Page 56 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

I laugh turning so I can see her. I tickle her sides. “I don’t think so, miss. You won’t sleep later tonight if you sleep now.”

She squeals when I don’t stop. “U-Uncle!” she yells out.

“What.” I hear three voices yell from the kitchen answer her.

I laugh with her when I stop. “Lucky you, come on let’s go see what everyone is up to.”

“Piggyback ride?”

I sit so she can climb on my back, wrapping her legs around my stomach. Her hands hang loosely around my neck. Walking into the kitchen I see everyone is here except Scar. Guess she’s still pissed off with me. I let out a deep exhale. I should know she doesn’t get over shit easily, especially within hours. It’ll be days or weeks before I hear from her again. I feel eyes on me, and I scan the room and find my familiar brown eyes I love so much, sitting at the table. I give Lucca a small smile.

“Hi Daddy, look how tall I am.”

“I can seePrincipessa.”

I set her down, and she runs back into the living room most likely to finish her show. All the guys look solemn, whatever they have to say won’t be good. Taking a seat next to Lucca he places his palm on my thigh giving me a gentle squeeze.

“Charlotte.” Antonio looks at me from the opposite side of the table. Full name, this isn’t good.

“Yes, Tony.” I’ll use his nickname. Maybe he’ll go easier on me.

“Scarlett wanted me to tell you she’ll still represent you but will no longer be talking to you directly. She’ll be passing everything through her PA. Since you don’t technically have to be there for anything, it doesn’t affect you.” He looks at me with sorrow in his eyes.

In the meantime, my heart is breaking. I look up at the ceiling when my eyes sting with tears. Lucca squeezes my thigh again.

“She also wanted me to tell you. That you ruined her trust in you. She said other shit, but I’m not going to say it. I’m truly sorry, Charlie.”

Tears stream down my face freely now. I sniff to keep everything where it should be. Rett passes me a tissue. I try to give him a smile, but what’s the point. Lucca brings me into his chest. I wrap my arms around his waist and let the floodgates open. My best friend is gone, doesn’t want to listen to me. I’m glad she will still talk to her brother if anything that isn’t ruined.

“We have something else to talk about with you,” Lucca says.

“Lay it on me.” I sniffed.

“It’s about the note that was left. Turns out the person after us this entire time is a dear old friend of ours. He left his calling card in the envelope.”

“So, what you’re saying is. If I gave it to you sooner, none of this would’ve happened. It is my fucking fault.” I cry harder.

“No Charlotte. It’s not. It’s our fault,” Rett growls.

“It’s personal now. It’s time to end this fucker,” Nico adds.

I look around the table taking in everyone’s expressions. Eyes hardened, lips thinned. Ready to take on the world. This is one battle that I’m joining if they like it or not.

This asshole involved me, too.

The days are drawing longer. With Antonio’s new supplier, we are back on schedule with deals. We are working extra hard to catch up ever since our little raid happened. Last time I heard Frank made a full recovery, but he’s taking time off work. We only need to deal with one Scott Holmes still. He’s still watching us. Now that Charlie is with me, I’m trying my hardest to take it easy on the old man. I only need a way for him to stay out of our business. I can’t use Charlie this time around. I did that once and won’t do it again.

Ever since we got a hold of that fucking note, we started planning our take down. A one Colin Thompson is a Seth Atwood. I knew something was familiar with his walk. Also helps when I gave him that walk, a baseball bat to the kneecaps will do wonders I tell you. It does have to be aluminum, or the effects aren’t the same. Should’ve hit harder now that I think about it. Thatfigais nothing but problems for my entire family. Killing his brother was necessary. He wanted to join our family. Did everything he had to, but when I found out he was telling his brother our plans, that was the end of that. We don’t tolerate rats.

It was then that the war between the Atwood’s and the Russo’s started. It’s been slowly escalating, but Seth has taken it to the extreme now. Delivering body parts isn’t like him. This is bringing something new to the table and I’m going to end him once and for all.

“Lucca, can you come here for a second?” Charlie’s sweet voice calls to me from downstairs. I’ve been working in our bedroom trying to relax if I could. Making my way downstairs, I can already smell cinnamon mixed with apples my stomach lets out a loud rumble. Entering the kitchen, I take in the sight.

Both Ada and Charlie are at the island wearing matching aprons with huge smiles.

“Look Daddy, we made you a pie.” Ada with her face-splitting grin pointing to the pie.

“We thought you could use the break. You’ve been working too much lately,” Charlie added softly.

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