Page 105 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

“How long had I been asleep?”

He hesitated. “Two days.”

Eyes wide, I stared back. “Two days?”

“Dom, felt it was best that you both rested.”

I peeked at the morphine machine.

Shit, I couldn’t argue with my cousin. He was here because I knew he’d make the best decisions for me. And Rocco since we found him.

“Thanks, West.”

“No problem.”

“When did the asshole arrive?”

“About ten minutes ago.”

Dominic stood in Dad’s face near the entrance, pointing and yelling.

“You, said you told Rocco to keep her out of the life. Luciano, he can’t control her.”

“That’s obvious,” he growled.

“It’s not his place to control Ryah. She can do whatever she wants. I understand why he gave in. He’d rather Ryah be with him, then be out there on her own. We don’t know what could’ve happened both times.”

He grabbed Dad up by his blazer lapels. “If you're so worried about her not learning the streets, tell her she’s not taking your place. That’s what this all boils down to, right?”

A tall, muscled man wearing a dark suit stepped in my periphery. I peeked to my right. He hid behind dark aviators. He puffed on a cigar, then gruffly rubbed his dark beard. He was an older version of my boyfriend. Why was he watching Dominic and Dad argue?

Were we all waiting for Dad’s answer?

“She will rule next to me. Not in the fucking streets.”

Dominic slammed Dad against the cement wall. “We all know that’s no way for a boss to rule. She has to get her hands dirty in the streets.”

Dad shook his head. “Not true. We have enough men to bring our enemy to her.”

I eased to the edge of the bed, stood, and unhooked myself from the pain meds machine. Thanks to the morphine drip, the pain didn’t rock my insides the same.

“Ryah, let me help.” Urbano gingerly held my arm.

The limp was still prevalent. I felt the tears well in my eyes as we walked across the room.

“Thanks. This is fine.”

Dad shoved Dominic. “I need to see about my daughter.”

He gripped my face and planted a long kiss on my forehead. “I love you so much, Ryah.”

Balling my fists, I slammed them into his chest. “How could you hurt him like that? You almost killed my boyfriend,” I cried.

“Do you know why I was hit by the truck?”

He stood staring at me, wide eyed.

“I saw Art, and I froze in the middle of fucking traffic.”

---