Page 59 of The Mafia's Second Shot

“He is,” Cooper replies without hesitation. “He always has been.”

I study him for a moment, trying to read his expression. “You trust him to handle it?”

He looks at me then, his gaze steady but unreadable. “I do.”

The weight of his words settles over me, confirming what I’ve suspected. “You’re stepping back, aren’t you?”

Cooper doesn’t answer right away. When he does, his voice is quiet. “I’m thinking about it.”

My chest tightens,a mix of relief and uncertainty washing over me. “What does that mean for us?”

“It means,” he says, reaching for my hand, “that I’m making room for a life I never thought I’d have. For us.”

His words are a promise, one that sends a wave of warmth through me despite the uncertainty. I nod, squeezing his hand. “Whatever you decide, I’m with you.”

He smiles faintly, the lines of exhaustion on his face softening. “I know.”

As I sit with him, the future feels like a distant horizon—unfolding slowly, beautifully, and filled with possibilities I’m finally starting to believe in.

42

COOPER

The hospital room feels smaller today, the four walls closing in on me as I stare out the window. The sunlight reflects off the glass of the neighboring buildings, the world outside bustling with a normalcy I can’t quite grasp. I shift slightly in the bed, wincing as the movement pulls at the stitches in my side.

My recovery is going better than the doctors expected, but I can’t shake the weight pressing down on me. It’s not just the physical pain—it’s the realization of how close I came to losing everything. Zoey, Marco, the crew... they all deserve more than the constant shadow of danger that follows me.

And maybe I do too.

Later that afternoon,Marco arrives, stepping into the room with his usual confidence. He pulls up a chair beside the bed, his sharp eyes scanning me like he’s assessing whether I’m fit for duty.

“You’re looking better,” he says, crossing his arms. “You might even pass for alive.”

“Thanks,” I reply dryly. “Your bedside manner is inspiring.”

He grins, but it fades quickly, replaced by a more serious expression. “How are you really feeling?”

“Like I got stabbed,” I say, leaning back against the pillows. “But I’m alive. That’s what counts.”

Marco nods, his gaze dropping to the floor. “You scared the hell out of us, you know.”

“Not as much as I scared myself,” I admit, my voice quieter now.

The conversation shifts,the air growing heavier as I motion for him to close the door. “We need to talk,” I say, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Marco raises an eyebrow but complies, shutting the door before returning to his seat. “What’s on your mind?”

I take a deep breath, the words heavier than I expect. “I’m stepping down.”

Marco blinks, clearly caught off guard. “What?”

“You heard me,” I say, meeting his gaze. “I’m handing over leadership. To you.”

He leans back in the chair, his arms crossed tightly. “You’re serious.”

“I’ve never been more serious,” I reply. “This life... it’s taken too much. From me, from everyone around me. I can’t do it anymore, Marco. I don’t want to.”

Marco isquiet for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “And you think I’m the guy to take over?”

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