Page 40 of Merciless Desires

“If it were just you, I’d say let’s draw them out and handle our shit, but you have to consider Cin.” Romero set the bottle on the table. “Malatesta is going to freak out when word gets out that she was shot at.”

“He has to hear it from one of you,” Rocco said. “If you really feel that strongly for her, and if you want there to be any possibility that you can be together, you have to fix this.”

“Rocco’s right,” Romero said. “I’ll handle Malatesta. You take care of Cin.”

“Is a safe house really necessary?” I asked.

“Malatesta is going to lose his shit when he finds out what happened. If you want to keep his trust, you’re going to have to prove you’re doing everything you can to keep her safe,” Rocco said. “Even then, he might not believe you.”

Romero and I may have been around the block a few times when it came to dealing with the cartel, but Rocco was more experienced when it came to the politics of the mafia families. Romero and I cut ourselves off and branched out on our own after our father died. Rocco was used to negotiating and navigating life as a mobster.

Rocco may have been at a crossroad when it came to understanding that he was biologically a Bilotti, but the Torrios raised him well. Antonio Torrio was heartless and feared by all of the families. Rocco was an asset Romero and I couldn’t deny. Rocco had Bilotti blood running through his veins, but he was created for this world because of the family he grew up with. That made him a threat most didn’t want to make an enemy of. Plus, he was smart and calculated with his fancy law degree.

“I trust Rocco,” I said.

“Good, because you’re going to do exactly what he says.” Romero finished his drink. “And you better make sure that little mafia princess of yours understands how important it is for her to listen to you.”

“I have her under control,” I said.

“Yeah, she just doesn’t know it.” Romero shook his head. “I told you not to fall for her.”

“Fuck off.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Find out for sure who came at me tonight.”

“I will,” Romero said.

“They’re going to pay.”

Chapter Twelve

Cinzia

I gazed out at the afternoon autumn sun as it filled the sky with a positive energy. I needed all the light as I listened to my father for the third time today.

“Cinzia,” he said, raising his voice on the other end of the line. “Are you listening?”

“Yes, Papa, but I don’t know how many times I can tell you I’m fine before you believe me.”

“You were shot at.”

“I survived.”

“Stop acting as if it wasn’t a big deal. No one ever tried to shoot you under my watch.”

“I’m your daughter. I grew up this way. I’m not afraid of what happened last night.” That was the truth. “When the shooting started, I was scared, but then I remembered the guards and Gio were there to protect me.”

“It never should have happened.” He sighed. “I trusted Gio would keep you safe.”

“He did keep me safe. He did everything he could to make sure nothing bad happened to me.” Gio had been protective and brave. He never once lost his cool. “He got me to safety and even took a few shots at the people who were responsible for this.”

My father cursed in Italian.

“We’re in a safe place. His brother Rocco took us to a secure location.”

“Gio almost got you killed.” This time my father was angrier than the last two times I had spoken to him today. The reality of what had happened last night must have settled in and now he didn’t sound as sympathetic toward Gio as he had earlier today. “He will answer for that.”

“This wasn’t his fault, but I think it was mine.”

“I saw the pictures of you and that man at the club,” my father said. “What were you thinking?”

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