Page 30 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

“Charlotte, we need to be more careful. I might have fucked up last night.”

My dad has never sworn in front of me, no matter how old I am. So, this is serious. Whatever went down last night has my dad shaken. If it had to do with the Russo family, I pray it was Lucca and I can talk with him.

“What happened, Dad?”

“Let’s go for a walk. Too many eyes in the waiting room.”

Stepping outside, we walk along a path leading us to a grassy area of the hospital. We sit on a bench and Dad takes my hand in his.

“Pumpkin, I’ve been after the Russo family ever since we moved here. It’s why I was transferred here. I understand he’s a powerful man, but if I can take his son down. It would be so much easier. I only have a limited time to do so. I let it all go to my head last night. I never should’ve done it. I should’ve left Frank behind. I’ll never forgive myself.”

He’s after Lucca. Fear twisted in my gut. If Dad was after Lucca that means, Lucca is after my dad. How did this happen. This isn’t why I came down here. I came to give Dad support because of his partner currently laid in the ICU. Now I’m on the verge of a breakdown, and I can’t give it away to ad about me knowing Lucca. Is Lucca getting close to me again so he can use me for favours? I didn’t seem that way. I don’t think he wants me anywhere near this life.

“Dad, I think we should go back inside if you aren’t going home. We can’t have you walking around wearing bloody clothes in public. I’ll head home and grab you something fresh and come back. Did you eat yet?”

“Don’t worry about me. Go back to work. I’ll be fine. I’ll head home shortly, then come back. I don’t think he’ll be waking anytime soon.”

With that, I head towards the office. I’m still not used to driving to work, trying to find parking is a nightmare. I should’ve gone home and walked to work. When I walk into my office, Oscar is laid back in my chair, feet up on my desk. Music blasting from his phone. He’s singingSo Called Lifeat the top of his lungs. I’m rather enjoying this show. When the songs finished, I clap.

“Beautiful show. Can I get an encore?”

He damn near falls out of the chair trying to straighten himself up. “How much did you see?”

I bounced on the balls of my feet. I laugh. I made a microphone out of my fist, bringing it to my mouth, start mocking him.

“Shut up, I do not sound like that.”

“You do too. I leave for a couple of hours, and you take over my office. What gives?”

He smooths his shirt, clears his throat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been waiting for you all day. How’s your dad doing?”

I shrug. “Good as you expect. I sent him home to change and eat. I don’t think he’ll be leaving the hospital after today.”

“He’ll be okay. He has you.”

“Right, anyway. How about our client we have a meeting with? Did you reschedule or are we still on for one?”

We get back into work mode. Colin is still set to arrive at one, so we have time to arrange everything. I don’t bother taking a lunch, but I demand Oscar to step out and grab something for himself. By the time Oscar returns I’m all set up.

“Wow, Chuck, you actually don’t need me do you.”

I shoo him away. “I still need you, besides you know how this company runs and I don’t.”

“I see, so I’m being used. Got it.” He chuckles.

Exactly at one, Jill knocks on my door. Letting Colin Thompson in. He’s younger than I thought he would be. He’s around my age. I can see a tattoo peaking under the collar of his dress shirt. His grey eyes penetrated me with a look that says he’s in charge. A look that I’ve never seen before. Fear quivers through my muscles.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Colin Thompson. You must be Charlotte Holmes.” He stretched his hand out for me.

Something seems wrong here, yet I can’t place it. I shake his hand before. “Yes, that’s right. This is Oscar Mills, my PA. He’ll be assisting me with your account.”

Even Oscar is hesitant to shake his hand. That’s saying a lot considering who he took joy riding across this city. I can always get Dad to run his name, that’ll put me at ease. If he doesn’t ask questions about why I need him to do it for me, even better.

It’s been three days since I’ve been shot. My shoulder is stiff. It’s nothing new to me. I’ve been shot before and every time it brings the same feelings back, what if it ends the same way and Ade is left behind. I’ll never let my men fight without me though, so it’s always weighing heavy on my mind.

I’m also trying to discover who the newest rat is. It’s one of my soldiers which pisses me off. I try to run a tight ship and knowing my father he’ll be raining down on me soon, he can never stay out of my business. He leaves all the other capos alone, but since I’m the fuckingfiglioof the Don of the mafia. I have more pressure on me than the others. I feel it weighing down on me every day. That’s why I need to catch this asshole before he finds out.

Leaning back in my chair, I run my hand through my hair. I need a new idea. I’ve already laid out a false delivery hoping that would’ve worked. It didn’t go as planned; I need something bigger a well thought out plan. I can only think of three trustworthy men currently that I can ask for help who would never stab me in the back. Reaching for my phone, I open our group chat.

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