Page 130 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

Mom blushed. “I mentioned the mural to Jackie later that night. I was a complete mess,” she laughed.

“Your dad said the same thing. He had the mural painted to remind him of our love.”

I placed my hand over hers. “You’re a strong woman, Mom. Not many women would stick around.” I shrugged and smiled. “Just saying most would’ve taken her out.”

“It was hard. Another time Rosetta tried burning my restaurant to the ground.”

“That bitch is a real piece of work.”

“She is. Jackie said Rosetta hated being embarrassed. That’s why she tried to kill us. She didn’t like her husband having a mistress and a child out of wedlock.”

My stomach bottomed out again. Daughter born to the Gumar would forever hang over my head.

Fuck that despicable bitch.

Holding my head high, I met Mom’s gaze. “It’s just a matter of time before she gets hers.”

Mom smirked. She didn’t agree or disagree. That was all I needed to know she was on board.

“There’s a chair in the dungeon. Is it yours?”

There was a beat of silence. “Yes.”

“I’ve gone so deep into your dad’s world. I never thought I’d sit on the sidelines and watch a person die because they said something harsh and disrespectful about me.”

“Tell me about grandfather. Dad told me a little. He admitted granddad tried to kill us.”

She looked off to the left. “He sent someone to our home.” Her voice wavered. You could hear the deep pain over her words.

“Ercole and Ugo were good to me. They took their jobs seriously. One night, Ercole noticed someone was on the property. He placed pillows in my bed under the covers. Ercole told me to hide in the basement. I did as I was told. My heart was in my throat the entire time. Hiding in a closet, I heard four pips. Someone fired more silencer shots. There was a scuffle, then silence. I wasn’t sure if my guards survived. Ugo staggered into the basement. He called out to me. I opened the door and noticed blood dripping from his shoulder. I asked him to let me patch him up. He said there wasn’t time. He led me to the truck in the garage. Then he ran back inside and dragged a bleeding Ercole out and placed him next to me in the backseat. Ugo got us out of there. The second we turned onto the main street. Bullets rang out, blowing out the rear window. Ugo fired back. It was like a movie was playing out in real time. One of the bullets hit their tires, and the truck flipped a few times, then exploded.

Once the coast was clear, he called Luciano. After dropping off Ercole with a private doctor, we were driven to a safe house. I stayed with Jackie until Sergio picked me up and took me to Jersey.”

She swiped at the tears that streamed down her mocha cheeks. “They were so good to us.”

Mom placed her hand on mine, gripping it tight. “Your grandfather has so much blood on his hands. He’s pinned murders on others to keep the heat off of him. I need you to remember that. He’s a different kind of monster.”

“Mom, I’m a special kind of monster,” I said, in a low voice.

“I know just how to handle a monster like that.”

A heavy hand caressed my shoulder. My heart lurched in my chest as I met the person’s gaze.

“I have no doubt you’ll take care of such a monster.” My father’s eyes were wild and dark. I had no idea how long he’d listened to us talk.

Holding his hand tight, I flashed a wicked smile.

Dad kneeled between us and held us tight. It was a special family moment that was long overdue.

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