Page 44 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

He tilted his head to the side. “Our fathers sent us to deliver the final message. After all it was our future thrones that were threatened.”

“Where’s your traitorous father?” Bettina glared at Bosco.

“What makes him a traitor? Not siding with your crazy ass grandfather. Like my father said, he needed to be put down like the crazy bastard he was,” Bosco roared.

“His decision to go into the bar, guns blazing that night, has people from that era still giving our family skeptical glances. Marty accused Talli of stealing when he did no such thing. I don’t know what your mother or Alfonso told you, but your grandfather was sick,” he growled, whipping his fingers through his short, dark hair in frustration.

“Bullshit!” she shrilled. Her fists curled at her sides. “Talli was a thief. And his trigger-happy bodyguard killed Baggio. The Andrisanis should have paid with the loss of a son.”

“What the fuck?” Bosco glowered. “Marty killed Talli for a beef he created in his head.” He pointed at the side of his head.

Bettina inched closer, cursing him in Italian.

“Enough,” the familiar sweet voice shouted from behind.

“What happened in the past stays in the past.”

Ryah and Scarlett stepped past us, halting before Bettina.

My woman wore a navy-blue pants suit that clung to every curve on her body. Her curls were pulled back in a neat ponytail. The black stilettos were a nice touch.

Get your mind out of the gutter, Rocco.

Scarlett wore a black tank, form fitting blue jeans, and red sneakers. She was ready to get dirty.

“You return seeking vengeance for a feud that happened fifty years ago. You believe your family should have authority over the territories our four families’ control. No, you don’t have the right. We do now and in the future. We are the next mafia bosses to rule the underworld. You, nor those who believe Marty was right in his actions, will ever have a say in what goes on in Philly,” Ryah bit out.

“She’s right. You can’t be in your feelings about a situation that was settled. You used your fury to steal from the Andrisanis and the Conti’s. No more.” Gian gripped Bosco’s shoulder.

“He’s the next boss of the De Bello’s. Now tell us where your son is.”

Gian leaned in. “If we have to hunt him down once, he’s found we’ll cut him into tiny pieces.”

“He’s dead,” she shouted. “Lando died during childbirth,” Bettina cried into her hands.

I wasn’t falling for her theatrical show.

“Bullshit,” I growled. “If he’s dead, who did you plan to take Bosco’s place?”

I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear her say it.

“Another family who wanted in. They have new money. I made a deal with Danny DeMarcus. The agreement was his son Danny Jr. could run the underworld with me and his father’s help. I admit I was the person who wanted to harness the power. But I also realized I needed more muscle.”

The back of Ryah’s hand met Bettina’s cheek. The loud slap hung in the air.

Bettina lunged forward. Ryah didn’t waiver. Scarlett spun a knife in her hand, then jabbed it into Bettina’s shoulder.

“Back the fuck down, bitch,” Scarlett roared.

Bettina shrilled in horror.

“You don’t have a right to approach the Conti mafia princess,” Scarlett warned.

I doubt any of us believed Bettina’s son was dead. But Genn dug up his death certificate. It just didn’t make sense. Why would she let a person who wasn’t family sit on the throne? The story didn’t sit well with me.

The bosses were at one of our warehouses in Philly torturing the DeMarcus Clan. Hopefully, they’d get more information. I had a feeling no level of torture would make Bettina give up her son, who just so happened to be our age.

“Make no mistake, Bettina, we’ll drive that message home to the rest of your family. Not to cross us ever again,” Gian snarled.

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