Page 13 of The Mafia's Second Shot

He looks away, his hands clenching into fists on the desk. “You don’t understand how dangerous it was,” he says finally. “How dangerous it still is.”

“Then make me understand,” I snap. “You’re so determined to protect me, but you won’t even tell me what you’re protecting me from. How is that fair?”

“It’s not about fairness,” he says, his voice rising. “It’s about keeping you alive.”

I shake my head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t get to make that decision for me. You’re treating me like a possession, like something fragile that needs to be locked away instead of someone who can make their own choices.”

His eyes flash with anger. “I’m treating you like someone I can’t afford to lose.”

The words hang in the air, heavy and suffocating. I take a step back, my chest tightening.

“This isn’t love, Cooper,” I say quietly. “This is control.”

His expression hardens, the vulnerability from last night replaced by a wall of steel. “If that’s how you feel, then go,” he says, his voice cold. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I stare at him, waiting for him to take it back, to soften. But he doesn’t. He just looks at me, his jaw set, his eyes daring me to leave.

“Fine,” I say, my voice trembling. “I will.”

I head backto my room, my emotions churning as I grab my bag and throw it onto the bed. I don’t care that it’s reckless. I don’t care that I’ll be walking straight into danger. I won’t stay here, locked in a gilded cage, waiting for Cooper to decide what’s best for me.

As I zip my bag shut, I hear a commotion outside. Raised voices. Heavy footsteps. And then, a sound that freezes me in place.

Gunshots.

My heart leaps into my throat as I rush to the window, my hands trembling as I pull back the curtain. The gates at the edge of the estate are surrounded by men—some of Cooper’s, and others I don’t recognize. One of them fires a shot, and another shouts an order, the words lost in the chaos.

The door to my room bursts open, and Cooper is there, his face pale but determined.

“Stay here,” he says, his voice sharp and commanding. “No matter what happens, don’t leave this room.”

“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“They’re here,” he says, his jaw tightening. “And they’re not leaving without a fight.”

Before I can respond, he’s gone, the door slamming shut behind him. I sink onto the edge of the bed, my chest heaving as the sounds of the fight echo through the air.

10

COOPER

The crack of gunfire echoes through the estate, shattering the stillness of the night. I bark orders into my earpiece, my voice cold and controlled, even as adrenaline surges through my veins.

“Secure the perimeter. Keep them off the main house at all costs. I want updates every sixty seconds.”

The response comes back swift and clipped: “Yes, boss.”

I slam the door to Zoey’s room open, finding her standing in the middle of the room, clutching her bag like it’s a lifeline. Her eyes are wide, her body tense, but when she sees me, something like relief flickers across her face.

“Stay here,” I command, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone but me.”

“Cooper—” she starts, her voice trembling.

“No,” I cut her off. “This isn’t up for debate, Zoey. Do as I say.”

Her lips press into a thin line, but she nods. I don’t have time to argue with her—not when there are men outside my gates tryingto kill us. I pull the door shut behind me and head toward the main hall, my steps quick and purposeful.

The sounds of the attack grow louder as I approach the front of the house. The sharp crack of gunfire, the shouts of my men, the low rumble of vehicles. I reach for my sidearm, my fingers tightening around the familiar weight of it.

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