Page 15 of Massimo

I've had enough lessons. I had a goddamn PhD in the art and science of avoiding a monster's wrath.

Gabe probably thinks I'm daft. Maybe not quite right in the head.

A bubble of hysteria swells within me. It wants to burst free in maniac laughter, but it comes out as a single choked sob. I hang my head to stop Gabe from fully witnessing my pain and fear.

There's only silence, and I can feel him studying me. Then his footsteps sound on the stone floor, and I hear the door shut, then lock. Another choked sob bursts free. I know I'm likely being watched on a camera, but I couldn't hold the tears at bay if I wanted to.

Sliding down the wall, I pull my knees to my chest and huddle in as tightly as possible for warmth and to hide.

Then, I break.

Chapter 7

Massimo

Eachchokedsobmakesmy chest clench, but I force myself to ignore that as I watch the princess break. I don't feel pity—that's not what this is. I'm watching this to remind myself that she is a fucking world-class actress.

She knew she'd be watched, and she put on the performance of her life. Standing ovation.

Mancini has trained her well.

Growing up, my brothers and I were always beside my father, under his training and tutelage. Even Creed, who had decided at a young age he didn't want the mafioso life and dedicated his path to growing and expanding our empire's non-mafia parts. Even though Creed wasn't by our father's side while he groomed Vito and me for our mafia roles, he had a different education fromPapàon the business side of things.

The men my brothers and I are today is because of Tommaso Santoro and what we learned from him.

I continue to watch the princess in my cold basement, unable to look away. The live feed of her is more potent than the still-frame pictures. Unable to look away, I watch her until her tears have stopped, and she stares at the wall. Her expression and eyes are shuttered like before; she's had practice keeping her thoughts off her face. Another check in the box that Mancini has trained her well in his image, to be a snake hiding in the grass, just like him.

My door opens, and Gabe walks in. He's just returned from taking Gemma to my family's estate.

I mute the sound on Nova's security feed as he sets a plate with a large piece of orange ricotta cake on my desk.

"Mammaand Sophie baking again?" I guess.

"Yep. Regardless of Sophie saying she wouldn't be Suzy Homemaker for the mob…" He points at the dessert, and I laugh.

Gabe sits across from me and glances at the back of the monitor on my desk. He knows what I'm doing. Even before stealing the Mancini Princess, I couldn't resist falling down a rabbit hole and looking at her. Back then, it was the photos; now, with a live feed of her, I can't get enough.

His dark eyes shift back to me. "Gina asked why you didn't come over with Gemma."

"I'm the Don." I lean back and interlink my hands over my stomach. I've taken off my suit jacket and vest. Gabe is one of the only ones who sees me this 'casual.' "I have lots on my plate."

"How is the prep for tomorrow's meeting at Gilly's going?" He looks worried, and for good reason.

In our world, the bar Gilly's is no man's turf, neutral territory, and Gilly's owner-operator and all the staff must remain impartial and unbiased. No relationshipsof any kindwith any criminal. Eden was Gilly's owner-operator, and she and Vito had crossed a forbidden line. An altered version of the story would be told at the upcoming meeting with San Francisco's criminal faction leaders for their vote, though. The vote is to allow Eden to step down as Gilly's owner-operator, and for her and Vito to go unpunished. I've been calling in every favor to ensure the vote goes how we want. And if it doesn't, Eden's adoptive father would get them out of this city to save their lives, but we'd still lose Vito.

"I still have a few leaders to meet to remind them they owe the Santoros and call in those favors."

Movement on the silent security monitor pulls my eyes to it. Nova is moving around the room, with her arms wrapped around her for warmth. I watch as she goes to the attached room and turns on the light.She looks in, seeing that it's only a toilet. Everything else, even the toilet seat, has been removed. There are no weapons of any kind there.

She backs out but leaves the light on.

When I look up, Gabe is watching me. "Are you sure about your approach here, Mass?"

Fucking Gemma. What the hell has gotten into her?

My cousin can be as merciless as the rest of us, so I have no idea why she has such a goddamn soft spot for this viper. And, of course, Gemma would use Gabe to try to sway me.

Not that he's easily manipulated; which means if he's bringing this up, he, himself, has some concerns.

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