Page 66 of His Broken Queen

“Ever since he came into our lives, we’ve had nothing but problems. We were thriving as the lead mafia family before him. Now, we can’t move our products.”

“That’s not his fault.”

“How would you know? Does he discuss his business with you?”

“No, but your family went after him, and I was there for that. Anything he had to do to retaliate should have been expected.”

“That might have been true from a business standpoint.”

When he glared at me, I couldn’t find any traces of the man I used to know. He had always frightened me, but I never really thought he would hurt me. Even when he held me hostage a few months ago, I didn’t believe he would harm me, but I didn’t have that confidence today. I didn’t believe he would let Romero have another shot at saving me.

I would have to save myself this time.

“If this isn’t about business, what is it about?” I eyed the knives inside the wooden block on the counter. “What are you trying to get back at Romero for?”

“That man has destroyed my family.” When he walked around the kitchen island, I inched closer to the knives. “My mother left, my father is not as powerful as he once was, and Rocco…fuck! I don’t even know who he is. He was a Torrio and now…”

“That’s not Romero’s fault.” I backed up until I was in front of the knives. “That was your mother’s secret. She destroyed your family.”

“But your husband helped reveal that secret.”

“Because you backed him into a corner. If you didn’t take me that day, Romero wouldn’t have had to come for me. Once you realized your alliance wasn’t going to work, you should have left us alone. Your family is the one who screwed up. You went after a man you couldn’t bring down.”

“Myfamily? You’re a Torrio too.”

“Now I’m a Torrio? When it’s convenient for you? I was never part of your family until you needed me to marry Romero.” My heart raced with anticipation. Each time he turned away from me, I made a move for a knife, but he would quickly turn back around, leaving me no choice but to abandon my plan. “I’m a Bilotti.”

“Then we’ll make sure that’s what it says on your headstone. If I have my way, they will put the wordtraitorunder it.”

“I’m not a traitor.” I clenched my fist. “I chose the right side.”

“You chose the side that will get you killed.” He paced the kitchen. “Because of you, I’ve lost everything. Your husband is making a power play that will destroy my family’s reign. Romero needs to feel the pain of losing you. That will be the only way I’ll bring him down.”

“He’ll become more ruthless than ever if you kill me. He’ll never stop coming for you.”

“Not if he doesn’t know it was me who did it. All I want to do is break him, and then bring him down. I’ll succeed where my father couldn’t. I’ll be the one to end him, and take my rightful place at the top. I will not allow Romero to take control of the city.”

“He’s smart. He’ll figure out it was you.”

“Like he figured out what happened in his own house?” He ran his hand through his hair. “You had to flee to the penthouse because your strong, powerful husband couldn’t stop an attack in his own house, much less figure out who the hell the attacker is.”

“What are you saying?” I glanced at the cookbook as a harsh revelation came over me. “You have been here before.”

“I knew you could figure it out.” A grin crossed his smug, twisted face. “See, you are a smart girl. Too bad you’re never going to become that attorney you so desperately want to be.”

“Stella? No.” I closed my eyes, fighting back the tears. “I don’t believe you’re capable of that.”

“You don’t know me very well, do you?” He leaned against the island, with his back toward me. “Of course, I didn’t expect Stella to be here that night.”

A burning sensation took over my body. Something that I had never experienced before.

Is this rage?I was blinded by it. Almost as if a white, painful light flashed in front of me. All I could think about was grabbing the knife and plunging it deep inside him.

“She was an added bonus.” He relaxed his stance as he spoke of that night. He was too casual. Like her life didn’t matter. “I thought I would take out a guard or two as a warning. I figured a breach in Romero’s security system would be enough to throw him off balance.”

“Why?” That night all came back to me. My chest tightened and I couldn’t catch my breath. “Why her?”

“Stella was on her way in the house with your birthday cake.” He tilted his head to the side. “I was overlooked on the guest list for your party the night before. Rocco and Sandro weren’t.”

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