The sight of my brother, beaten to a bloody pulp as punishment for our father’s mistake, cut through me like a sharp knife. My other brothers were known for their stubbornness, and if I let Luca out of my sight, it would be a death sentence. Thankfully, Ian, Luke, and Tyler had my back, ready to protect and defend against anything. As for Angelo and Frankie, I wasn’t quite sure where they stood at the moment.

Bruno “The Butcher” Borrelli towered over Luca and me close by. He was my father’s favorite Capo. He’d been a part of our family since I could remember, and when I was a child, he seemed as large as Mount Fuji.

His daughter, Angelina, was my best friend and tragically killed at the age of nine just outside in the driveway. A family friend backed over her while we were playing hide and seek at my birthday party. I’d always blame myself for that because I told her to hide there while I ducked behind another car close by. I watched her get crushed beneath the wheels and had nightmares about it for years after. As time passed, Bruno became more like an uncle to me.

Tyler stood beside me, ready to take down whoever challenged me. But when he uttered the words, The Russians are the least of our worries now, my heart dropped into my stomach, and a coldness crept over me. The way he was touching his own face while staring down at Luca caused me to pull away from my brother, examining his injuries a little closer.

“He needs medical help,” Tyler ordered, then twisted to Angelo. “Do you guys have a doctor or something that works under the table?”

“If not,” Ian chimed in, “we do, but back in Boston.”

“Yeah,” Frankie interjected, “we got several. I’ll make a call.”

Tyler kneeled in front of Luca, checking his wrist before setting his hand back down on his lap. “His pulse is fine, but we need to get him somewhere comfortable.”

“I’m fine,” Luca mumbled. “I just need water.”

Tyler stood. “Get him some water and cold, wet washcloths. We’ll get him to a bed.” He nudged the giant Capo out of the way. “Luca, is anything broken?”

“I don’t think so,” he whispered as Tyler leaned over him.

“Let me know if this hurts,” Tyler replied, draping Luca’s arm over his shoulder and helping him stand. “Baby,” he looked at me, “will you show us to a room?”

“Yeah, come on.” I nodded, my hand reaching out to help him stabilize my brother on the other side.

“What the fuck should we do?” Carmine asked.

I twisted to face Ian, who already understood my silent request. “You guys go,” he said firmly, “we’re going to stay here and chat.”

“Thank you,” I mouthed, and he offered a single nod. I guided Luca and Tyler out of the room, followed by Frankie and Bruno. “Bruno, stay with them,” I ordered, not wanting more people than necessary around right now. I didn’t know if Tyler would need to say something he’d want kept private.

Bruno agreed silently, veering back toward the office while I handed Luca off to Frankie. He and Tyler helped as I led them through the long hallways, taking several turns before coming to a stop outside the library. Turning to Luca with a playful smile to lighten the mood, I teased, “Man, if Nadia could see you now, she’d?—”

He lifted his gaze from the floor, blinking several times. “Nadia? Where the fuck is she?”

“In Boston,” I replied with a quizzical expression, wondering why he acted as if he cared.

“I… want to see her.”

Frankie shook his head, his brow furrowed in concern. “I think you need some rest, and we can discuss it later.”

Luca was adamant, struggling out of their arms with a determined look on his face. “I need to see her.”

“Okay,” I exhaled, relenting, “fine, but you need to recover a little first. You look like hell.”

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