Page 119 of Massimo

Sile steps in, the peacekeeper out of us, and hands Pix a handkerchief to clean off her knife. Then, he offers to inspect and bandage Fletch and Russ's wounds.

The other factions resume their mingling for this odd criminal 'team building' event.

Gemma and I head directly over to Gabe and Vito, andZioMarco joins us. But my focus is on Gabe. The more I study him, the more my anxiety spikes. Vito wraps his hand around my nape, twisting us so our backs are to the room.

"I need you to stay calm, brother," he says into my ear. I'm certain this has to do with Nova; otherwise, Vito and Gabe would be speaking freely aroundZioMarco.

And that realization makes my anxiety spike through thefuckingroof.

Gabe's face is grim. "Someone tried to breach the gates." It takes everything in me not to react; it feels like every eye in the room is boring into my back. "An autonomous vehicle rammed the gates and was loaded with explosives. They didn't get in," he reassures me.

"Any casualties?"Zioasks, and Gabe shakes his head.

Gemma exchanges a look with me.

Nova's safe.I try to calm my hammeringheart.

I nod curtly, knowing there's something else. "And?"

Vito's hand tightens on the back of my neck. "Vincenzo Pisani just arrived. He's withMamma,Creed, and Sophie at your house."

Mother. Fucker.

Chapter 49

Massimo

Gabe,Gemma,andIrace back to my house. Vito tookZioMarco in his car, knowing that I'd need to speak freely.

As soon as we were in the car, I called Jerome.

"Can you speak freely, Jerome?"

"Yes, I stepped into your office, but I don't want to leave our guests unattended for too long."

"Is Nova okay?" I demand, knowing she must be terrified that her father would get his hands on her again, and hating that I'm not there.

"She's shaken. We could hear the explosion at the gate from the house. I initiated protocol immediately to get her to the safe room. She's still in there."

I relax, reminding myself that no one outside of Gabe and Jerome knows about that room. I had it—and the others around the house—built with my future family in mind in case of an emergency.

"And Vincenzo?" I growl.

"I'm not sure why he's in the city or with your family, sir."

"I need you to go out and monitor the situation, Jerome."

"Of course."

"Once I get home, I need you to hide any presence of Nova in our bedroom and the ensuite."

"I understand, sir."

"But right now, I need you to give your phone to Nova."

I hear Jerome move through my office and unlock the hidden door. "Miss Nova?" His tone is gentle. "Massimo is on the phone."

There's the sound of Jerome handing the phone over before he latches the door. Then I hear Nova's voice, and something inside me rips open.

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