Page 67 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

BANG! BANG!

Two shots rang out through the freezing night. I froze. The men next to Alphonse dropped to the ground. Without hesitation, I sprinted instantly, charging him before he could react. I grasped his collar and marched him backwards to the edge of the building. He scowled with a smile on his face.

I shook him, pressing his back into the sharpness of the concrete ledge. “Look familiar?” I pulled the rosary from my pocket. Holding it up, I allowed it to dangle over his face, resting it on his forehead. “You will never hurt her again!”

He opened his mouth, but I hurled my fist forward, striking him in the mouth. His head bobbed several times, cracking against the barrier twice. Blood oozed from his mouth, and he smiled, licking his lips. “You’re new at this.”

“I just want you to suffer.” I drew my fist back and jabbed his nose twice.

His eyes rolled back, and his body went limp. I slapped his cheek three times. “Wake up, mother fucker!” I glanced back over my shoulder at Nick. “I know he’s not dead yet.”

“Watch o—”

“Oof!” I fell back, hitting the cement flooring.

Alphonse hovered over me. Blood trickled off his jaw, landing on the front of my suit. He leaned over me, grabbing my neck. Joey took a step forward, but I stuck my arm out, flashing him my palm. I had been in so many fights in my life that I had the ability to remain calm and in control. I knew Alphonse would punch me. I had counted it. He heaved his fist back and swung at my face. At the last second, I rolled my head over and he hit the cement roof.

“Get off me!” I grabbed his chest and pushed him backwards. I jumped to my feet and unbuttoned my jacket, tossing it on the ground.

He backed up once again, until he bumped into the waist-high lip of the edge. I reached up to my chin, wiping the blood away from my mouth with the back of my hand. His gaze widened suddenly, then turned into a glower instantly.

“YOU MARRIED MY DAUGHTER?!”

“I did.” I took a step closer to him. “So, I guess you weren’t watching us as good as you thought.”

He marched at me. “YOU PIECE OF—”

I sprung forward, connecting my knuckles to his face. Without mercy, I jabbed him with each hand repeatedly until he hung back off the edge of the building. I grabbed his throat, squeezing. Nick rushed over and grabbed his wrist. Joey waltzed over and gripped the other. They sprawled his arms out, pinning them down. I yanked Alphonse’s coat open and took his gun from its holster.

I titled my head. “You ordered your own son to kill your daughter because she wants to be with me.”

His face was unrecognizable. He bobbed his head until he made eye contact with Nick. “Dis…appoint…ing.”

“Hang him over the edge.” I commanded.

They lifted Alphonse and spun him around, dangling him off the edge of the building. His pained groan turned to panic. I stepped up on the ledge, gazing down on his helpless body. I cocked his gun and aimed it down at his face. He stared at me, terrified.

Without much effort, I had managed to take control over the most powerful crime boss in the city. A malevolent grin etched on my face, and I studied the wedding band on my ring finger. Remain humble even in the toughest decision. My mother’s words replayed once again in my mind. My father-in-law’s life was in my hands.

My wife was now the most important woman in the world to me. She was the only person I would ever humble myself for. She had given me a reason to change the dynamic of the families. And it started with ending the life of an abusive father. As I narrowed my gaze on the center of Alphonse Barone’s forehead, I grinned. He opened his mouth to speak.

“Drop him.”

BANG!

I pulled the trigger just after they let go.

18

ONE YEAR LATER

It had been a year since we married, and our fathers’ hate had gotten them killed. It turned out Sofia’s uncle had not been murdered by anyone in my family. Her father had him killed to set a trap and example to others within their family. A trap Sofia would never understand. Though she was a closer part of my world now, she still did not understand why killing was necessary. It was what made our dynamic perfect. She was the balance my world required to keep us from turning into monsters. She never offered a harsh tone toward me if I had to leave in the night or came home with blood on my clothes. She was there to offer me the emotional support I needed.

Instead of merging our families, Nick had taken over for his deceased father. Only three men argued the newfound peace. They were killed. They had been brainwashed by Alphonse and were not capable of any peaceful arrangement. Though Nick and I ran separate crime families, we were allies now. The other three families in New York were intimidated as we rose to power, more feared than our fathers ever were.

Bellagio was given a proper funeral and I covered the costs. His wife and children were devastated and a part of me wondered if that was what my future would look like. Our fathers were also given formal funerals. Though they were both terrible men, we still respected them enough to bury them. They were still loved by many, just not us. Over the past year, I had not regretted it once. I would do it all over again to anyone who hurt my wife in any way.

Sofia and I moved to Manhasset on Long Island, about an hour from the city. It kept me close enough to conduct any business, but far enough away that we were able to enjoy the suburban life. Our home was a stately and stunning five-bedroom English Tudor, offering picturesque park-like views of the almost two-acre estate. Recent stylish and chic updates blended old world charm with a sophisticated transitional flair. Protected by a large stone wall and a front wrought iron gate hidden by privacy trees, we felt secure and closed off from the world. Sofia had fallen in love with the decor while I cared more about the privacy the estate offered.

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