Page 28 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

The ranch style safe house was nestled in the woods. It was thirty minutes from civilization. In a pinch, we could get here in fifteen minutes by helicopter.

I honed in on the special details. There were wooden floors throughout, and mahogany wooden ceiling beams in the living room and kitchen. Wood trim encompassed every window, giving a view of lush green trees.

Mom and Breann ran into my arms. Their tears soaked my shirt.

Mom stepped back, lightly clutching my face, inspecting the wounds I endured during the plane crash. “We’re so happy you’re ok,” she cried, tears streaking her face.

I gripped my little sister’s shoulder, holding her close.

“Me, too,” I choked up.

“All right, that’s enough,” Dad barked.

“He needs to lie down?”

Breann smiled up at me. “I’ll harass you later.” She grinned.

I laughed. “Don’t I know it.”

The oven timer sounded in the background.

“Rocco, your room is the first door on the right. I’ll bring you a plate of baked rigatoni. That’s all I could make at the last minute. Due to our new living arrangement,” she said, hurrying to the kitchen.

“I haven’t been to this safe house in ages. Like before you were born, Rocco.”

I wondered if Mom and Dad associated with Luciano and Melanie before Ryah was born.

“That was a lifetime ago,” I chuckled.

“Not funny, Rocco.”

“You know even though this isn’t home I’m happy to be here with you guys.”

A huge smile flashed across mom’s face. I peeked behind me. Dad sat on the sofa, pulling Breann close. I bet he was ready to watch a TV show on the ID channel.

I continued into the bedroom, tossing my backpack on the floor.

Before I hopped in the shower, I stood in the mirror, taking in my rugged appearance. My eyes were red. I looked and felt like I hadn’t slept in days. Everyone’s voice sounded muffled, like we were standing in a tunnel. The muscles and bones in my body were beginning to hurt again. Fuck, I forgot to take more pain meds.

I removed the white gauze wrapped around my head. The image of Ryah sleeping beside me was at the forefront of my brain. I missed her already. This war had to end soon. All I needed was a decent night’s rest, and I’d be ready to kill the motherfuckers keeping me away from my woman. We both had new phones, and I had no way to get a hold of her. Unless I wanted to go through Luciano. Shit, he’d probably let my text go unanswered.

Then I had an idea. I’d have Genn reach out to Ercole and get Ryah’s number. I exhaled. Fuck, I’d rather taste her lips and tongue, but I’d settle for seeing her beautiful face every now and then.

After a hot shower, I sat in bed wolfing down the delicious pasta mom cooked.

She sat at the foot of the bed, watching me stuff my face.

“Mom, you’re staring. I won’t disappear if you blink.”

She laughed. “How’s Ryah?”

Her inky locks rested on top of her head in a messy bun. She wore jeans and a blue blouse that brought out her eyes.

“Ryah’s traumatized. We didn’t have that much time to talk after the plane crash. You know with my seizure and all.”

Sadness slipped across her angelic features. “After all of this is over, you’ll take time to talk.” Mom patted my ankle.

“Hey, have you ever met Melanie?”

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