Page 63 of Bittersweet Endings
“I know what’s at stake.” His voice was quieter now, but no less fierce. “I know the rules. I know my place. But if you or Lucky think for one second that I’ll stand down when it comes to her, you’re out of your goddamn minds.”
My breath hitched. Al must have said something then. Maybe attempting to reason with him, but Rocco wasn’t having it.
“She’s not just a job,” he said. “Octavia is my family too.”
I swallowed hard. Because I did know. And that terrified me. For once, I felt like I had someone legitimately in my corner, and they didn’t want something from me for it.
Silence stretched, thick with whatever Al was saying. I could hear Rocco’s pacing again, the controlled tension in his breath.
“You thinkI’mreckless? I’ve given my entire life to this family, Al. I will fucking protect her.” Another pause. Another sharp breath through his nose. “But if you’re asking me if I’ll let anything happen to her, I will punch you in the fuckin’ face next time I see you.”
I felt it then, the shift in his tone. A shiver ran down my spine.
“Yeah,” Rocco muttered. “That’s what I thought.”
His footsteps stopped. I pressed myself tighter against the doorframe, hoping he wouldn’t turn towards me, wouldn’t catch me eavesdropping.
Then, his voice softened. Not weaker, just different. But I couldn’t make out his words. “Fine. I’ll do it.” He sighed. “Only because I don’t want to be the reason she gets hurt if the worst happens.”
I barely had a second to move before I heard the click of his phone shutting off. My pulse jumped, and I took a careful step back, ready to slip away before he saw me.
Too late. Rocco turned, his gaze landing on me. His expression shifted, his frustration melting into something unreadable. “How long have you been standing there?”
My mouth went dry. I could lie. Pretend I hadn’t heard anything. But we both knew better. “Long enough,” I said.
His jaw tensed. “Octavia.”
“Whatever they’re telling you to do, you don’t have to listen to them.” My voice was steadier than I expected. “I won’t be a part of whatever they want.”
He let out a slow breath, rubbing a hand down his face before meeting my eyes again. “Yeah, well,” he murmured. “That’s not really up to you.”
I should’ve been angry. Should’ve told him to back off. But the truth settled deep in my chest, heavier than I wanted to admit. Because whether I wanted it or not, Rocco wasn’t going to back down. His future Capo gave an order and he was going to force my hand.
I folded my arms over my chest. “What does Lucky want?”
Rocco exhaled, like he’d been waiting for the question. “He wants you at the compound.”
I narrowed my eyes. “For how long?”
“Until it’s safe.”
Safe.That word meant nothing coming from my family. Safe was a lie they told people when they were about to lock them in a cage. And my entire life had been spent locked in a cage. Where I’d been beaten down, assaulted, and left dying from the inside out.
I shook my head. “Not happening.”
Rocco sighed. “Octavia.”
“No.” I squared my shoulders. “What if I say no?”
His jaw tightened. His eyes darkened. “Then I was told nothing was off the table to ensure I got you there.” The distant off-putting look that consumed him gave me pause.
A chill crept up my spine, but I didn’t let it show. “You going to drag me out of here, Rocco?” I challenged.
He didn’t answer right away. Just stared at me, his gaze calculating. “I don’t want to,” he said finally. “But I will if I have to.”
My pulse spiked, but I didn’t back down. “And what exactly am I being locked away for?”
He hesitated. I caught it instantly.
