Page 80 of Vicious Heir

I’ve known him all my life. He was one of my father’s top lieutenants and most trusted Capos. Frank taught me how to throw a curveball when I was eleven. He was there for all my most important milestones. My father trusted Frank with his life, and the old bastard tried to kill me.

He was right. I’ve been too soft.

There will not be any leniency for those who turned their backs on me.

This whole city is going to burn to the ground when I’m done getting my revenge.

Chapter 28

Lucy

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Adriano says as Luca helps him to the couch.

I stare at my husband’s bloody shirt. He’s got a bandage shoved against his side, and it’s drenched and sticky. Luca looks almost as bad, though I think the blood on him is from someone else.

“What happened?” I ask, unable to move. Fear keeps me stuck in place. I’ve never seen so much blood before in my life.

“Ambush,” Luca says, his face hard. Then his voice softens almost to a whisper. “I should check the guys on duty and make sure none of them are loyal to Frank.”

“Take care of it.” Adriano nods at him, and Luca strides off.

My husband leans back. For a moment, his eyes flutter shut. His face is pale, and he’s clearly in a lot of pain. I’ve never seen this kind of violence before in all my life. Even though my parents were addicts and constantly getting into trouble, they never crossed the line into physical abuse.

I’ve been sheltered. Money and privilege all but guaranteed I’d never see anything like this in my life.

But I married a violent man. I knew it the moment I first saw him. And even though he’s a nightmare and a killer, I still want him, and I still need him right now.

I force myself to move. I’m not Lucy Willing-Morris anymore.

I’m Lucy Marino, the Don’s wife, and I have to be strong for him.

“How bad is it?” I say, rushing to his side.

“Not too bad.” He glances at me and smiles a little. “You look worried.”

“You’re shot.” I gently move his hand and look beneath the towel. There’s a single wound there. “Oh my god, Adriano. You need a hospital.”

“The doctor’s on his way.”

“You need an operation.”

“Then we’ll do it here.”

“This is insane. Adriano?—”

“No hospitals,” he says sharply, staring at me hard. “Listen to me carefully. Frank tried to kill me today, and he might try again. We’re all in danger until we find him. Until then, we’re staying here in the house where I can make sure you’re safe.”

My heart races into my throat. Frank tried to kill him? The old Capo did this? But Frank seemed so kind and loyal, or at least he was always nice to me the few times I met him.

I try to imagine Frank shooting Adriano and find it almost impossible to believe.

But this is his world. Adriano’s life is blood and bullets. If I’m going to survive it and become a sharper, stronger version of myself for him, I have to trust him first.

“What can I do?” I ask, desperate to help him.

He only smiles and takes my hand. “Sit with me. Talk to me while we wait.”

“Should I tell you a story?” I ask, feeling giddy with terror. I can’t believe this is happening right now. My husband’s bleeding on the couch, and one of his most trusted advisors wants him dead.

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