Page 60 of The Mafia's Second Shot

“You’ve already been doing it,” I say. “You handled the aftermath of Rossi better than I could have. The crew listens to you. They respect you. Hell, even Zoey trusts you, and she doesn’t trust anyone.”

A faint smile flickers across his face, but it’s gone just as quickly. “It’s a lot of responsibility, Cooper. This isn’t just running operations—it’s making decisions that affect lives.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I snap, the weight of my own choices pressing down on me. “I’ve lived it for years, Marco. And I’m telling you—you’re ready.”

He leans forward,resting his elbows on his knees. “What happens if I screw up?”

“You won’t,” I say firmly. “And even if you do, I’ll be here to help during the transition. I’m not disappearing overnight. This is about setting things up for the long haul.”

Marco exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. “You really mean this.”

“I do,” I say. “It’s time.”

The room falls silent,the only sound the faint hum of the machines monitoring my vitals. Marco studies me for a moment before nodding slowly. “All right. I’ll do it.”

Relief washes over me, but it’s tempered by the gravity of the decision. “Good. The crew will back you. They already do.”

“And what about you?” Marco asks. “What happens to you?”

I glance out the window, my mind drifting to Zoey. “I’ve got someone worth building a future with. It’s time I start doing that.”

Marco grins, leaning back in his chair. “Never thought I’d see the day. Cooper, the family man.”

“Don’t get used to it,” I reply, though there’s no bite in my tone. “I’ll still be around to kick your ass if you need it.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Marco says, standing. “And Cooper? Thanks. For trusting me with this.”

I nod, my chest tightening with emotions I can’t quite name. “Don’t make me regret it.”

That evening,Zoey arrives with her usual grace, her presence filling the room like sunlight after a storm. She sets a small bag on the table and sits beside me, her eyes scanning my face.

“You look better,” she says softly, her hand brushing against mine. “Did Marco stop by?”

“He did,” I reply. “We talked.”

Her gaze sharpens slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “About what?”

“About the future,” I say, keeping my tone deliberately vague.

Zoey arches an eyebrow. “And?”

“And I’ve made a decision,” I say, meeting her gaze. “But I’m not ready to share it just yet.”

Her lips press into a thin line, her curiosity clearly piqued, but she doesn’t push. “You’re going to keep me in suspense, aren’t you?”

“For now,” I admit, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “But trust me—it’s a good one.”

She sighs, though there’s a hint of amusement in her expression. “Fine. I’ll let you have your moment. For now.”

As the night settles in,I watch Zoey move around the room, her presence grounding me in a way I never thought possible. For the first time in years, the weight on my shoulders feels lighter, the path ahead clearer. I’ve made my decision, and for the first time in a long time, it feels like the right one.

And I know, without a doubt, that whatever comes next, I’ll have her by my side.

43

ZOEY

The soft hum of the city filters through the open car window as Cooper drives, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the console between us. The tension of the past few weeks feels like a distant memory as we move through a quieter part of town, the chaos of our old lives temporarily replaced by a fragile peace.

---