Page 35 of Mafia Don's Twisted Union

The pieces I’ve been trying to fit together suddenly feel bigger, darker.

“Carlito,” I say hesitantly, “do you know who might be behind this?”

He turns to me, his expression unreadable. “I have my suspicions. But right now, the only thing that matters is keeping you safe.”

I nod, though the unease in my chest doesn’t lessen.

As Carlito crosses the room and pulls me into a firm embrace, one thought takes root in my mind, impossible to ignore:

Who was that man... and why was he after me?

Chapter 16

Carlito

The air in my penthouse feels heavier than ever, the hum of tension pressing against my temples. Guards are stationed at every entrance, their sharp eyes scanning for threats. The surveillance monitors blink with grainy images from across my properties, but none of it matters. My focus is here, in this room—now a war zone in its own right.

Leo stands beside me, flipping through a dossier filled with intel on Matteo Russo’s latest moves. The weight of the attack still sits on my shoulders, each detail replaying in my head like a cursed loop: the gunfire ripping through the rooftop, the screams, and Dario’s blood staining the floor as he shielded Mia with his body.

“We’ve confirmed it,” Leo says, his voice pulling me out of the spiral. “Dominic Caruso was the shooter.”

Dominic. My jaw tightens, and my fingers curl against the armrest of the leather chair. I force myself to breathe evenly,but inside, a storm rages. Dominic—Mia’s estranged brother. The man she’s barely spoken of and never seen in years. I’d considered him irrelevant. A ghost. But ghosts have a way of haunting the living.

“And Russo?” My voice is sharp, controlled, though my chest feels ready to explode.

“Dominic’s working for him,” Leo replies. “Likely under duress. Matteo’s using him as leverage—a puppet for a bigger game. He knows what Mia means to you.”

The words hit harder than they should. What Mia means to me. Matteo’s move is calculated, a clear shot at the one place I’ve allowed myself to feel exposed. Anger rises like a tide, but I keep my face neutral. Losing control won’t help.

I glance toward the living area, where Mia sits with Bianca. They huddle on the couch, grief clinging to them like a second skin. Bianca stares blankly at her hands, and Mia—my Mia—leans close, murmuring quiet reassurances. The sight of her, fragile but unyielding, pulls at something deep in me.

Leo shifts beside me. “Do you want me to tell her?”

“No,” I say, sharper than I intended. I rein it in, speaking lower. “Not yet. She doesn’t need this weight on her shoulders, not after what she’s been through today. Keep Dominic’s involvement between us for now.”

Leo hesitates, his brows pulling together like he wants to argue, but he knows better. This isn’t about sparing Mia’s feelings.It’s about protecting her focus. If she starts questioning every shadow, every ally, it will break her.

“I’ll keep digging,” Leo says, closing the folder. “We’ll get answers.”

“You’ll bring them to me,” I say firmly. “I’ll decide how this plays out.”

With a nod, Leo steps back, leaving me to stare at the living area once more. Mia’s hand strokes Bianca’s back, her lips moving in soft, comforting words. The sight makes my chest tighten.

I turn toward my study, where the blueprints and plans await my attention. Every step I take feels heavier than the last. Secrets pile up like weights around my neck, but some truths can do more damage than any bullet.

In the study, the air is cooler, quieter. The heavy oak desk is littered with blueprints, maps, and security reports. A steaming cup of espresso sits untouched beside a notepad filled with scribbled plans for retaliation. Every angle I analyze leads back to the same bitter truth—Matteo won’t stop until I force him to.

Leo reenters, his expression grim. “There’s one more thing,” he says, handing me a photo.

I take it, my stomach hardening at the sight. It’s a grainy still from the gala’s security footage, Dominic in a dark suit, his face shadowed but unmistakable. He’s holding the weapon steady, his posture screaming training and precision.

“He didn’t hesitate,” Leo says. “No sign of second-guessing. Whatever Matteo has on him, it’s got him fully under control.”

I set the photo down, leaning forward with my hands on the desk. My mind churns with possibilities. Why Dominic? What leverage does Matteo hold that could turn him into a weapon aimed at his own sister?

“Anything on why he’s doing this?” I ask, keeping my tone steady.

Leo shakes his head. “Not yet. We’re pulling every string we can, but Russo’s good at covering his tracks.” He pauses, his gaze flicking toward the closed door. “What about Mia? She’ll find out eventually, Carlito. Keeping her in the dark—it’s a temporary fix.”

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