Page 84 of Scarred Hearts

20

COMPLETELY ME

GIOVANNA

As soon as we all woke up, we gathered in my office for a formal meeting. I had Ian and Tyler flanking me for support as I gave strict orders to Carmine and Enzo: Leave Luca alone and keep his hiding place a secret so he can recover in peace.

Once Tyler confirmed that Luca was not responsible for our father’s demise, they both agreed to leave him be. Enzo even apologized for doubting Luca’s loyalty to the family. Of course, Carmine never apologized for anything in his life, so it was no surprise when he didn’t this time either. However, he did express understanding, which was enough for me.

The last thing I wanted to do in my first week as the new boss was order the execution of members of my own family. My father had taught me that blood is thicker than water, but betrayal knows no bounds.

Even though I had officially taken over as boss, I had yet to have my ceremony. I asked Angelo and Frankie if I could wait until after the fight before taking the oath. Once that was done, my life would change drastically. We all agreed that it was best to wait.

My brothers also insisted on being present for the fight, along with Carmine pretending to be in charge in my father’s absence. After making sure everyone was on board with the plan, I ended the meeting and returned to Boston on Ian’s private plane.

The flight was quiet. I had requested some space and solitude, and although Tyler wasn’t thrilled about it, he allowed me to rest in the back room of the plane during the short trip home.

We hadn’t discussed what would become of us once I was back in New York. Neither of us wanted to face the hard truth—we’d be torn apart. I’d never be selfish enough to expect him to relocate, especially being a single father and his only family being in Boston. So, up until this morning, we pretended as if everything was fine and normal, but we were both feeling far from it.

Tyler helped me get Luca settled into a guest room at my apartment. Afterward, he went home to see his own children before picking me up for training at the warehouse and then my shift at the club. Luca and I hung out a little before I left again, but he was exhausted. I gave him some pain medication, and he went right to sleep shortly after.

Tyler and I didn’t talk much during the ride, just making small talk here and there. When we arrived, he opened my door and extended his hand for me to take. As I stepped out of the car, he grabbed my bags from the backseat. I started walking toward the warehouse, but he stopped me by grabbing my wrist and spinning me around in one swift motion.

His eyes were hidden behind his tinted sunglasses as he drew me closer to him, pressing his lips to mine in a passionate kiss before reluctantly pulling away. “Be nice today, princess. He cupped my rear in his palm, pressing his lips to my forehead.

“Yes, sir.” I pinned my bottom lip between my teeth, peering up at him.

The corner of his mouth twitched into a small smile as he moved his hand to my lower back, guiding us toward the warehouse’s main entrance. Inside, men were bustling about with black cage sections and chairs while technicians tested newly installed lighting fixtures. Tyler came to a stop, removing his sunglasses and scanning the room.

“Are you okay?” I asked softly, looking up at him with concern.

He nodded once and slipped his sunglasses back on. “Actually, come with me,” he said, taking my hand in his and lacing our fingers together. “I want to show you something.”

He led me toward a neighboring warehouse. Quickly unlocking the side door, he ushered me inside before closing and locking it behind us. He set down my bags on a nearby chair before guiding me into an enormous, dusty room with a cold cement floor. Pallets and obstacles cluttered the space. Removing his sunglasses again, he hooked them onto the front of his shirt collar as he surveyed the empty room with a contemplative expression.

“This is where it all went down,” he said, walking ahead and placing his hands on his hips.

“What happened here?” I asked, taking a few steps closer before stopping in my tracks at the sight of blood stains on the floor.

“Everything,” he chuckled, “except the warehouse that exploded,” he said. “Jake had most of it cleaned, but still, some things remain for now.”

“Is this where you—” my voice trailed off, unable to bear the thought of anyone hurting him.

“Yes,” he nodded, extending his hand toward me. “But not directly in this spot. This side of the room is from the night with Dante.”

A grin spread across my face as I remembered that chaotic yet exhilarating night. “That was so bad ass, even though I was playing Jenga with Chance,” I giggled.

He laughed softly and intertwined our fingers as we walked around several large blood stains to the center of the room. He stopped in front of a cluster of stains, some deep red and others drying to a brownish color. Nearby were three toppled-over metal folding chairs, each with its own share of stains. He let go of my hand and used his shoe to point out specific spots.

“Here,” he said, “some of it is Chance’s blood from the gunshot, but that...” he pointed a few feet away, “that’s my blood. All of it.”

My eyes lowered to where he was standing, staring down at the middle chair laying sideways on the floor. All three chairs were riddled with bullet holes. My heart sank, thankful none of them were killed.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to come back in here and actually really look at this shit.”

I linked my hand through the crook of his arm. “Do you want to talk about it?”

His head bobbed back and forth before he jammed his hands deep into his pockets, still staring at the floor. I kept my hand on his arm, squeezing a bit harder. I needed him to know that I wasn’t afraid and that I would stay by his side unless he asked me to leave, but even then, I would put up a fight.

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