Page 107 of Third Degree

They looked at both of us and then quickly left as fast as they came. Too slow, fuckers.

“Nope. She wanted to celebrate herhusband’sbirthday at his new club. She was excited for me.” I tried my best not to get choked up at this next part. “Carlo shot her in the shoulder. I found her in the corner, bleeding out. The bullet splintered in her muscle, and she had to undergo surgery. She’s unconscious to manage her pain while she recovers in the hospital currently.”

His hands immediately went up to his face in shock and disgust, but I continued.

“This happened because of a hit thatyouput out. You almost killed your daughter, and for what?” I leaned on the table so my eyes remained locked with his as he began to tear up. “Just so that you can gain control of the club that you decided to shoot down?”

Then, I grabbed the photos of Gianna’s wounds. “You shot and almost killed your own flesh and blood,” I spat out.

“Elio, I didn’t mean—”

“Of course you didn’t. You have said that before. Does your wife know?”

He shook his head.

“Please,” he practically begged me for my silence. “What do you want?”

I leaned back in the chair. I wanted to give Gianna everything on a platter but kept her words stuck in the back of my mind. When she was better, she would decide what her relationship with her parents would be. What her relationship with her cousin would be like.

On the other hand, I knew what I wanted.

“The deal is dead. After you attempted to kill your daughter and shot up your own asset, it’s gone. The Gambini family will no longer be dealing with the Ricci family on any business laundering throughout clubs.”

His mouth opened to speak, but I quickly stopped him.

“My sons will not be laundering even a penny of your money. Not after what you put us through as a family,” I continued. “Shame on you for putting your daughter in the hands of your enemy and then letting him go. Shame on you for not getting her help. Shame on you for putting the business first.”

“Elio Marchetti. I need you to think with your brain, not with your heart,” Angelo seethed from the other side of the chair.

“I am,” I retorted quickly. “In fact, I know you will want to retaliate after all of this again, but come after me or my fucking wife, and I promise you your entire family will be buried six feet under where Carlo is currently decaying in my club.”

This time, Angelo banged on the wooden desk and mumbled something about returning the body to them.

“All those years ago, that man was having an affair with my wife,” Angelo confessed, his tone softening slightly.

“I am sorry, Ricci, but that isn’t an excuse for using your daughter as a pawn. Family comes first. Always.”

“Not in our lifestyle.”

I was pissed now, after everything I had done to put my own family first with Bea and the boys. I had always put Gianna first.

“That is where you are wrong,” I snapped with renewed fervor. “Our culture and traditions were based on family. You have strayed from them, and your empire is crumbling underneath you because of it.” I looked at him pointedly. “I have always kept them and look where I am now. I have a beautiful wife and a family, and ultimately, I’m winning in business because you tried to take us down. We have won.”

“Your club was shot up,” he retorted sourly, his lips curled in a disgusted sneer.

“We will rebuild. Ricardo will rebuild,” I confessed. “I am retiring from the family. I would like to live my retirement with my wife in peace. What she wants to do about you will be her own free choice she will make when she wakes up.”

I started to stand up, staring him down.

“I think you will find these terms quite satisfactory then, yes?”

“Elio, please. We don’t have another way to launder—”

“Not my problem.” I adjusted my shirt as I rose. “But in case you were wondering, your daughter is still in the hospital, so I need to get back to my wife now.”

Piece of shit was always thinking about the business. Yes, he conceded to the deal, but it was and would always be about the Mafia first. Family second.

“One last thing,” I added before opening the door to leave. “Your wife will visit us at least once a year… alone.”

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