Page 27 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

“Just get it off your chest, Luciano.”

“What might that be?”

I peeked at Agosto. “Give us a minute.”

He nodded and walked into the living room.

Hands stuffed in my pockets, I leaned against the natural-colored wall, blowing out a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe you want to tear me a new asshole for not talking Ryah into returning home with you.”

“She should’ve been with me. I was beside myself for letting her fly with you. But I wanted to believe you’d keep her safe.”

“Luciano, I did everything I could.” I swallowed hard. My emotions kicked up as I relived the horror on my woman’s face before we crashed.

“You won’t want to hear this. But Ryah told me she wanted to die with me rather than be on this earth without me.”

He palmed his head. “What the fuck? She’s young and impressionable. What she thinks you two have isn’t real love.”

I bounced off the wall. “Like you, I ran through girls like I changed my underwear. I’ve been in love with Ryah since we were kids. I tried to stay away. Tell myself I didn’t deserve her. Do you have any idea what it was like to watch her date other guys? All I wanted to do was kill those undeserving assholes. She belonged to me.” I shook my head, and the room spun. I gripped the edge of the counter to regain balance.

“Ryah is my woman. There is absolutely nothing that can tear us apart. Not even you,” I growled.

The sinister look in his eyes told me don’t be so sure. “Luciano, I understand you almost lost your daughter, but I’m asking you not to do what I know you’re dying to do. Tear us apart. She will hate you if you do.” I stepped closer.

“Once we catch our enemies, Ryah will be by my side,” I bit out through gritted teeth.

“You stand here ready to fix your mouth to tell me to leave my woman. The only woman I’ve ever loved. Yet, you wouldn’t obey your father. How did it work out leaving Melanie alone?”

He twisted my dress shirt in his fists, slamming me against the wall. The back of my head slapped the drywall. Dizziness struck again, but I didn’t fucking waver.

Agosto approached. “Rocco!”

“Stand down,” I ordered, chuckling in Luciano’s face.

Agosto stood in my periphery, not leaving my side.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Luciano growled, foaming at the mouth.

“If you rip us apart now, next year she’ll be back in my arms, permanently. And you’ll lose her forever.”

“Who are you to come between me and my daughter?”

“Ask yourself that question. I’m the mirror image of you and my dad.”

I sighed. “Luciano, we’re alive. Go spend time with the women you love. Our lives were spared. Ryah’s safe.”

He released me and stormed out the back door.

Gripping the counter, I groaned. “Agosto, let’s move.”

I joined Dad in the backseat of the suburban.

“What did you say to Luciano? He looked pissed.”

“He was just in his feelings after our little heart to heart.”

***P***

It smelled like Mom was cooking one of my favorite pasta dishes as Dad and I walked inside. Fresh tomatoes and basil wafted up my nose.

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