Page 37 of Ruthless Mafia Boss 3: Vino and Claire

Amadeo’s expression darkened. “Claire, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.” His voice dipped lower, deadlier. “If you need her handled, just blink twice, and it will be done.”

A single tear slipped down my cheek.

“Oh no.” I waved my hands franticly.

“I’ll be all right,” I whispered, lying again.

His jaw clenched, and I could see the restraint in him, the barely contained rage simmering just beneath the surface. Amadeo wanted blood on my behalf.

“Thanks for looking out for me,” I murmured. “I don’t have many people in my corner…” My voice cracked, but I forced down the wave of emotion.

“Can you order lunch? For you, Renato, and me?”

I knew Angelo probably sent lunch for me. But I wanted the guys to order whatever they wanted to eat.

“Of course,” he said without hesitation. Then, before leaving, he met my gaze and added, “Just so you know, Claire, Renato and I will always protect you. And we have no problem taking people out.”

Then he turned and walked out of the building, just like that.

I sat frozen, my mouth slightly open, a strange warmth washing over me. Protection. Loyalty. Things I had lost faith in. Yet, no matter how much I wanted to believe I was safe, the fear never left me.

He and his men wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter my private security without a second thought. They’d do it with the same cruel efficiency as they had before.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling shakily. Maybe it was a blessing that I hadn’t heard from Vino. Maybe he had finally given up on me. Good. I couldn’t risk his life.

Every night, I woke drenched in sweat, haunted by the nice Uber driver who died simply because he took me to the bus station. He hadn’t even known where I was going. But Ivan had killed him, anyway.

And the clerk at the shipping store.

More innocent blood spilled because of me.

Secrets I carried alone.

Gia was untouchable, thank God. I still hadn’t told her what Ivan did to me. I couldn’t let her go to war for me.

But now, as I sat in my office, heart hammering in my chest, a terrible thought took root.

Would I have to let go of my business?

Would I have to walk away from my life again?

CHAPTER EIGHT

VINO

Going a week without contact with Claire wasn’t part of the plan. But with the war against the Santons still raging, I had my hands full. Claire had made it clear she didn’t want anything serious, so I backed off somewhat. She was still mine. Yeah, yeah, I knew it was crazy to call her my woman when she didn’t want a relationship. Guess you could say I was speaking it into existence.

Michelangelo hadn’t been too pleased with the package I’d mailed him after his men had the audacity to tell me right to my face that my territory now belonged to the Santons.

I was in my warehouse, grinding meat, when the call came in.

Xavier tapped the green button and put the phone on speaker, since my hands were occupied.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Vino, what the fuck were you thinking, sending a gift like that to my home?” Michelangelo’s voice exploded through the speaker.

A slow smirk curled my lips. “I think the package tells the story. You sent men into my territory. They stood in front of me and said it was yours. Not to mention, they lacked even a shred of respect for a boss.”

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