Page 43 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

CHAPTER SIX

ROCCO

THE QUEEN’S MEN CONTINUEDto hit our businesses hard. The blood-shed felt endless.

We sat on the intel Genn and Art gathered and waited for the perfect time to strike back. After a month of fighting, we hoped to end the war today. Gian, Bosco, and I strolled through the back door of the candle shop after slaughtering her men in the alley.

Chest puffed out behind my bullet-proof vest, I clutched two Glocks with silencers in my gloved hands. We halted in the center of the shop.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here? If it isn’t the man himself, Pandulf Alinovi. You sent my family’s flight attendant onto the plane to die with us. She was a nervous wreck. And she never behaved that way before. You’ll be happy to know after I pressed her buttons, she came clean. My father spared her life. She no longer works for us, though. She was relocated to a new town with a new identity. Your plan to kill us didn’t go off without a hitch,” I laughed.

Decorative candles sat at the end of the wooden counter, where he stood closest to the front window display.

Batch guarded the front door. He raised two fingers to his temple in a salute. I returned the gesture.

Light brown wooden shelves surrounded us. Scented candles lined every shelf. The cream walls gave a pleasant feel. Customers had no idea murderers ran this shop.

I inhaled the sweet smell of vanilla in the air.

“The candles smell good.” I nodded.

“Too bad this place is going up like a matchbox.”

Coming face-to-face with this motherfucker brought relief. We were finally at the finish line.

“How are you alive?” the man with chocolate soulless eyes asked.

Hysterical obnoxious laughter tore from my throat.

“One of my bodyguards knew how to fly a plane. He saved our lives. Now raise your hands and step out slowly,” I ordered.

Torturing this motherfucker would be the highlight of my summer. A summer that went to shit back in June.

“Aunt Bettina,” Bosco called out beside me. “Come out from your hole and face us. Like a good little gangster,” he growled.

Dressed in expensive tailored suits, we looked like bosses.

“He sounds pissed. I mean, who wouldn’t be?” I turned my palms upward. “You threatened to steal his birthright.”

Silence hung in the air.

“You can either come out on your own accord or Gian will come in and get you. He’s an excellent marksman. He can shoot you in all the right places that won’t kill you, but will hurt like a motherfucker,” I taunted, staring at the office door.

The guys and I glanced at each other, then burst into laughter.

I heard the back door open. “Rocco, we’re secure. The police chief was paid to look the other way. Nearby businesses have been evacuated, and the snipers are on the roof across the street,” Agosto chuckled.

“Looks like they are indeed. I wouldn’t make any sudden moves, Pandulf, there’s a red dot on your head,” I snickered. “Step from behind the counter slowly.”

At the same time Bettina De Bello Levine walked toward us, hands raised. A long blonde ponytail dangled over her tanned shoulder. She wore a yellow knee length sundress and sandals. Perfect for a hot PA summer day.

Her emerald green eyes landed on me. “You’re still alive. How unfortunate.” An exaggerated sigh released from her throat.

I ignored her smart fucking comment.

“How nice to see your beautiful face. You look just like your late grandfather Marty,” I laughed.

She shook her head and turned her sinister gaze to Bosco.

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