Page 148 of King of Obsession

The wind whipped my hair around, adding to my diabolical appearance, given the shocked expressions.

I didn’t give a fuck, my finger resting on the trigger of my weapons, eyes trained on my woman.

That she was alive, standing, and unharmed weakened my knees.

I hissed in relief, sucking in air.

She slow-blinked as her body relaxed, gifting me with a slight, soft smile, which in itself was enough to energize the hell out of me.

I jerked my chin at her and gave her a subtle nod.

Pointing my gun in her direction and angling it to the ground in a clear message.

She obeyed, dropping to the floor.

I kicked off the festivities with a volley of gunfire.

My fellow capos materialized behind me and joined in.

Bullets pinged off the walls and surfaces, sending puffs of dust and debris.

Chaos reigned as the Contis and Caputos retaliated, weapons blazing. But we’d caught them off guard, and many succumbed before they could even draw their firearms.

Lorenzo and our capos blasted firepower in a blistering hail of ammunition.

Seeking my woman, I surged forward, squeezing roundsfrom my shotgun to clear my path.

One of the Caputo soldiers fell, clutching at his chest.

Others tried to flee.

‘Flank them on the left!’ Mauri growled over the din of battle, directing his men to move around the side of the barn. ‘Cut off their escape route!’

Projectiles whizzed overhead, shattering windows and splintering wood.

I ducked instinctively, the searing heat of a round passing close by my cheek. This was madness, an all-out war being fought for one woman.

But we had the advantage of preparation and surprise. The Contis and Caputos had underestimated us, and we’d caught them off guard.

The acrid stench of smoke and gunpowder filled my nostrils, making my eyes water.

‘Hold the line, boys!’ I rallied the crew, my voice booming across the vast space. ‘Let’s send these bastards straight to hell!’

I gritted my teeth, popping up to fire off another burst of rounds.

We were outnumbered but not outmatched. As minutes ticked on, the tide began to turn in our favor. The enemy’s ranks were thinning, their attack faltering in the face of our unwavering defense.

I was about to take to the walkway and go for Cleo when a figure stepped before me.

‘To get to my father and his bride, you must go through me,’ Rocco growled, standing at the center of the cobbled-up aisle.

We squared off, chests heaving, eyes locked.

‘Oh, I will, and I’ll flay you just as I did to your brothers.’

He jolted. ‘What the fuck?’

‘Didn’t you wonder where they’ve been all night? I don’t think they’re coming back home, asshole.’