Page 38 of The Mafia's Second Shot

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m figuring out the next move. This place isn’t going to keep us safe forever.”

She moves to stand beside the desk, her gaze dropping to the papers scattered across it. “You’re going after Rossi.”

It’s not a question, but I answer anyway. “Yes.”

Her hands tighteninto fists at her sides, her voice trembling as she speaks. “You said this was about keeping us safe. But this... this is about revenge, isn’t it?”

“It’s not just revenge,” I say firmly, standing to face her. “It’s about ending this. For good. Rossi isn’t going to stop, Zoey. You know that as well as I do.”

“And what if it gets you killed?” she demands, her eyes flashing with anger. “What happens to us then?”

“I’m not going to let that happen,” I reply, my tone steady. “I’ve thought this through. I know what I’m doing.”

“You always think you know what you’re doing,” she snaps, her voice breaking. “But this isn’t just about you anymore, Cooper. This is about us. About what happens if you’re gone.”

Her words hit harder than I want to admit, and I take a step closer, my voice softening. “Zoey, I’m doing this for us. For you.”

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “You’re doing this because it’s the only thing you know how to do. Fight, protect, destroy. But have you even thought about what comes after?”

Her question hangs in the air, heavy and unanswerable. I don’t know what comes after. I’ve never let myself think that far ahead.

“Cooper,”she says, her voice quieter now. “I need to know that you’re not just fighting to end this cycle. I need to know you’re fighting for a future. Forourfuture.”

I reach for her hand, threading my fingers through hers. “I am. I swear I am. But to have that future, Rossi has to be taken out. You know that.”

Her eyes search mine, tears glistening but not falling. “I just don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t,” I say, my voice breaking slightly. “I won’t let that happen.”

She takes a shaky breath, leaning into me as I pull her close. I hold her tightly, her warmth grounding me in a way nothing else can.

“We’ll get through this,” I promise. “Together.”

The moment is interruptedby the buzz of my phone on the desk. I step back reluctantly, picking it up and seeing Marco’s name on the screen.

“What is it?” I ask, my tone sharper than I intend.

“We’ve got a problem,” Marco replies, his voice grim. “Rossi’s picked up a trail leading to one of the scattered factions. He’s moving fast, Cooper. We don’t have much time.”

My grip tightens on the phone, my mind already racing. “Where?”

“Southside,” he says. “A warehouse we used to run shipments through. It’s not heavily guarded—they’ll be sitting ducks if Rossi gets there first.”

“I’ll handle it,” I say, my jaw clenching. “Get as much backup as you can, but tell them to stay out of sight until I give the signal.”

“Understood,” Marco replies. “And Cooper... be careful.”

I hang up and turn back to Zoey, her face pale but determined. “You’re going, aren’t you?” she asks.

“I have to,” I say. “If Rossi gets his hands on that faction, it’s over.”

She steps closer, her hand resting lightly on my arm. “Promise me you’ll come back.”

“I promise,” I say, though the words feel heavier than they should.

Her eyes bore into mine, and I can see the fear she’s trying to hide. “Then go. Do what you have to do.”

I nod, pressing a kiss to her forehead before grabbing my gear and heading for the door. As I step outside, the cold mountain air hits me like a slap, but it’s not enough to distract me from what’s ahead.

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